Factors impacting nanoindentation testing results of the cuticle of dung beetle Copris ochus Motschulsky

1 Introduction Insects have been adapted to their living surround-ings. Two different adaptations they have were the pas-sive adaptation and the active adaptation. For examples,the passive adaptation of soil insects to the soil habitatresulted in shorter or vestigial additional legs, the bodybecoming smaller, thinner or flatter, and wings and eyesdiminishing; the stronger digging legs of some soil in-sects were a result of active adaptation for burrowing [1]. The biological character…     

Development of Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Two Different Rearing Media

ABSTRACT Like many other sub-social insects, Copris tripartitus Waterhouse requires parental care during the development period in the brood balls. Mass-rearing is achieved by using indoor rearing systems and adding more dung after taking away the brood balls containing eggs. Without parental care, larvae are often affected by desiccation, as well as by fungal or sciarid fly intrusion of the brood balls. This study developed a good substitute for brood ball rearing medium. A significantly greater number of progeny survived to adulthood from broods produced by beetles reared on vermiculite medium (90.69±10.98%) than on peat moss medium (44.82±13.92%). Results of the study suggest that to protect the brood balls from desiccation and to produce healthy adults, 15-20% moisture content vermiculite must be used as brood ball rearing medium for most species reared in the laboratory.     

Effects of the veterinary antiparasitic drug eprinomectin on dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), the non-pest fly Neomyia cornicina and pest fly Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) in Japan

Effects of the antiparasitic drug eprinomectin were studied in the laboratory and field experiments in Hokkaido, Japan, by pour-on administrations (500 μg/kg) on the pest fly Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus), nontarget coprophagous fly Neomyia cornicina (Fabricius), and the dung beetles Caccobius jessoensis Harold and Liatongus minutus (Motschulsky). Eprinomectin excreted into cattle dung was highest at 3 days post-treatment in both experiments, then it declined rapidly at 7 days and was not detected on or after day 14 post-treatment. In laboratory experiments, pupation and emergence rates of H. irritans and N. cornicina were hampered from 1 to 14 days post-treatment. There were no significant differences in the numbers of brood balls constructed by C. jessoensis in dung from treated and control cattle. Adult emergence rates of C. jessoensis were significantly reduced on days 1 and 3 post-treatment in dung from treated cattle. There were no significant differences in the numbers of brood balls constructed by L. minutus in dung from treated and control cattle, but survival rates of larvae were significantly reduced on days 1 and 3 post-treatment. In field experiments, the numbers of brood balls by L. minutus recovered from beneath dung pats were significantly larger in number in dung from treated cattle, suggesting that adult beetles are attracted to dung pats from treated cattle. Survival rates of larvae in these brood balls of L. minutus were significantly reduced 1 day post-treatment in dung pats from treated cattle, and equivalent levels to the control were restored 7 days post-treatment. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of endectocides on nontarget insects in grazing pastures.     

Sexual and male horn dimorphism in Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an endangered species, is the largest dung beetle in Japan. In C. ochus, males have a long head horn, while females lack this long horn (sexual dimorphism). Very large males of C. ochus have disproportionately longer head horns than small males, suggesting male horn dimorphism, although the dimorphism has not been investigated quantitatively. To clarify sexual and male horn dimorphism in C. ochus quantitatively, we examined the scaling relationship between body size (prothorax width) and head horn length in 94 females and 76 males. These beetles were captured during July 1978 from a natural population on Mt. Aso in southwestern Japan using a light trap. Although the horn length of the females and males scaled with prothorax width, the scaling relationship differed between the sexes, i.e., the relationship was linear in females and nonlinear in males. Statistical tests for dimorphism in male horn length showed a significant discontinuous relationship, thus indicating distinct sexual and male dimorphism in head horns. Long- and short-horned C. ochus males may have different reproductive behaviors, as described in other horned dung beetles.     

臭蜣螂体壁的组织结构

对臭蜣螂Copris ochus Motschulsky体壁的组织学结构进行了光镜观察。用伊红和马洛赖氏三色法染色可见体壁尤其在腹壁的折叠处及膜翅壁中存在着胶原纤维。鞘翅中有内腔,具皮细胞,鞘翅背部表皮下陷形成桥墩状结构以支撑加固鞘翅腔并减轻重量。膜翅的背腹壁之间也具有内腔和皮细胞,并充满油脂腺（经分析是棕脂肪细胞腺）及其分泌物。足的肌肉束中被大量棕脂肪细胞腺环绕。棕脂肪细胞的存在为周围器官提供所需能量,并有减轻重量和润滑的作用。体壁表面具有大量突起、刚毛及大量粗细不等的管道与其下相通,加上大量油脂腺及其分泌机能,为其体表的减粘特性提供了形态和化学基础。鞘翅内腔的结构可为建筑仿生学提供一定参考。     

Dung burial activity and development of ivermectin exposedDiastellopalpus quinquedens in a field experiment

The amount of cattle dung buried in the field by afrotropical dung beetles, mainlyDiastellopalpus quinquedens Bates, was not affected by previous subcutaneous injection of the cattle with 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ ivermectin. The numbers ofD. quinquedens larvae developing in brood masses, however, were reduced; only 28% of the brood masses made of dung voided two days after treatment of the cattle contained live larvae. When the brood masses were made of dung excreted 8 and 16 days after treatment 90 and 94%, respectively, contained live larvae.     

Restudies on Body Surface of Dung Beetle and Application of Its Bionics Flexible Technique

1　IntroductionTheadherencebetweenthesoilandthetouchingmachinecomponentscriticallyreducestheworkingeffi ciencyandqualityofthediggingmachinesandfarmtools.Therefore ,thenon adherenceisabigproblemintheindustry ,agriculturalproduction ,andmechanicalengineering[1- 4] .Thesurveyshaveshownthatthecar riagevolumeofdumptrucksworkinginstickyclaycanbereducedby 2 0 %to 5 0 %duetoadheredsoil[3] .Thus,itisanurgentdemandtodevelopaneffectivetechniqueforthereductionofadhesionanddraft.Thebodysurfacesoftheanimal…     

Field effects of faecal residues from ivermectin slow‐release boluses on the attractiveness of cattle dung to dung beetles

A 2‐year study was performed in two sites in southern France to assess the effect of ivermectin residues on the attractiveness of cattle dung to colonizing insects. Insect captures were compared between pitfall traps baited with dung from untreated cattle and dung from cattle that had been treated with a slow‐release (SR) bolus of ivermectin. Cattle dung was collected at different times after treatment (4, 14, 42, 70 and 98 days). Excretion showed a plateau, with levels ranging between 0.688 µg and 1.123 µg ivermectin per gram of wet dung. Faecal residues affected insect captures at both sites. Effects were independent of the time dung was collected after treatment, except for one result subsequent to a severe drought during the baiting period. Ivermectin‐contaminated dung showed a significant attractive effect, with increased captures regardless of the guild to which beetles belonged. This study demonstrates the attractiveness of ivermectin residues over a long period after the treatment of animals. It draws attention to the danger of widespread use of this endectocide‐based SR bolus, which is attributable to the preferential attraction of insects to treated dung, which potentially puts at risk the survival of their offspring.     

Nest construction and larval behaviour of Onitis belial and Onitis ion (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Abstract. 1. Female beetles working alone or in cooperation with a male buried dung to make brood masses. O.belial brood masses were packed close together in clusters; each mass was constructed as a horizontal thick-walled tube of dung which was filled with a dung sausage containing two to six eggs. O.ion made vertical sausage-shaped brood masses with one to four eggs.
2. The larvae of both species were able to survive in artificial brood balls as well as in multi-egg brood masses because of their ability to repair larval chambers with their own excrement.
3. The multi-egg brood mass of Onitis has probably evolved from a simple one-egg brood mass. It does not resemble the underground dung mass from which brood balls are made by certain Coprini.     

臭蜣螂体壁表面结构及其与减粘脱附功能的关系

采用扫描电镜技术观察并描述了臭蜣螂Copris ochus头部、胸腹部和足部体表上的凹陷和刚毛的结构。发现有4种简单的凹陷,其三维结构、边缘类型和位于凹陷中央的带孔刚毛的长度在身体不同部位均有不同。体壁上还有中央具隆起的凹陷,其中心具带孔刚毛;或缺中心刚毛但在其半环状外边沿上具一小刚毛的凹陷。简单凹陷广泛分布于除腹部以外的各部分,但具中央隆起的凹陷仅出现在前胸背板,具半环状外边沿的凹陷出现在腿节上。在鞘翅纵沟纹的念珠状结中有管状开口。体壁上还有大小和形状不同的刚毛,它们不同于生于凹陷的刚毛。凹陷和刚毛的分布及形态构成体表的非光滑表面,作者探讨了这些结构与体表减粘脱附功能的关系。     

The evolution of parental behaviour in Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae): an experimental approach

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Dung beetle lifestyles are reviewed. Most Scarabaeinae lay their eggs in dung masses that are packed into underground chambers, but Coprini and Scarabaeini typically lay their eggs in free-standing brood balls and it is in these tribes that parental care of the brood has evolved.
• 2 Brood balls are constructed by aggregating fragments of dung. This technique is derived from the method of gathering dung at the surface. Larvae developing in brood balls are better protected against dehydration and parasite attack. The repair technique of Scarabaeine larvae preadapts them to life in brood balls.
• 3 Parental care by Copris lunaris depends on appropriate responses by the female to the brood, and it has the selective advantage of protecting the brood against parasites. Preadaptations for parental care in‘non-brooding’Coprini are discussed.
• 4 Variations in the basic Copris nesting behaviour are summarized. Similar variations can occur spontaneously in C.lunaris and can also be released by unusual circumstances.
• 5 C.lunaris females could in principle cooperate but certain factors have prevented this social evolution. The significance of the transient cooperation with the male beetle is discussed.

     

蜣螂(Copris ochus Motschulsky)减粘脱附的仿生学研究

研究蜣螂减粘脱附的机制,为工程机械减粘脱附的研究和应用开辟新的途径。用扫描电镜观测了车蜣螂体表的细微结构,发现蜣螂体表由隆起、凹陷、裂缝、孔洞等构成了非光滑表面,大量的长短不一的刚毛构成了柔性界面,蜣螂活动时体表主要呈负性电位变化,其峰值可达－50mV;仿蜣螂休体表的非光滑表面制作了犁壁和推土板,减低阻力减粘脱附效果明显;仿蜣螂运动时体表电位的变化,设计新的电渗模面,取得显著的减粘脱附效果。     

Determination of the toxicity of faeces of cattle treated with an ivermectin sustained-release bolus and preference trials using a dung fly, Neomyia cornicina

The toxicity of dung from cattle treated with an ivermectin sustained-release bolus was estimated in terms of ivermectin or ivermectin equivalents, using a laboratory bioassay with the dung fly Neomyia cornicina Fabricius (Diptera, Muscidae). The mortalities of flies measured 7 days after feeding for 24 h on dung containing known concentrations of ivermectin (between 0.125 and 1 g ivermectin per gram fresh dung) were compared with the mortalities of insects fed for 24 h on dung from cattle treated 21 days previously with an ivermectin sustained-release bolus. The toxicity of the bolus dung was equivalent to dung containing 0.66 g ivermectin per gram fresh dung. To determine whether insects could differentiate between control dung and dung from bolus-treated cattle, choice-chamber tests were carried out. There was no significant difference in the percentage of females that chose either dung type, suggesting that they were unable to distinguish the dung of bolus-treated cattle from control dung. Results are discussed in relation to the impact that bolus use can have on the insect fauna of cattle dung.     

Brood Ball-Mediated Transmission of Microbiome Members in the Dung Beetle,Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Insects feeding on plant sap, blood, and other nutritionally incomplete diets are typically associated with mutualistic bacteria that supplement missing nutrients. Herbivorous mammal dung contains more than 86% cellulose and lacks amino acids essential for insect development and reproduction. Yet one of the most ecologically necessary and evolutionarily successful groups of beetles, the dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) feeds primarily, or exclusively, on dung. These associations suggest that dung beetles may benefit from mutualistic bacteria that provide nutrients missing from dung. The nesting behaviors of the female parent and the feeding behaviors of the larvae suggest that a microbiome could be vertically transmitted from the parental female to her offspring through the brood ball. Using sterile rearing and a combination of molecular and culture-based techniques, we examine transmission of the microbiome in the bull-headed dung beetle, Onthophagus taurus. Beetles were reared on autoclaved dung and the microbiome was characterized across development. A ~1425 bp region of the 16S rRNA identified Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Comamonadaceae as the most common bacterial families across all life stages and populations, including cultured isolates from the 3^rd instar digestive system. Finer level phylotyping analyses based on lepA and gyrB amplicons of cultured isolates placed the isolates closest to Enterobacter cloacae, Providencia stuartii, Pusillimonas sp., Pedobacter heparinus, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus. Scanning electron micrographs of brood balls constructed from sterile dung reveals secretions and microbes only in the chamber the female prepares for the egg. The use of autoclaved dung for rearing, the presence of microbes in the brood ball and offspring, and identical 16S rRNA sequences in both parent and offspring suggests that the O. taurus female parent transmits specific microbiome members to her offspring through the brood chamber. The transmission of the dung beetle microbiome highlights the maintenance and likely importance of this newly-characterized bacterial community.     

蜣螂与壁虎刚毛的比较及改形对其功能的影响

脱附与粘附是工程作业的两个相互矛盾的难题,土壤和物料的粘附严重降低了机械的作业效率和质量,没有粘附又使某些机械无法工作或运行。目前世界流行的脱附技术,包括向界面注入空气的充气法、向界面注入溶液的充液法、利用机械或超声波的振动法、施加电场的电渗法、施加磁场的磁     

Biological and chemical assays of pyrethroids in cattle dung

Bioassays were developed in Zimbabwe to measure pyrethroid in cattle dung. These and chemical assays then estimated concentrations in dung from treated oxen and elucidated risks to dung fauna. Laboratory bioassays with adult beetles (Histeridae and Scarabaeinae, including Copris, Digitonthophagus, Onitis and Sisyphus spp.) and muscoid larvae (Musca lusoria Wiedemann) indicated that the LC50 of pyrethroids, as ppm in the wet weight, averaged 0.04 for deltamethrin pour-on, 0.25 for deltamethrin dip, 0.22 for alphacypermthrin pour-on, 0.10 for cyfluthrin pour-on, 0.23 for cypermethrin dip and 0.63 for flumethrin dip. Field bioassays involved artificial dung pats of 800 g, deployed in woodland and inspected after 24 h to record insects dead and alive. Beetles were most abundant in the wet season. Muscoid larvae were less seasonal. The LC50 of insecticides in the field confirmed laboratory indications. Adult Diptera (muscoids and Sgifidae) were not repelled or killed until the deltamethrin concentration reached 10 ppm. Pat dispersal by dung fauna and termites (Microtermes spp.) was halved by deltamethrin at 0.1-1 ppm. Scavenging of dead beetles by ants was greatest with small beetles (< 15 mm long) uncontaminated with insecticide. Dips and pour-ons of deltamethrin on cattle gave residues of about 0.01-0.1 ppm in dung produced in the fortnight after application. About 1.6% of the deltamethrin applied was transferred to dung. Deltamethrin and alphacypermethrin in dung showed no detectable degradation in 64 days. Contamination levels threaten populations of slow-breeding beetles.     

中国四种蜣螂幼虫形态记述(鞘翅目:金龟科:金龟亚科)

基于3龄幼虫首次描述了中国4种蜣螂幼虫的形态特征,分别是：捷氏凯蜣螂Caccobius jessoensis Harold、短亮凯蜣螂C．brevis Waterhouse、双顶嗡蜣螂Onthophagus bivertex Heyden和小驼嗡蜣螂0．gibbulus（Pallas）。文中列出了中国凯蜣螂和嗡蜣螂属幼虫分种检索表。标本保存在沈阳农业大学昆虫博物馆。     

Parental behaviour in Copris lunaris (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae): care and defence of brood balls and nest

Abstract. 1. Nesting female beetles righted brood balls (so as to replace the egg or larva in the uppermost position) and repaired damaged balls. This behaviour required the presence of an egg or larva in the ball, or of a short-lasting material found just after oviposition. The shape of the ball was also a righting stimulus since artificial ellipsoids were stood on end.
2. Balls containing dichloromethane extracts of C.lunaris brood were righted and repaired. Eggs and larvae of several other Scarabaeidae did not release these responses but were destroyed.
3. Righting behaviour was released when brood was absent from the top of the ball. The beetle then crawled vertically downwards and, if it encountered the displaced apex, a novel rolling action followed which automatically turned the ball towards the correct position.
4. An opening made in the nest was repaired with soil excavated from the chamber floor. Clunaris adults and Aphodius fossor larvae were attacked if they were encountered in the nest.     

Normal and atypical nesting behaviour of Copris lunaris (L.): comparison with related species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Abstract. 1. The lifecycle, mating and larval behaviour of Clunaris are described. Adults appeared in the autumn and nested in the following spring. The female beetle remained in the nest with the brood and could nest again the following year.
2. Nesting was initiated when virgin females were mated in the spring. Brood balls were formed by techniques sirnilar to those used by Scarabaeini. The female beetle left the nest soon after the first imagos broke out of the brood balls.
3. Nesting behaviour was readily modified by external conditions. Many parts of the sequence could be repeated or omitted. The female beetle left the nest if the brood was removed, but she remained for longer than usual if younger brood was substituted near the end of the normal nesting period.
4. Certain experimental conditions released behaviour patterns typical of other species. These were formation of superficial nests or of two-chambered nests, oviposition before completing the brood ball, and coating of the brood balls with soil (all found in other Coprina), as well as ball rolling and ball burial (found in Scarabaeini). The results are discussed in relation to the evolution of Copris nesting behaviour.     

Gut microbiota of dung beetles correspond to dietary specializations of adults and larvae

Vertebrate dung is central to the dung beetle life cycle, constituting food for adults and a protective and nutritive refuge for their offspring. Adult dung beetles have soft mandibles and feed primarily on nutritionally rich dung particles, while larvae have sclerotized mandibles and consume coarser dung particles with a higher C/N ratio. Here, using the dung beetles Euoniticellus intermedius and E. triangulatus, we show that these morphological adaptations in mandibular structure are also correlated with differences in basic gut structure and gut bacterial communities between dung beetle life stages. Metagenome functional predictions based on 16S rDNA characterization further indicated that larval gut communities are enriched in genes involved in cellulose degradation and nitrogen fixation compared to adult guts. Larval gut communities are more similar to female gut communities than they are to those of males, and bacteria present in maternally provisioned brood balls and maternal ‘gifts’ (secretions deposited in the brood ball along with the egg) are also more similar to larval gut communities than to those of males. Maternal secretions and maternally provisioned brood balls, as well as dung, were important factors shaping the larval gut community. Differences between gut microbiota in the adults and larvae are likely to contribute to differences in nutrient assimilation from ingested dung at different life history stages.