The oldest opatrine terrestrial darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninae) from the Paleocene of Menat (France)

The oldest terrestrial darkling beetle of the opatrine lineage, Palaeosclerum pohli gen. et. sp. nov. (subfamily Tenebrioninae) is described from the Middle Paleocene of Menat (France). The complex of characters, combining the peculiar shape of body (robust, adapted to a fossorial lifestyle), structure of fossorial protibia, 5-segmented antennal club demonstrates a considerable similarity of the new genus to the extant representatives of the ‘sclerina’ generic group of the subtribe Opatrina. Palaeosclerum gen. nov. is compared with recent genera Sclerum Dejean, 1834, Platynosum Mulsant and Rey, 1859 and Eurycaulus Fairmaire, 1868.     

A new genus and species of darkling beetles of the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae) from Turkey

A new genus and species Microdocnemis xerophilicus gen. et sp. n. of the tenebrionid-beetle tribe Helopini is described from southwestern Turkey. The new genus belongs to the cylindrinotoid group of genera and is closely related to the genus Odocnemis Allard, 1876 in the structure of the male genitalia and female genital tubes and in the denticulation of the inner margin of the fore tibia. Microdocnemis differs from Odocnemis in the following characters: body very weakly flattened dorsally and ventrally; apical part of elytra, body ventrally, and epipleura with hairs; anal sternite with double bordering; apical margins of tibiae with short thick spines. The only species of the new genus inhabits xerophytic stony biotopes and has been found under stones; the species of the genus Odocnemis live on tree trunks covered with lichens.     

Karyological notes on six beetle species from Armenia (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae,Cerambycidae, Curculionidae)

Karyotypic details were studied in males of six beetle species from three families, viz. Tenebrionidae: Dailognatha pumila Bdy. (2n = 20, n(male) = 9 + Xy(p)), Pachyscelis musiva Ménétr. (2n = 18, n(male) = 8 + Xy(p)), Pimelia capito Kryn. (2n = 18, n(male) = 8 + Xy(p)); Cerambycidae: Agapanthia walteri Reitt. (2n = 20, n(male) = 9+Xy(p)), Agapanthia korostelevi Danilevsky (2n = 20, n(male) = 9 + Xy(p)); Curculionidae: Phyllobius caucasicus Stierl. (2n = 22, n(male) = 10 + Xy(p)). The chromosome number and sex determining system of all beetle species are described for the first time. Evolutionary trends in karyotypes of the studied beetle groups are briefly discussed.     

Complete mitochondrial genome of the darkling beetle Gonocephalum outreyi (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with phylogenetic implications

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Gonocephalum outreyi was determined by using next-generation sequencing approach. The full length of this mitogenome is 15,836?bp, which consists of 37 typical metazoan mitochondrial genes with an identical genome organization to ancestral insects. The majority of the protein-coding genes begin with the codon ATN, except for cox1 and cox2 with AAT and AAA, respectively. To elucidate the phylogenetic position of G. outreyi, we used various sequence coding schemes for protein-coding genes and the combined nucleotide sequences of all mitochondrial genes for tree building under the Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood inferences. The phylogenetic results consistently supported G. outreyi as a member of the family Tenebrionidae. The monophyly of both Tenebrionoidea and Tenebrionidae were strongly supported. The Scraptiidae and Melandryidae were recovered to be non-monophyletic in regards to the Osphya. Within Tenebrionidae, the subfamilies Diaperinae and Tenebrioninae were found to be non-monophyletic.     

Deep genetic divergence in the darkling beetle Pimelia rugulosa (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae) reflects Plio‐Pleistocenic paleogeographic history of Sicily

The genus Pimelia is represented in Sicily by the two species P. grossa and P. rugulosa, the latter with the two subspecies P. r. rugulosa and P. r. sublaevigata. A third subspecies, P. r. apula, is present only in Puglia. The phylogeographic history of this genus in Sicily was reconstructed using sequences of the complete cox2 gene, applying phylogenetic and molecular dating methods. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of the two species, as well as the subdivision of P. rugulosa in the three morphological subspecies. One previously undetected and deeply divergent lineage was described that is geographically related to the Hyblean massif. It is therefore suggested that the deep divergence of the two major P. rugulosa clades in Sicily reflects an ancient separation between the Hyblean massif and the other land masses of Sicily. Dating analysis confirmed that the timing of P. rugulosa genetic divergence is compatible with the formation of the Hyblean massif. Furthermore, P. rugulosa populations of the Hyblean massif, whose taxonomy has been historically problematic, display levels of genetic divergence comparable to those observed at the species level. The possibility that this new lineage might deserve species rank is presented.     

Life forms and strategies of lichen-feeding darkling beetles (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae: Helopini)

Trophic relations of lichen-feeding darkling beetles of the tribe Helopini in Turkey, the Caucasus, and Anti-Atlas are considered. This group is the most diverse in relict Anatolian forests of Cedrus libani, Abies cilicica, Pinus nigra, Juniperus spp., and Quercus cerris, where multitaxon lichenophagous assemblages exist. Three life strategies for attenuation of interspecific competition are distinguished: (1) differentiation of the consumed lichens, (2) separation of the life forms based on the types of the lichens consumed, and (3) segregation of circadian activity in adults. We assume that adaptation of the Helopini larvae to the soil life promoted their wide distribution in different landscapes by elimination of the limiting factor for completing their life cycles, namely the need for ligneous substrate of old rotting trees. The possibility of using lichen-feeding beetles of the tribe Helopini in ecosystem and lichen indication is considered.     

Multiple-chromosome sex systems in the darkling beetles Blaps gigas and Blaps gibba (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

We have studied mitotic and meiotic chromosomes in the males of two species of Blaps: B. gigas and B. gibba. Karyological characteristics such as the occurrence of a multivalent configuration at diakinesis and two types of metaphase-II spreads support the notion that multiple-chromosome sex systems involving five chromosomes in B. gigas and eight chromosomes in B. gibba have developed in these species. Results obtained by means of silver staining and C-banding techniques suggest that the complex sex systems occurring in B. gigas and B. gibba may have originated from exchanges of terminal ribosomal genes among the Y chromosome and some autosomes.     

Assay and comparison of chemical constituents of crude methanol extracts from different developmental stages of darkling beetle Zophpbas morio ( Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

为了探寻大麦虫Zophobas morio变态发育过程中化学成分的变化,本研究利用薄层色谱技术对大麦虫的3个虫态(幼虫、蛹和成虫)甲醇粗提物中的化学成分进行分析和比较,利用柱色谱技术、核磁共振氢谱技术(1HNMR)和气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)对蛹甲醇粗提物进行重点分析.结果表明:虫蛹甲醇粗提物中含有幼虫和成虫甲醇粗提物中不存在的化学成分.对虫蛹甲醇粗提物进行针对性的结构研究,共鉴定出10个脂肪酸.其中,存在于大麦虫虫蛹中的10-十六碳酮酸、10-十八碳酮酸为首次从自然界昆虫中获得;(8E,11E)-8,11-十八碳烯酸、(9Z,12Z)-9,12-十八碳烯酸、(9Z,12Z,15Z)-9,12,15-十八碳烯酸、8-(3-辛基-2-环氧乙烷基)辛酸和8-(2-辛基环丙烷基)辛酸为首次从大麦虫中发现.以上研究结果为针对大麦虫不同生物阶段的开发利用提供新的理论依据.     

The taxocene of lichen-feeding darkling beetles (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae: Helopini) in a forest-steppe ecotone

The taxocene of lichen-feeding darkling beetles from the tribe Helopini is studied in the steppes of the south of Rostov Province. The species of lichens grazed on by the representatives of this tribe are identified for the first time and dependence of circadian activity and spatial distribution of adults on temperature and air humidity is shown. Global warming and human activities may have caused degradation of steppe lichen communities that formed the dietary base for the lichen-feeding darkling beetles in natural ecosystems. As a result, 3 out of 4 beetle species completely left steppe biotopes for tree shelterbelts. This caused a change in the trophic relationships (transition from epigeic to epiphytic lichens) and in the spatial distribution of darkling beetles, promoted the establishment of competitive interactions, and increased the duration of circadian and seasonal activity due to the lengthening of the periods with optimum temperature and air humidity for each species.     

A multilocus perspective on phylogenetic relationships in the Namib darkling beetle genus Onymacris (Tenebrionidae)

Tenebrionid beetles, common constituent faunae of arid ecosystems worldwide, are particularly abundant in Africa’s Namib and Kalahari deserts. Within this region, flightless, diurnal members of the tribe Adesmiini are among the more intensively studied of all desert beetles, especially with regard to ecology. Much of this research centers on Onymacris, a psammophilous genus largely endemic to the Namib. Here we present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis conducted for Onymacris, emphasizing relationships among other adesmiines. Our multilocus phylogeny identifies a strongly supported clade containing Onymacris and two other genera, Eustolopus and Physadesmia—an assemblage recovered in earlier morphological analyses. However, Onymacris is not monophyletic; rather, we demonstrate its paraphyly with respect to the genus Physadesmia, identified as the sister taxon to the white-bodied species of Onymacris. In turn, the Physadesmia-‘white’ Onymacris clade is the sister group to the remaining (black-bodied) Onymacris. Non-monophyly of ‘black’ versus ‘white’ Onymacris is corroborated by distribution patterns and nodal age estimates, which suggest separate origins in different dune systems.     

Cytogenetics of the darkling beetles Zophobas aff. confusus and Nyctobates gigas (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Males of Zophobas aff. confusus and Nyctobates gigas (Tenebrionidae) collected in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, were studied through conventional staining, C-banding, silver nitrate impregnation (AgNO(3)), and the base specific fluorochromes CMA(3) and DAPI. Z. aff. confusus was found to have 2n = 20 (9+Xyp) while N. gigas exhibited 2n = 18 (8+neoXY). Large pericentromeric blocks of constitutive heterochromatin (CH) were detected throughout the autosomal complement of the two species, except in one autosomal pair of N. gigas in which no heterochromatic block was observed. The sex chromosomes of both species were almost totally heterochromatic. Double staining with CMA(3)/DA (distamycin) and DAPI/DA marked CH in Z. aff. confusus. However, DAPI staining was more intense. N. gigas was found to possess blocks of CH-positive CMA(3) and homogeneous DAPI. AgNO(3) staining also revealed differences between the two species. In Z. confusus an NOR was observed in the sexual bivalent Xyp and N. gigas was found to have an autosomal NOR.     

Spatial structure of community of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the Negev Highlands, Israel

The distribution of niches in resource space of darkling beetles of Negev desert, Israel were studied using discriminant analysis Seventeen environmental variables (substrate structure and vegetation) were measured at 375 plots within 15 grids The first three discriminant axes account for 77% of the variance and reflect a soil structure gradient from sand to clay (the first axis), a gradient of increasing productivity (the second axis), and a type of vegetation architecture (the third axis) Abundance and biomass of tenebrionids increased linearly along the first, the second and the third axes Species richness and diversity had a slanting parabola shape along the substrate axis and increased along the productivity axis There were two distinct spatial guilds of tenebrionid species One guild was composed by species that preferred sandy-gravel soils, and another guild consisted of species that preferred clay soils Niche overlapping of the sandy-gravel species was lower than that of the clay species Niches of the sandy-gravel species were randomly distributed in the resource space Those of the clay species formed a tight cluster with most niches placed in the center of the space, representing the centrifugal type of organization The conformity of the guild structure with the different types of organization was supported by compansons between empirical data and stochastic models The border between these two guilds matches with proposed earlier biogeographical boundary (Ramon-Zohar line)     

Thermal death kinetics of red flour beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

While developing radio frequency heat treatments for dried fruits and nuts, we used a heating block system developed by Washington State University to identify the most heat-tolerant life stage of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and to determine its thermal death kinetics. Using a heating rate of 15 degrees C/min to approximate the rapid heating of radio frequency treatments, the relative heat tolerance of red flour beetle stages was found to be older larvae > pupae and adults > eggs and younger larvae. Lethal exposure times for temperatures of 48, 50, and 52 degrees C for the most heat-tolerant larval stage were estimated using a 0.5th order kinetic model. Exposures needed for 95% mortality at 48 degrees C were too long to be practical (67 min), but increasing treatment temperatures to 50 and 52 degrees C resulted in more useful exposure times of 8 and 1.3 min, respectively. Red flour beetle was more sensitive to changes in treatment temperature than previously studied moth species, resulting in red flour beetle being the most heat-tolerant species at 48 degrees C, but navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), being most heat tolerant at 50 and 52 degrees C. Consequently, efficacious treatments for navel orangeworm at 50-52 degrees C also would control red flour beetle.     

Dormancy-inducing factors of rubber litter beetle, Luprops tristis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract  The effect of photoperiod, temperature, humidity, rainfall and moisture were examined on the annual migration of Luprops tristis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from rubber plantations to shelters, and the induction of 9 months dormancy thereafter. Results confirm the role of rainfall-mediated wetness from summer showers as the cue that induces dormancy in Luprops tristis and provide further proof to the function and significance of moisture in diapause induction in tropical insects. Other factors did not have any significant independent effect on migration and dormancy induction. Reserve food accumulation by teneral adults well ahead of the onset of adverse conditions and the non-return of beetles to the field in short-term favorable conditions strongly indicate that Luprops tristis has evolved the ability to predict and avoid adverse conditions and the inheritance of dormancy-regulating factors from the parent generation.     

A new species of comb-clawed beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Alleculinae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian (China,Liaoning Province)

A new genus and species of comb-clawed beetles, Calcarocistela kirejtshuki gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian (China) is described. The new genus is assigned to the tribe Gonoderini of the subfamily Alleculinae (family Tenebrionidae) based on the following characters: five visible abdominal ventrites, nonwidened tarsomeres without a membranous ventral lobes, and serrate antennae. The new genus differs from other members of the tribe Gonoderini in the long spurs of metatibia reaching a half of the first metatarsomere and the lamellate prosternal process. Calcarocistela kirejtshuki is the first member of Alleculinae from the Lower Cretaceous.     

Eucamaragnathus desenderi, a new ground beetle species from Africa (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Eucamaragnathus desenderisp. n., a new ground beetle species of the tribe Hiletini, is described from eastern and southern Africa and dedicated to the recently deceased Belgian carabidologist Konjev Desender. The new taxon is known so far from localities in Zambia (Mukuku, southeast of Mansa) and in South Africa (Bothaville, south of Klerksdorp). The new species belongs to the Eucamaragnathus castelnaui group and is characterized by shape of pronotum, smooth or sparsely punctate pronotal transverse impression, characters of male genitalia and elytral striae continued to the apex. Illustrations of the habitus, the median lobe and its internal sac and several other morphological features are presented. An updated identification key to the African Eucamaragnathus species is given.     

Six new species of the genus Laena Dejean from China (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Lagriinae)

Six new species of Laena Dejean, Laena quadratasp. n. and Laena motoganasp. n.(China: Xizang), Laena chiloriluxasp. n., Laena dentatasp. n. and Laena liangisp. n. (China: Yunnan), Laena dentatocrassasp. n. (China: Hainan Island, representing new province record of the genus) are described, complemented with photos of habitus, illustrations of legs, antenna, aedeagus and last abdominal ventrite of male and female. Type specimens are deposited in both the Museum of Hebei University, Baoding, China and the Natural History Museum of Stuttgart, Germany.A key to the 102 Chinese species of genus Laena is provided.     

Two new species of Itagonia Reitter (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Blaptini) from China

Two new species of Itagonia Reitter, 1887, Itagonia tibialis sp. n. and Itagonia litangensis sp. n. are described from Sichuan, China. A key to the known species of Itagonia from China is given.     

Two new species of the Stenochinus amplus species-group from China (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Stenochiini)

Two new species of the Stenochinus amplus species-group are described, S. apiciconcavussp. n. (CHINA: Shaanxi) and S. xinyicussp. n. (CHINA: Guangdong). Also, some new distribution data are provided for S. cylindricus (Gebien, 1914), and a key to the seven species of the S. amplus species-group from China is given.