Search

North Campus Open Space (NCOS) is a large-scale restored habitat in the historic Devereaux slough in Goleta, California. Forty-four plywood cover boards measuring 3’ x 4’ were dispersed across NCOS in four distinct habitats (grassland, woodland, coast sage scrubland, and marshland). For over 4 years, researchers have tracked the presence of animals under these coverboards, mostly small rodents and herpetofauna, following the area’s habitat restoration. Patterns of their distribution are increasingly understood as surveys continue; however, little is known about the patterns of invertebrate distribution and the factors influencing them. Invertebrates provide essential ecosystem functions as they break down organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, and they can serve as insightful bioindicators of ecosystem health. Previous studies documented that in agricultural systems, mean annual precipitation and soil pH are the largest predictors of soil invertebrate richness. In this study, we test whether these variables accurately predict patterns of invertebrate richness in a restored ecosystem. We focused on two diverse macroinvertebrate taxa, Coleoptera (beetles) and Arachnida (spiders). By collecting, curating, and identifying beetles and spiders under each coverboard we were able to establish what species reside in the various habitats. We took measurements of the soil pH under each board as well as the humidity in the interspace between the soil and the board as a proxy for mean annual precipitation. Our preliminary data suggest that soil pH and relative humidity partially contribute to the distribution of macroinvertebrates within habitats. However, other factors such as cohabitation, soil type, adjacent vegetation, or other factors involved in nutrient cycling, could have larger effects on the distribution patterns of these taxa.This poster was presented at the UCSB undergraduate research colloquium 2024.

Based on an inclusion in Baltic amber, the first extinct species of the genus Hyperisus Mulsant and Rey, 1863 (Ptinidae: Ernobiinae: Xestobiini), namely H. carstengroehni sp. nov. is described. This new fossil Eocene species differs from extant European congeners in having the dorsal pubescence of two types; the lesser body size; the abdominal ventrite 5 punctate; the dorsal pubescence evenly dense; the antennal club longer than antennomeres 1–8 combined; and in the details of dorsal punctation. Provisional biogeographical affinities of the described Baltic amber Ptinidae (as of July 2023) are briefly analysed. All 20 extant genera known in Baltic amber (100% of analysed assemblage) still inhabit Holarctic of Recent. The ptinid assemblage of Baltic amber is almost twice closer in the composition of genera to the extant fauna of Palearctic or Nearctic than to other regions. Possible explanations are proposed for the abundance of death-watch beetles in Baltic amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphine is a widely utilized fumigant insecticide in stored-product facilities; however, its excessive application and improper usage have contributed to the emergence of resistance in insect populations. Although phosphine resistance is globally recognized, limited studies address its effects across different developmental stages. This research investigates the efficacy of phosphine on the eggs of major stored-product pests, including Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), Tribolium castaneum, and T. confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), focusing on strains with varying levels of phosphine susceptibility. Egg hatching rates were analyzed following exposure to phosphine concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 ppm for durations of 1 to 7 days. Predictive models were constructed to correlate phosphine concentration and exposure time, facilitating the determination of optimal pest control strategies. The findings reveal significant differences in efficacy among species and strains, with eggs from susceptible strains experiencing complete hatch failure at 50 ppm, while resistant strains showed higher tolerance. Lethal time (LT50 and LT99) values were determined, with LT99 ranging from 6.91 to 12.95 days at 50 ppm, highlighting species-specific and age-related differences in phosphine susceptibility. Lethal concentration (LC50 and LC99) values could only be estimated for T. castaneum, with LC99 for 1-day-old eggs ranging from 773.67 ppm to 923.03 ppm after 2.5 days of exposure. Furthermore, egg age influenced susceptibility, with 2-day-old eggs exhibiting greater mortality compared to 1-day-old eggs. This study underscores the critical role of phosphine concentration, exposure duration, and developmental stage in resistance management, providing valuable insights for enhancing fumigation protocols and improving the control of stored-product pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beauveria bassiana AAD16, isolated from Allomyrina dichotoma, shows promise as a mycoinsecticide against various coleopterans. However, assessing non-target impacts on beneficial beetles like ladybirds is crucial before commercialization. Here we assessed the compatibility between ladybird beetles and B. bassiana AAD16. The virulence of the AAD16 strain was compared with that of an available commercial strain, B. bassiana GHA, for two developmental stages (adults and 3rd instar larvae) of two coccinellids, Harmonia axyridis Pallas and Chilocorus spp. Say using the topical (1μl) application method. The ST50 for the two life stages of the two ladybird beetles were not different between the two tested fungal strains. Mycosis rates recorded from the dead bodies were also not significant except in the 3rd instar which showed 36 and 63% from AAD16 and GHA strains in H. axyridis, while those of Chilocorus spp. were 40 and 63%, respectively. In adult stage, the mycosis rates of H. axyridis (males and females tested separately) were (20–23) % and (26–30) % from the AAD16 and GHA strains, while those of Chilocorus spp. (unsexed) were 23 and 30%, respectively. AAD16 caused similar rates of mortality in the adult stages of both species. Therefore, we conclude that B. bassiana AAD16 would not increase risk to these beneficial insects compared to a similar pathogen commercialized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides are crucial components of the immune systems of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Here, defensins, the most studied class of antimicrobial molecules in arthropods were investigated in four coleopteran insect species: Harpalus rufipes (DeGeer, 1774), Mylabris quadripunctata (Linnaeus, 1767), Sphaeridium marginatum (Linnaeus, 1758), and Ocypus mus (Brullé, 1832). The peptides synthesized with over 95% purity and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated by MIC test method. As a result, it was determined that Mylabris quadripunctata defensin (MqDef) showed high antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, whereas Sphaeridium marginatum (SmDef) and Harpalus rufipes (HrDef) defensins against Candida tropicalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tenebrionidae beetles are a conspicuous element of most arid and semi-arid environments. In this paper, the two sympatric darkling beetles’ species Erodius emondi (N = 21) and Pimelia grossa (N = 21), collected from the coastal dunes of Korba, are chosen to characterize their locomotor activity rhythm under laboratory conditions under natural light–dark cycle then under constant darkness. Our results highlighted the existence of diurnal behaviour for both species with the presence of ultradian and circadian components, whatever the experimental conditions. These two species exhibited in majority multimodal activity patterns under entraining conditions. Under constant darkness, we noted the appearance, in addition to the multimodal profile, the unimodal and bimodal ones for E. emondi and P. grossa respectively. The specimens of this last species were statistically more active displaying also the most important stability of their locomotor rhythm compared to those of E. emondi. The obtained results will be discussed in relation to their temporal niches segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spectacular diversity of forms and features allow species to thrive in different environments, yet some structures remain relatively unchanged. Insect compound eyes are easily recognizable despite dramatic differences in visual abilities across species. It is unknown whether distant insect species use similar or different mechanisms to pattern their eyes or what types of genetic changes produce diversity of form and function. We find that flies, mosquitos, butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, honeybees, and crickets use homologous developmental programs to pattern their retinas. Transcription factor expression can be used to establish homology of different photoreceptor (PR) types across the insects: Prospero (Pros) for R7, Spalt (Sal) for R7+R8, and Defective proventriculus (Dve) for R1-6. Using gene knockout (CRISPR/Cas9) in houseflies, butterflies, and crickets and gene knockdown (RNAi) in beetles, we found that like Drosophila, EGFR and Sevenless (Sev) signaling pathways are required to recruit motion and color vision PRs, though Drosophila have a decreased reliance on Sev signaling relative to other insects. Despite morphological and physiological variation across species, retina development passes through a highly conserved phylotypic stage when the unit eyes (ommatidia) are first patterned. This patterning process likely represents an "insect eye ground plan" that is established by an ancient developmental program. We identify three types of developmental patterning modifications (ground plan modification, nonstochastic patterns, and specialized regions) that allow for the diversification of insect eyes. We suggest that developmental divergence after the ground plan is established is responsible for the exceptional diversity observed across insect visual systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the attachment ability of harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), focusing on the synergic action of opposite legs, the anisotropy of adhesive organs and sexual dimorphism. Contrary to expectations, experiments showed that beetles with fewer legs sometimes exhibited higher attachment forces, challenging the hypothesis that collective leg action enhances attachment. This result is attributed to differences in experimental set‐ups, where our centrifugal method highlighted the importance of pad orientation relative to external forces. The anisotropy of adhesive pads, characterized by the directional dependence of adhesion and friction, significantly influenced attachment performance. Results demonstrated that inward‐oriented legs enhanced attachment due to lower peeling angles, whereas outward orientation reduced effectiveness. Sexual dimorphism was evident in the structure of adhesive pads, with males possessing discoidal setae on fore‐ and midlegs. No significant difference in attachment was observed between intact males and females on smooth surfaces, although ablated males sometimes showed higher forces due to the presence of discoidal setae. These findings underscore that attachment strength in H. axyridis is not solely dependent on pad area but also on the orientation and anisotropic properties of adhesive organs, as well as the specific role of sexual dimorphism in leg morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the five known Trogidae genera, Polynoncus is the only one endemic to South America. Although the systematics within Trogidae is well established, the evolutionary relationships among Polynoncus species remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on maximum parsimony, using the equal and implicit weighting algorithm with all characters, in TNT v.1.5 software. The assembled data matrix consisted of 98 morphological characters scored for 48 taxa. Our results corroborate the monophyletic status of Polynoncus and its sister-group relationship with the genus Omorgus , both within Omorginae. In Polynoncus , three main lineages were recovered: (i) clade ' pedestris ', with four species occurring mostly in the Andes; (ii) clade ' pilularius ', whose species have been most reported in the temperate zone of South America; and (iii) clade ' brevicollis ', whose species are distributed from the arid zones of Argentina and Chile to Peru, following through the Andes. This is the first species-level phylogeny presented for Trogidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a new species and a new record of Proctolaelaps. Proctolaelaps taiyuanensissp. nov. was found on the body surface of Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytinae); Proctolaelaps bickleyi (Bram) was collected from the culture medium of lab-raised Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). An identification key to the species of Proctolaelaps from China is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The paper contains data of a newly discovered species of the powderpost beetles family, which was caught in northern Thailand. The new species, described and presented in photos, has a two-segmented club of antennae, a novelty among all the known species related to it, which occur in the Oriental region. Additionally, the paper includes a diagnosis, which contains morphological comparisons of the new species with other Asian species. The included discussion presents the characteristics of the tribe the new species belongs to; for the listed 12 characteristics of the tribe, comments and remarks are presented. The presented analysis clearly shows that the recently described tribe was wrongly defined. The final effect of the discussion is synonymising the wrongly defined tribe. The final part of the paper includes a key for the identification of all known species occurring in the Oriental region and belonging to the same genus as the newly described species. The paper presents a description of a new species of the genus Cephalotoma Lesne, caught in northern Thailand. The new species, C. patcharinae Borowski n. sp., is the first species in the Oriental region with a two-segmented club of antennae. The effect of the discussion presented in the paper is synonymising the tribe Cephalotomini Liu and Schönitzer, 2011 n. syn. with Trogoxylini Lesne, 1921. Moreover, the paper contains a key to classify all the species known from the Oriental region and belonging to the genus Cephalotoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Xenoceraspis is reviewed on the basis on the study of the type material of all taxa involved. Currently, three valid species are included in the genus: X. calcarata, X. kurseongana and X. longimacularia. A key to the identification of Xenoceraspis is provided and the currently known distribution of all species is mapped. Xenoceraspis calcarata is recorded for the first time from Sichuan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) are general predators that feed primarily on mosquito larvae and can control their populations, but the evidence for such an assumption remains weak. Rhantus elevatus is an important predator of this group distributed in Egypt with both larval and adult stages preying on immature mosquito. For determine predator effectiveness, it is requisite to identify the functional response (a = rate of attack and Th = time of handling) and searching efficacy (at = area of discovery and m = mutual interference) as both correlate with biocontrol efficacy. This study assessed the density‐dependent mortality of Culex pipiens larvae by eliciting functional responses of third‐instar and adult predators at prey density ranging from 100 to 500 larvae per arena. By contrast, a searching efficacy for the same predator stages was examined at densities ranging from one to five predators per 500 prey. Predation rates of third‐instar and adult of R. elevatus were fitted by a model of Type II response with coefficients were: third‐instar (a = 0.208 h−1 and Th = 2413 h) and adult (a = 0.1191 h−1 and Th = 3723 h). The maximum number of mosquitoes which can be devoured by an individual larva and adult of R. elevatus within 24 h was 99.46 and 64.46 prey, respectively. The area of discovery for the larval stage declined more steeply than the adult stage of the predator as their density increased from one to five individuals, indicating more interference estimated for the larval stage. Considering these characteristics, larvae would seem to be the most effective stage against low mosquito populations due to low predation risk compared to that generated at high predator densities in the same arena from intra‐specific interference. Eventually, we suggested a ratio of 1:100 (predator per prey) must be considered in biocontrol plans for mosquitoes. Summary: Prey effects and predator densities for the diving beetle, Understanding the predator–prey interaction is a fundamental aspect of community ecology, and a key component of this relationship is the rate at which the predator eats the prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in Entomological News discusses the first teratological cases of Euglossa tridentata and Euglossa variabilis, focusing on anomalies in insects characterized by abnormal morphological features or loss of symmetry. The study examines the factors that can trigger such conditions in insects, such as genetic abnormalities, developmental changes, and physical or chemical damage. The documentation of teratological cases in insects is limited, with most reports focusing solely on describing the malformations, making it challenging to determine the underlying causes in teratological individuals. [Extracted from the article]

Nemognatha chrysomelina (Fabricius, 1775) is recorded from Beshgram, Chitral, KPK, Pakistan for the first time. This discovery expands the known range of this species and provides a new country record for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcodes lobocanthussp. n. is described from Yala Province, southern Thailand. Habitus and genitalia of male and female are illustrated. Distribution of Calcodes aeratus (Hope, 1833) in Thailand is also confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sperm competition is known to favor the evolution of male traits that confer an advantage in gaining fertilizations when females mate multiply. Ejaculate production can be costly and the strategic allocation of sperm in relation to the sperm competition environment is a taxonomically widespread phenomenon. However, variation among males in their ability to adjust ejaculate allocation has rarely been explored. Here, we manipulated the phenotypic condition of male seed beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus , via larval diet quality and measured ejaculate allocation across varying levels of sperm competition manipulated using olfactory cues. Furthermore, we asked how strategic ejaculation was impacted by previous ejaculation. We found no variation in ejaculate allocation in response to experimentally manipulated cues to sperm competition. Ejaculate allocation was reduced by a male's previous mating history but was unaffected by the larval diets on which males were reared. We suggest that either male seed beetles are unable to adjust ejaculate size to the immediate competitive environment, or that sperm displacement strategies employed by males favor maximal investment at all mating events, especially when unmated females are infrequently encountered. As our study is one of few to examine condition dependence in strategic ejaculation, emphasis should be placed on future studies investigating this possibility across a wider range of taxa and animal mating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological niche models and species distribution models (SDMs) are tools that can define a species' niche based on presence records and identify those areas where appropriate ecological conditions converge as zones of potential distribution for the species. SDMs help to optimise conservation efforts, particularly important in countries with ecological and economical problems. We constructed SDMs by means of the Maxent algorithm for 160 species of scarab beetles (Scarabaeoidea) to identify chorotypes and important zones for conservation in El Salvador, and to evaluate richness representativity within the System of Protected Natural Areas (SANP). The chorotypes were identified with UPGMA method, with a matrix of presence‐absence in ≈3 km2, and important zones for conservation were identified with the Zonation algorithm. The richness representation in the SANP was done with EstimateS, comparing the estimated by Chao 2 ± confidence intervals (95%) in the same number of cells (n = 811). We identified five chorotypes: (C1) lowland and middleland species, (C2) species widely distributed, (C3) species with an affinity for mid‐elevations, (C4) species limited to lowlands, and (C5) species limited to high montane areas. Most important conservation zones are located in montane regions. As in other tropical areas, the volcanic and montane slopes of El Salvador represent key areas for conserving biodiversity. Species richness in the SANP was not significantly greater than that outside the system; therefore, we recommend continuous prioritisation and amplification of the protected natural heritage of the country, with emphasis on the mountainous area of the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Males and females share most of the genome, but many animals show different phenotypes between the sexes, known as sexual dimorphism. Many insect species show extreme sexual dimorphism, including beetles with "weapon traits" represented by extremely developed horns and mandibles. Existing studies of sex‐specific development of beetle weapon traits suggest that sex‐specific gene expression plays an important role. On the other hand, contributions of the Y‐chromosome, which may potentially carry genes necessary for male development, to weapon trait expression have not been examined. In holometabolous insects, including beetles, the feminizing gene transformer (tra) is roughly conserved in its feminizing function. Only females express a functional isoform of Tra, which causes female differentiation. Knocking down tra in females leads to male tissue differentiation, enabling us to analyze male phenotypes in individuals lacking a Y‐chromosome (XX‐males). In this study, we investigate whether the Y‐chromosome is necessary for stag beetles to express male‐specific weapon traits by comparing tra‐knockdown‐induced XX‐males with natural XY males. We show that XX‐males could express weapons (enlarged mandibles) as in XY‐males. These results suggest that the Y‐chromosome does not have a major role in weapon trait expression in this species. Research Highlights: Developmental roles of Y‐chromosome on male‐specific mandible growth in stag beetles were analyzed. "XX‐male" was induced from females by suppressing feminizer gene. These XX‐males had developed mandibles, indicating the Y‐chromosome's limited role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Central Europe, species‐rich grasslands are threatened by intensive agriculture with frequent mowing, contributing to the reduction of arthropods such as insects and spiders. However, comprehensive and standardised studies on the direct effects of the two most agriculturally relevant mowing techniques, e.g., double‐blade bar mower versus disc mower, are lacking. In a 2‐year experiment, we have investigated the direct effect of mowing on eight abundant arthropod groups in grassland, covering two seasonal mowing events in both years, using a randomised block design. We compared (a) an unmown control, (b) a double‐blade bar mower and (c) a disc mower. For most of the taxonomic groups studied, a significantly lower number of individuals was found in the experimental plots immediately after mowing, regardless of the mowing technique, compared to an unmown control. This was not the case for Orthoptera and Coleoptera, which did not show a significant reduction in the number of individuals for both mowing techniques (Orthoptera) or only for the double‐blade bar mower (Coleoptera). Between both mowing techniques, no significant differences were found for all taxonomic groups investigated. Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that mowing in general has a negative impact on abundant arthropod groups in grassland, regardless of the method used. Tractor‐driven double‐blade bar mowers do not seem to be a truly insect‐friendly alternative to a conventional disc mower. Other factors such as cutting height and mowing regimes should be seriously considered to protect spiders and insects from the negative effects of mowing. In addition, we strongly recommend the maintenance of unmown refugia. Insects and spiders that are spared by mowing can take refuge in these unmown areas to avoid subsequent harvesting and thermally unfavourable conditions that arise on mown areas. Further, unmown refugia are basic habitat structures for a subsequent recolonisation of mown areas once the flora has recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Food availability shapes morphology, physiology, growth, reproduction, and overall fitness of insects. Countless research in coccinellids reported the effect of diet in terms of quality and quantity on reproductive output. But fewer studies have reported the direct effects of food on the gonadal development in both sexes. In nature, ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata exhibit food preference, favouring Aphis craccivora (nutritious prey) over Aphis nerii (poor prey). We hypothesized that beetles consuming nutritious prey in abundant quantity will have larger and heavier gonads. The current study assessed the effect of food preferred and its fluctuations on the gonadal development of C. sexmaculata. First instars were collected randomly from experimental stock and reared on two different diet regimes for a lifetime. After eclosion, beetles from each dietary regime were dissected daily to assess gonadal development until maturity. Here, we documented total developmental duration, body weight, weight of gonads, GSI, total area of gonads, length, and number of testicular lobules/ovarioles across different treatments. Both quality and quantity of diet significantly affected development period, body weight, and gonadal parameters in both sexes except for GSI in males and number of ovarioles in females that reared on varied diet quality, which were found to be similar. Aphis craccivora in abundant supply positively affected the growth and development of the gonads in C. sexmaculata. Beetles reared on the abundant supply of nutritious prey with larger and heavier gonads than those reared on limited supply or poor prey. This study improves our understanding of the development of gonads in ladybird beetles, which may be helpful in improving the mass rearing of ladybird beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Thinodromus (s. str.) sabbangensis sp. n. from the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. Based on the structure of the abdominal tergites, the new species belongs to the "Apocellagria" group. Currently, the Apocellagria group includes 12 species: four of them live in tropical Africa, and eight are known from Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study describes for the first time the trophic ecology of Rhinella lescurei from the eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The stomach contents of the individuals were obtained through the flushing method during the rainy season. A total of 130 stomachs were flushed, of which 75 (57.70%) had stomach contents, with a total of 881 food items distributed among 10 prey categories, with 22 ant genera. Formicidae was the most important prey category. Rhinella lescurei demonstrated a narrow niche breadth, suggesting a more specialist behavior, as observed in the feeding strategy analysis. We found Coleoptera, Araneae and Formicidae as the most abundant prey in the diet shared among the sexes, which showed more than one association in network analysis, and the Crematogaster as the most abundant ants on the diet of males and juveniles, and Sericomyrmex for females. We observed a positive effect of the snout-vent length on the total volume of prey consumed. The Body Condition Index indicated that both smaller and larger individuals have the same nutritional status. Our study adds new data on the natural history of a species still poorly known from the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: One of the advanced field in 5G cellular networks is the Massive Multiple‐Input‐Multiple‐Output (MIMO), which creates a massive antenna array by offering numerous antennas at the destination. This grows as a hot research topic in the wireless sectors as it enhances the volume and spectrum usage of the channel. The spectral efficiency (SE) is maximized using the abundant antennas employed by MIMO using spatial multiplexing of consumers, which needs precise channel state information (CSI). The SE is affected by both pilot overhead and pilot contamination. To mitigate the contamination and to estimate the suitable channel for communication, an efficient strategy is introduced using the proposed Namib Beetle Aquila optimization (NBAO)_Deep Q network (DQN). Here, the optimal pilot location is identified by employing NBAO, which is an integration of Namib beetle optimization (NBO) and Aquila optimizer (AO). Moreover, DQN is introduced to determine the suitable channel and metrics, such as bit error rate (BER) and normalized mean square error (MSE) is used for evaluation. The normalized MSE channel estimation is utilized to mitigate the effects of pilot contamination. Additionally, designed NBAO + DQN have attained a value of 0.0006 and 0.0005 for BER and normalized MSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 334 species, the subtribe Xanthopygina forms a diverse and ecologically dominant component of the Neotropical beetle fauna, ranging from the southern United States south to Argentina. Species can be abundant in a variety of microhabitats and are frequently encountered in tropical forests. Although a number of morphologically distinct genera are now well defined and identifiable, the subtribe still suffers from several poorly defined genera with relatively generalized morphology. The worst of these is the genus Gastrisus Sharp, which has never had a morphological definition per se and has, over time, accumulated many morphologically disparate species. This nebulous concept of Gastrisus has further made it difficult to generically assign and describe new species. Here we assembled a phylogenomic dataset using anchored hybrid enrichment across a broad sample of Xanthopygina, including nearly all described genera, a representation of morphological variation within Gastrisus and a number of undescribed taxa we were unable to assign to a genus. Both maximum likelihood and coalescent analyses converged on a well resolved and stable topology for the subtribe, which will serve as a critical framework for continued taxonomic progress in Xanthopygina. Nine major lineages were identified, most congruent with previous work. The limits of Gastrisus were successfully identified, and the monophyletic core of the genus was recovered as sister to a redefined Nausicotus Sharp, which included Torobus syn. n. Several large species of Gastrisus were resolved as a clade of the Xanthopygus group and are here placed in Drepanagrios gen. n. An additional six new genera were discovered but will be described and treated in detail in future papers. In addition to Gastrisus, Phanolinus Sharp, Xenopygus Bernhauer, Phanolinopsis Scheerpeltz and Ocyolinus Sharp were recovered as paraphyletic, resulting in Elecatopselaphus syn. n. (=Phanolinus), the re‐validation of Leptodiastemus Bernhauer stat. ressur. and the redefinition of Xenopygus, Phanolinopsis and Ocyolinus. We propose Phanolinus scheerpeltzi nom. n. as a replacement name for Phanolinus peruvianus (Scheerpeltz 1972, nec Bernhauer 1917) (previously Elecatopselaphus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hadda beetle, also known as Henosepilachna vigintiactopunctata, was a significant pest of Ashwagnada, a medicinal plant grown extensively in the subtropical area, particularly in India. In the laboratory experiment, the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Heterorhabditis indica were evaluated for their infectivity and mortality effects on the grubs of hadda beetle at various concentrations viz., 1, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) per 20 grubs against four distinct periods (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) maintained at a temperature of 30°C. The study demonstrated that the highest mortality rates were achieved at a concentration of 100 infective juveniles (IJs) per 20 grubs after 96 h. Despite the initial applications showing relatively low mortality percentages, the most effective larval control occurred after the 96 hrs of the exposure period. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of infective juveniles and the exposure period for larval mortality. Application of H. indica at the rate of 231.66 IJs/grub can cause up to 90 percent mortality in the grub population under field conditions. The findings of these studies highlight the promising potential of H. indca as an eco-friendly and sustainable method for controlling hadda beetle grubs in ashwaganda cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beetle family Cimberididae (pine cone weevils) consists of one extant subfamily, Cimberidinae, and two tribes, Cimberidini and Doydirhynchini, both limited in distribution to the Northern Hemisphere. Cimberidini comprise the genera Acromacer Kuschel, Cimberis Gozis and Pityomacer Kuschel and Doydirhynchini the genera Doydirhynchus Dejean and Lecontellus Kuschel. The larvae and adults of all known extant Cimberididae are palynophagous (pollen-feeding) in the male strobili of conifers of the genus Pinus (L.) (Pinaceae). We reconstructed the phylogeny of Cimberididae using data from 420 nuclear genes obtained via anchored hybrid enrichment. Our taxon sample included six species representing all described extant genera of Cimberididae except Pityomacer, which was unavailable for study. Most relationships in the resulting maximum-likelihood trees based on nucleotide and amino-acid sequence data were recovered with maximal bootstrap support. Both trees showed a monophyletic family Cimberididae, containing two clades corresponding to the tribes Cimberidini and Doydirhynchini. In Cimberidini, Cimberis was rendered paraphyletic by Acromacer bombifrons (LeConte). Notably, the internal and terminal branches of Cimberidini were very short compared to other parts of the tree. Generic relationships are discussed according to the phylogenetic results. To make the genus Cimberis monophyletic, we synonymize the names Cimberis Gozis, 1881 and Acromacer Kuschel, 1989 (syn. n.) and re-establish the combination Cimberis bombifrons (LeConte, 1876), proposed by Kuschel (1959). This study provides the first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the palynophagous weevil family Cimberididae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asopinae are a group of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) distinctive by having predatory feeding habits, preying on other insects, especially larvae of butterflies, moths, and beetles. Many species are common, and due to their alimentary strategies, some are objects for application in biological control programs. Podisus Herrich-Schäffer is the most diverse genus of Asopinae, distributed in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, and their species have received attention in applied studies since the second half of the 20th century. However, the systematics of Podisus is still overlooked, and the lack of robust taxonomic information and poor species delimitation lead to misidentifications. We searched for the type specimens of Podisus deposited in the NHMUK, NHRS, MNHN, and RBINS collections in order to validate the taxonomic status of the species, and to proceed with the necessary taxonomic updates. We propose four new synonymies: Podisus volxemi Distant new junior synonym of Podisus crassimargo (Stål); Ornithosoma rivierei Kormilev and monotypic genus Ornithosoma Kormilev as new junior synonyms of Podisus semialbus Walker and genus Podisus respectively. Podisus dufouri Bergroth and Podisus punctiger Stål are revalidated, and Podisus cornutus (Dallas) is treated as species inquirenda. Five new species are described and fully illustrated: Podisus amboroensis Brugnera, sp. nov., Podisus awajun Brugnera, sp. nov., Podisus bororo Brugnera Grazia, sp. nov., Podisus guarani Brugnera & Grazia, sp. nov., and Podisus quechua Brugnera & Sampaio, sp. nov.. We highlight the importance of the examination of type material, historical specimens, and descriptions in the taxonomy of Podisus, and suggest caution in the identification of species due to the expressive number of incongruences found in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic entomology relies on known geographic ranges and seasonal presence of forensically relevant insects. In the Northeastern United States, there is no information on species in the region in early spring. Two forensic entomology workshops took place in April of 2023 and 2024 in Milton, Massachusetts. During this workshop, practitioners were trained in the appropriate collection and storage techniques prior to a practical experience including the collection of insects from pig and rabbit remains. All insects collected were identified down to family or species level. Across both years, Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was the fly consistently colonizing remains and was the oldest immature larvae in all instances. Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae) were additional flies co‐colonizing remains with P. regina. Other species were found as adults surrounding the remains that included other necrophagous fly species, beetles, and ants. Variation in insects collected between years likely due to high temperature variation. This documentation of species provides context to forensically related flies expected in Eastern Massachusetts and provides research directives in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern larch beetle Dendroctonus simplex LeConte has been outbreaking for the past two decades in the Great Lakes region of North America, impacting approximately 400,000 hectares of eastern larch Larix laricina (tamarack) forest in Minnesota, United States, alone. Range expansions of some Dendroctonus species driven by climate change have occurred across North America as rising temperatures increase climatically suitable habitats across latitudes and elevations. The range of eastern larch beetle is currently sympatric to that of its host, eastern larch, but the insect could, in theory, eventually access ranges of other species of Larix native to North America. We compared host suitability of two potential novel hosts, western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) and subalpine larch (Larix lyalli Parl.) against the beetle's native host, eastern larch, using a reproductive success experiment conducted in cut bolts of all three species. We measured fertility, maternal gallery length, and offspring size and lipid content as metrics of reproductive success. We found beetles could reproduce in both novel Larix species, with subalpine larch having high levels of success compared to the beetle's native host, eastern larch. These findings suggest that subalpine larch may be at risk should a range expansion of eastern larch beetle occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "New data on Monoxia obesula Blake, 1939 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the province of Albacete (Spain)" presents information on the expansion of this small beetle in the Mediterranean region. It highlights its impact on plants such as Atriplex halimus and the lack of measures to control its advance. The presence of Monoxia obesula was observed in Albacete in 2024, severely affecting local plants. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Interesting captures of two histerids (Coleoptera, Histeridae) in the Community of Madrid" highlights the presence of two species of Histeridae beetles in the region. Epigeal arthropod samplings have been carried out on livestock paths, capturing individuals of Platylister algiricus and Hypocaccus crassipes. These captures represent the first locations of these species in the Community of Madrid, suggesting a wide distribution in the area. [Extracted from the article]

The article describes a new species of Himascelis Sen Gupta, 1978 (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae) from Taiwan, called Himascelis smetani sp. nov. A key to the species of Himascelis from Taiwan is presented and two previous species are rehabilitated. The study contributes to the knowledge of the entomofauna of Taiwan and its relationship with central and southern China. [Extracted from the article]

Phytelephas macrocarpa is a dioecious palm that lacks studies on the entomofauna that visit its flowers in western Amazonia. In this study we identified the insect visitors and their interaction with the inflorescences of P. macrocarpa in two localities in northwestern Peruvian Amazonia. Additionally, the richness and abundance of these insects was determined. For this purpose, six inflorescences were collected per locality (three male and three female). During field trips, the interactions of the insects on the inflorescences were observed. A total of 28 106 insects distributed in 27 species were recorded, where Amazoncharis sp., Aleochara sp. and Anchylorhynchus sp. were the most abundant. Twelve species were also recognized as pollinators, 10 as pollinivores and 5 as saprophagous. The floral visitor community is mainly composed of insects of the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera. The families Staphylinidae, Curculionidae and Nitidulidae are the main pollination-related visitors, which help in the reproductive biology of the palm and, therefore, contribute to the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite aquatic coleoptera are a well-studied group in the Iberian Peninsula, at a smaller spatial scale, there are still areas with scarcity in their inventories. Using an extensive database, which compiles bibliographic citations and unpublished samplings carried out in the area from the 1980s to the present, the catalogue of aquatic Coleoptera species from central Sierra Morena has been updated and contains 144 species, 22 of which are Iberian endemism. 19 species are cited for the first time in the province of Cordoba. New information on rare, endemic or threatened species of Central Sierra Morena is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the surroundings of Mostaganem (Northwest Algeria) was sampled during 2019-2020 by means of pitfall trapping. More than 100 species were collected of which seven are firstly cited for Algeria, Notiophilus marginatus Gené, 1839; Agonum (Olisares) lugens (Duftschmid, 1812); Platyderus (Eremoderus) insignitus insignitus, Bedel, 1902; Laemostenus (Pristonychus) terricola terricola (Herbst, 1784); Gynandromorphus etruscus, (Quensel, 1806); Ophonus (Metophonus) rufibarbis (Fabricius, 1792); Bradycellus (Bradycellus) sharpi, Joy, 1912. Records of other four species confirm recent or old citations: Siagona jenissoni Dejean, 1826; Olisthopus elongatus Wollaston, 1854; Olisthopus fuscatus Dejean, 1828; Platytarus gracilis gracilis (Dejean, 1831). Data on their distribution and habitat preferences are commented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important tapeworms (cestodes) of poultry of India are Choanotaenia infundibulum, Raillietina cesticillus, R tetragona, R. echinobothrida and Cotugnia digonopora. Altogether nine species of beetles and sixteen species of ants served as intermediate hosts which harboured cysticercoids of these tapeworms. The frequency of incidence of cysticercoids, micrometry of cysticercoids, minimum time for development of tapeworms in final hosts and periodicity of segment discharge are discussed. Significant importance has to be given for the selection of site and its location to construct poultry farms. The dumping yards of manure and vegetable wastes are to be located away. Filthy surroundings have to be avoided as they attract beetles to breed and multiply. Search may be made for the presence of ant-hills or nests nearby to poultry yards. Control measures against the intermediate hosts likely to enter poultry houses and their vicinities have to be implemented considering the eco-friendly surroundings safer for chicks Borax powder, diatomaceous earth (silica or silicon dioxide) or multi-control insecticide powders would be kept near ant-moving areas. Spreading borax powder around ant-hills or pouring boiling water on them would destroy ant-colony and mounds. Spraying insecticides on breeding places of beetles would check their multiplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents two new individual forms, one of Carabus (Chrysocarabus) splendens Olivier, 1790, and the other of C. (Chrysocarabus) punctatoauratus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Both forms are extremely hypochromatic. In addition, the author discusses the coloration process in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1970 and 2019, 43 species of Longhorn beetles were found on the west side of the Brussels Capital Region. Since then, four new species have been captured: Stenocorus meridianus (Linnaeus, 1758), Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky, 1860), Agapanthia cardui (Linnaeus, 1767), and Xylotrechus rusticus (Linnaeus, 1758). The likely reasons for these discoveries could be more friendly management to enhance the biodiversity in forested areas, the mild winters over the past decades and intensive commerce with Asian countries. An illustrated enumeration of the four species is given, complemented by details about their discovery, some characteristics, their way of living and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white grub, Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a significant pest of yam tubers and the second cause of tuber rot in Haiti. Larval feeding inflicts severe damage to tubers, leading to notable losses due to decreased tuber quality, reduced marketability and increased susceptibility to secondary parasites and pathogens. This study examined the influence of planting and harvesting dates on the vulnerability of yam tubers to white grub infestation and the resulting tuber quality across 24 farmers' fields. At harvest, we assessed the level of tuber infestation, white grub density and the tuber quality index. The results indicated that 85% of grub populations were found in fields planted on the traditional date. In addition, 69.5% of tuber damage occurred in early‐planted fields with fewer tubers damaged (30%) when harvested early. In contrast, in fields planted 30 days after the traditional date, the harvest date did not affect tuber infestation and damage by the pest. Overall, both planting and harvest dates impacted the quality grade of yam tubers. Delayed planting by 30 days and early harvesting (34th–38th week after planting) improved the marketability of yams. These findings highlight the importance of optimising planting and harvest schedules to better manage white grub infestation and enhance the marketability of yam tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), commonly known as the Asian lady beetle, is a native insect species of Asia that has been intentionally introduced to various regions for biocontrol purposes. However, its widespread presence beyond its original release sites suggests a high degree of invasiveness. In this study, we utilized the CRISPR‐Cas9 approach to achieve precise genome editing in H. axyridis. Specifically, we targeted two genes in H. axyridis, laccase2 and scarlet, knockdown of which orthologues in other insects showed visible phenotypic changes. The knockout laccase2 resulted not only in an early‐detectable phenotype but also in lethality. However, we successfully established a viable and genetically stable mutant colony by disrupting the scarlet gene, resulting in beetles with white eyes. Our findings contribute to the expanding knowledge of genetic manipulation in H. axyridis and provide insights into its potential for future research and practical applications for biocontrol and invasive species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substrate-borne vibrational communication is commonly used by herbivorous insects to communicate intraspecific information. This form of communication is underexplored and many discoveries of the form and functional significance of these vibrations have yet to be made. Here, we add red milkweed beetles, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) to the record of arthropods that communicate with these plant-borne vibrations. Red milkweed beetles, like other cerambycids, commonly use stridulation to produce audible squeaks when in stressful situations and can also produce plant-borne vibrations when in contact with conspecifics. These beetles engage in fights for territory which ultimately results in mating opportunities (i.e., contests). We placed beetles into three sex-ratio treatments: male–male (contests), male–female (copulatory courtship), or male–male–female (contests and copulatory courtship). We first describe contests and copulatory courtship behaviours. We then used laser vibrometry and found that red milkweed beetles communicate by producing plant-borne vibrational signals composed of low-frequency rumbles and high-frequency clacks during male–male contests and copulatory courtship. We compared the spectral and temporal features of the vibrations between the two pre-copulatory contexts. We found that vibrational signals were shorter and had a higher fundamental and dominant frequencies when beetles engaged in contests compared to copulatory courtship behaviours. Our results show that these beetles use plant-borne vibrations as context-dependent signals that communicate different information under these two pre-copulatory scenarios. Our data suggests that these context-dependent signals may help beetles gain access to mates and prolong copulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous studies, the adult A. denula beetle was not considered as a major crop insect pest stage. The objective of this study was to elucidate the beetle potential to inflict substantial damage to the crop as its larval stage. The study was conducted on an experimental farm covering 2 592m2, in the Southern region of Côte d'Ivoire. Results show that high abundance peaks of A. denuda on maize farm occurs during the flowering stage of maize, between the 48th and 58th days after sowing. Observations also revealed that the feeding and mating activities of the beetle were predominant between 10 pm and 12 am. Attack by this beetle has a significant impact on maize yield when it occurs between 1 and 6 days after flowering. Over the period three cropping years, yield losses of 26.62%, 32.31% and 21.35% were recorded in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively, resulting in an average yield loss of 26.76%. The severity of adult A. denuda attacks on maize cultivated in the studied region confirmed the pest status of this beetle at the imago stage. Therefore, it is urgent to implement effective and eco-friendly control methods against A. denuda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, bioinspired insect flight has become a prominent research area, with a particular focus on beetle-inspired aerial vehicles. Studying the unique flight mechanisms and structural characteristics of beetles has significant implications for the optimization of biomimetic flying devices. Among beetles, Allomyrina dichotoma (rhinoceros beetle) exhibits a distinct wing deployment–flight–retraction sequence, whereby the interaction between the hindwings and protective elytra contributes to lift generation and maintenance. This study investigates A. dichotoma's wing deployment, flight, and retraction behaviors through motion analysis, uncovering the critical role of the elytra in wing folding. We capture the kinematic parameters throughout the entire flight process and develop an accurate kinematic model of A. dichotoma flight. Using smoke visualization, we analyze the flow field generated during flight, revealing the formation of enhanced leading-edge vortices and attached vortices during both upstroke and downstroke phases. These findings uncover the high-lift mechanism underlying A. dichotoma's flight dynamics, offering valuable insights for optimizing beetle-inspired micro aerial vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]