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Simple Summary: Warm-blooded animals (like mammals and birds) living in colder climates (higher latitudes or elevations) tend to have larger bodies compared to their relatives in warmer areas. This pattern has been interpreted in terms of heat budget: since the surface area-to-volume ratio decreases with increasing size, larger animals need to produce relatively less heat to maintain stable body temperatures (Bergmann's rule). This mechanism cannot operate in cold-blooded animals, like most insects, as they do not produce heat. In these animals, a reverse pattern is frequently observed, as an increased surface area-to-volume ratio may allow for more rapid heating and cooling. However, selection for more stable internal temperatures might lead to smaller surface area-to-volume ratios also in cold-blooded animals, leading to a negative correlation between body size and temperature. An analysis conducted on tenebrionids along an elevational gradient in Central Italy revealed that, on average, their surface area-to-volume ratios decline with increasing elevation, thus indicating the importance of heat conservation. However, while in species living under bark or in rotten wood, body size (mass and volume) tends to increase with elevation, in ground-dwelling species, it declines up to about 1000 m and then increases. This suggests that a reduction in resource availability with increasing elevation limits body size in ground-dwelling species up to a certain elevation but not in those living under bark, which benefit from more microclimatically stable conditions and constant resources and need energy for overwintering. In endotherms, body size tends to increase with elevation and latitude (i.e., with decreasing temperatures) (Bergmann's rule). These patterns are explained in terms of heat balance since larger animals need to produce less heat relative to their size to maintain stable body temperatures. In ectotherms like most insects, where this mechanism cannot operate, a reverse pattern is frequently observed, as a higher surface area-to-volume ratio in colder climates may allow for more rapid heating and cooling. However, patterns of increasing body size with decreasing temperatures can also be observed in ectotherms if selection for more stable internal temperatures leads to smaller surface area-to-volume ratios. Data on tenebrionids from Latium (Central Italy) were used to model elevational variations in average values of body size (total length, mass and volume) and surface area-to-volume ratio. Analyses were performed by considering the whole fauna and two ecological groups separately: ground-dwelling species (geophilous) and arboreal (xylophilous) species. The surface area-to-volume ratios declined with increasing elevation in all cases, indicating that the need for heat conservation is more important than rapid heating and cooling. However, in xylophilous species (which typically live under bark), body size increased with increasing elevation, and in geophilous species, an opposite pattern was observed up to about 1000 m, followed by an increasing pattern. This suggests that a reduction in resource availability with elevation limits body size in geophilous species up to a certain elevation but not in xylophilopus species, which benefit from more climatically stable conditions and constant resources and need energy for overwintering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach to supplying foods and feeds that are high in protein has emerged in the form of insect farming. Insect‐farmed food may also serve as part of a sustainable diet for humans. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most widely consumed insect worldwide. In this study, 10 larval diets were tested in the laboratory to determine their suitability for mass‐feeding mealworms at 28 °C and 60–65% r.h., in a completely randomized design. Various larval diets had a significant impact on the biological features of T. molitor. The larvae, pupae, and adults were greater on diets containing wheat bran alone and wheat bran in combination with maize and porridge. Larval mortality was significantly higher (60.7%) on a diet with porridge alone, compared to a control diet, followed by diets with porridge in combination with barley (55.6%) or maize (50.6%). Sex ratio was also affected by the tested larval diets. Female hatch (65%) was higher than male hatch (35%) on diet containing wheat bran alone as compared to all other diets. The findings contribute to optimizing mealworm rearing practices for sustainable food production and promote the potential use of mealworms as a viable protein source – especially livestock diets based on mealworm reared on wheat bran show promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating use of nanodiamonds (NDs) has raised concerns about their ecotoxicological impact, prompting exploration of therapeutic interventions. This paper pioneers the examination of Vitamin B12‐conjugated sericin (VB12‐SER) as a potential therapeutic approach against ND‐induced toxicity in darkling beetles (Blaps polychresta). The study analyzes mortality rates and organ‐specific effects, covering the testis, ovary, and midgut, before and after treatments. Following exposure to 10 mg NDs/g body weight, within a subgroup of individuals termed ND2 with a mortality rate below 50%, two therapeutic treatments were administered, including pure sericin (SER) at 10 mg/mL and VB12‐SER at 10.12 mg/mL. Consequently, five experimental groups (control, SER, ND2, ND2+SER, ND2+SER+VB12) were considered. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to assess the lifespan distribution of the insects in these groups over a 30‐d period. Analyses revealed increased mortality and significant abnormalities induced by NDs within the examined organs, including cell death, DNA damage, enzyme dysregulation, antioxidant imbalances, protein depletion, lipid peroxidation, and morphological deformities. In contrast, the proposed treatments, especially (ND2+SER+VB12), demonstrated remarkable recovery, highlighting VB12‐conjugated SER's potential in mitigating ND‐triggered adverse effects. Molecular docking simulations affirmed binding stability and favorable interactions of the VB12‐SER complex with target proteins. This research enhances understanding of NDs’ effects on B. polychresta, proposing it as an effective bioindicator, and introduces VB12‐conjugated SER as a promising therapeutic strategy in nanotoxicological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Praocis Eschscholtz subgenus (Praonoda) Flores & Pizarro-Araya (Pimeliinae: Praociini), Praocis (Praonoda) crassicollis sp. nov., is described from Argentinean Patagonia. Distributional map and photograph of adult habitus are included, with comparisons to other known species of the genus and subgenus. A discussion is presented on distributional habitat records, biogeography and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the effect of environmental factors on the phenology and distribution of the Tentyria species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Doñana National Park (SW Iberian Peninsula). Data are derived from the results of a project carried out 20 years ago, aimed at inventorying the coleopteran of the park. This information provides a framework for comparison with current or future states since the time elapsed is long enough to detect variations. As the classification of Tentyria species is complex and controversial, the first aspect to be addressed was the taxonomical verification of the species. Indeed, they were T. platyceps Steven. T. subcostata Solier. T. bifida Bujalance, Cárdenas, Ferrer and Gallardo, and T. donanensis Bujalance, Cárdenas, Ferrer and Gallardo. Sampling consisted of 2 years of monthly pitfall trapping, encompassing the surface of the park and adjacent areas. Data on adult seasonal activity and spatial distribution of the species were obtained from the specific abundance in each sampling plot. Phenologically, the 4 species were mainly summer species, with unimodal or bimodal curves depending on the species. The distribution of the species was quite uneven: while T. donanensis was ubiquitous, T. subcostata was restricted to the southern coastal area of the park, and T. platyceps and T. bifida were recorded in the northern half, in marshes or inland forests, respectively. Our results also suggest that extreme temperatures may impose major constraints on the spatial distribution of Tentyria species, which could affect Doñana's biodiversity in the future scenery of thermal rise linked to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR/Cas9 manipulations are possible in many insects and ever expanding. Nonetheless, success in one species and techniques developed for it are not necessarily applicable to other species. As such, the development and expansion of CRISPR-based (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) genome-editing tools and methodologies are dependent upon direct experimentation. One useful technique is Cas9-dependent homologous recombination, which is a critical tool for studying gene function but also for developing pest related applications like gene drive. Here, we report our attempts to induce Cas9 homology directed repair (HDR) and subsequent gene drive in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst; Insecta: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Utilizing constructs containing 1 or 2 target gRNAs in combination with Cas9 under 2 different promoters and corresponding homology arms, we found a high incidence of CRISPR/Cas9 induced mutations but no evidence of homologous recombination. Even though the generated constructs provide new resources for CRISPR/Cas9 modification of the Tribolium genome, our results suggest that additional modifications and increased sample sizes will be necessary to increase the potential and detection for HDR of the Tribolium genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to assess the impact of oven-drying and decontamination on crude protein concentration and in vitro crude protein digestibility of yellow mealworms. Two kilograms of 12-wk-old mealworm larvae were subjected to freezing prior to the drying process. Approximately 1.5 kg of mealworm larvae were divided into 3 groups and exposed to oven-drying at temperatures of 50 °C for 36 h, 60 °C, and 70 °C for 24 h each. At intervals of 2 h, sets of 3 replicates were withdrawn to record water loss. Consistent weight stabilization was observed at 36 h for 50 °C (T50), 18 h for 60 °C (T60), and 14 h for 70 °C (T70). The remaining 0.5 kg of mealworm larvae was divided and dried under treatments T50, T60, and T70. Each treatment was then split into 2 portions, with one portion subjected to 90 °C for 15 min (denoted as T50-90, T60-90, T70-90) to eliminate microbial contamination. The 6 treatments were then used to determine concentrations of dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, pre-caecal protein digestibility, and dry matter residues after neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin treatments. No interaction was observed between drying and decontamination treatments (P  > 0.17). Pre-caecal crude protein digestibility increased with decreasing temperature (T50: 58% crude protein; T60: 51% crude protein; T70: 50% crude protein). Therefore, lower temperatures for longer times preserve crude protein digestibility. These findings are crucial for understanding how drying temperature and time impact protein bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the complex evolutionary history of lichen-forming fungi has gained considerable attention, particularly regarding the long-debated role of these organisms in shaping early terrestrial ecosystems, the evolution of lichenivory and its potential impact on the diversification of lichenophages have been largely neglected. With > 800 described species worldwide and a broad geographical distribution, the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) represents a diverse, yet poorly studied, group of predominantly lichenophagous beetles. Using a dataset of 52 ingroup taxa and five gene fragments, a first phylogenetic hypothesis of the tribe was generated, which was subsequently used for reconstructing the ancestral state of the trophic and habitat associations of the beetles and for estimating a time frame of diversification. Our phylogenetic reconstruction sheds light on the higher-level systematics of the tribe, supporting the current subtribal division of the group while also providing a framework for understanding the intergeneric relationships within subtribes. The results also indicate an Early Cretaceous origin of the tribe, highlighting the close association between Helopini and lichen-forming fungi since the emergence of the group. Nevertheless, at least seven independent switches from lichenophagy to alternative feeding habits have occurred since the middle Eocene, which can be linked temporally to transitions from forests to open habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tenebrio molitor gained recognition for its nutritional value for human and/or animal consumption, its utilization as a model species in research studies, and its ability to degrade many types of plastics. However, it is a stored-product pest infesting a wide range of commodities in storages. The impact of temperature on the development of T. molitor was evaluated, taking into account confounding effects of other covariates such as developmental stage and larval instar. The time for larval development was longer at 22.5 °C than at 25 °C, 27.5 °C, and 30 °C. Tenebrio molitor spent most of its lifetime as larva > egg, pupa, since the outcome of our model inference resulted that the estimated probability of longer duration in larvae is approximately 25.5 times higher compared to eggs and pupae, and passed through 26 instars before it became pupa. Duration of larval instars increased significantly up to L22 and then decreased until L26. Among larval instars, L22 exhibited the highest developmental duration while the lowest was recorded for L1. These findings enhance the knowledge about the biology of T. molitor, leading to precise decisions for its successful culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of three species of tenebrionid beetles: Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio, is presented. This paper also contains a review of the cytogenetic information for each species and adds new data. The male karyotype of both T. molitor and Z. morio is 2n = 18 + Xyp, with large heterochromatic blocks in the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes. The male A. diaperinus karyotype is 2n = 18 + X0, also with heterochromatic pericentromeric regions in all chromosomes. The location of the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) differs in each species: in A. diaperinus, it is located on the smallest pair of autosomes, while in T. molitor, it is on two pairs of autosomes and both sex chromosomes. In contrast, it is exclusively located on the X chromosome in Z. morio. Telomere analysis revealed that all species have TCAGG repeats in their telomeres, but lack the canonical TTAGG insect telomeric motif. In addition, a study of the distribution of satellite DNA and composition revealed that each species has a main satellite DNA family forming the pericentromeric heterochromatin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of each of these satellites did not produce hybridization signal in the other two species, indicating a divergence in repetitive DNA composition among them. This study adds to the understanding of chromosomal organization, heterochromatin distribution and repetitive DNA dynamics in tenebrionid beetles and sheds light on their cytogenetic diversity and evolutionary significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the worldwide distribution and rich diversity of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, the knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes (mtgenome) characteristics of the superfamily is still very limited, and its phylogenetics and evolution remain unresolved. In the present study, we newly sequenced mtgenomes from 19 species belonging to Tenebrionoidea, and a total of 90 mitochondrial genomes from 16 families of Tenebrionoidea were used for phylogenetic analysis. There exist 37 genes for all 82 species of complete mtgenomes of 16 families investigated, and their characteristics are identical as reported mtgenomes of other Tenebrionoids. The Ka/Ks analysis suggests that all 13 PCGs have undergone a strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis suggests the monophyly of Mordellidae, Meloidae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae, and the Mordellidae is close to the Ripiphoridae. The "Tenebrionidae clade" and "Meloidae clade" are monophyletic, and both of them are sister groups. In the "Meloidae clade," Meloidae is close to Anthicidae. In the "Tenebrionidae clade," the family Lagriidae and Tenebrionidae are sister groups. The divergence time analysis suggests that Tenebrionoidea originated in the late Jurassic, Meloidae Mordellidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae in the Cretaceous, Oedemeridae in Paleogene. The work lays a base for the study of mtgenome, phylogenetics, and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the worldwide distribution and rich diversity of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, the knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes (mtgenome) characteristics of the superfamily is still very limited, and its phylogenetics and evolution remain unresolved. In the present study, we newly sequenced mtgenomes from 19 species belonging to Tenebrionoidea, and a total of 90 mitochondrial genomes from 16 families of Tenebrionoidea were used for phylogenetic analysis. There exist 37 genes for all 82 species of complete mtgenomes of 16 families investigated, and their characteristics are identical as reported mtgenomes of other Tenebrionoids. The Ka/Ks analysis suggests that all 13 PCGs have undergone a strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis suggests the monophyly of Mordellidae, Meloidae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae, and the Mordellidae is close to the Ripiphoridae. The "Tenebrionidae clade" and "Meloidae clade" are monophyletic, and both of them are sister groups. In the "Meloidae clade," Meloidae is close to Anthicidae. In the "Tenebrionidae clade," the family Lagriidae and Tenebrionidae are sister groups. The divergence time analysis suggests that Tenebrionoidea originated in the late Jurassic, Meloidae Mordellidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae in the Cretaceous, Oedemeridae in Paleogene. The work lays a base for the study of mtgenome, phylogenetics, and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the insecticidal efficacy of Diaterra®, a native diatomaceous earth, against two significant stored grain pests, the grain weevil, Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758), (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). To control of insect pests in stores or warehouses, grain industry relies on synthetic insecticides, but they have significant environmental and health risks. Diatomaceous earth offers a natural and environmentally friendly alternative. In addition, it is safe for wildlife, leaves no residues, and effectively controls pests. In the study, different doses (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g/m2) of diatomaceous earth were applied on concrete and wooden surface. A mortality of 100.0% was achieved for S. granarius on the wooden surface at a dose of 4 g/m2 during the 96-hour and subsequent application periods, whereas for T. castaneum, this rate was recorded as 88.9% under the same dose and a 192-hour application period. On the concrete surface, a mortality rate of 100.0% was achieved for S. granarius at a dose of 4 g/m2 after 120 h of exposure. In contrast, for T. castaneum, this rate did not exceed 59.5% even with the same dose and a 192-hour application period. Under controlled laboratory conditions, a dose of 4 g/m2 of Diaterra® showed efficacy in managing S. granarius populations on wooden and concrete surfaces. The desired level of efficacy was not achieved for T. castaneum on either surface type. Based on the data obtained from this study, it can be concluded that prolonged exposure to diatomaceous earth leads to enhanced insecticidal efficacy against both S. granarius and T. castaneum on different surface types. This study emphasizes the importance of considering application duration and surface type as critical factors in maximizing the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Heteropsectropus Kaszab, 1941 (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Platynotini) is revised to include the following three species: H. aenescens Kaszab, 1941 (type species); H. difficilis Koch, 1954; H. longantennatus Koch, 1954. Four synonymies are proposed: H. difficilis (= H. amaroides Koch, 1954 syn. nov., = H. natalensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov., = H. transvaalensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.) and H. longantennatus Koch, 1954 (= H. montisdraconis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.). A new genus, Muelleropsectropusgen. nov., is introduced to accommodate Schyzoschelus malaisei Koch, 1954. Additionally, the following synonomies are introduced within Schyzoschelus Koch, 1954: Schyzoschelus dumosicola (= Schyzoschelus dumosicola var. diversipenis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.) and Schyzoschelus simplicipes (= Schyzoschelus simplicipes willowmorensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.). Diagnostic features and relations between the genera of the Schyzoschelus generic group are discussed and an identification key to the genera and the species of Heteropsectropus is provided. Ovovivipary is reported for H. difficilis and represents the 15th known case of this mode of reproduction for darkling beetles. The first description of pupal morphology for the subtribe Eurynotina is provided as well as that of the first- and later instar larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work tribe Akidini of subfamily Pimellinae belonging to family Tenebrionidae was revised. In Egypt, two genera are Akis Herbest and Morica Solier compressed 9 species were recorded in the tribe Akidini; seven species belonging to the genus Akis are A. cyrenaica; A. elevata; A. gestroi; A. latreillei; A. reflexa; A. scluptior; A. trilineata and two species belonging to genus Morica which are M. constitubera and M. grossa. Representatives of most species were available whether from the field survey during the present work and/or at the Egyptian Reference Insect Collections. The present study has been planned to survey, Classify and determine the recent taxonomic status of the available species of tribe Akidini in Egypt. Diagnosis of tribe, genera and species with illustrations of all taxa are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Currently, the optimization of mass rearing conditions for insects is a matter of highly applied and fundamental relevance since insects can be used as a source of protein in feed and feed supplements for farm animals as well as a source of antibacterial compounds for drug development and various insect research activities in laboratory conditions. The quantity and quality of the consumed feed has an effect on insect growth rate, duration of development, body weight, ability to spread, and survival, as well as on the mating success rate and total egg production of females. Suboptimal nutrition, growth, and development can affect beetle viability. We developed an artificial fungi-based diet for rearing an insect group adapted to life in wood and using it as one of their food sources and tested the effect of this diet on various parameters of the insects' development and their immunity. Zophobas atratus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was chosen as a model species (representative of this group of insects). Based on the parameters of development at all stages of Z. atratus and screening of hemolymph antibacterial activity of their larvae, we showed that the cultivation method we developed shortens the development time of beetles and strengthens their immunity. The rearing of saproxylic insects in laboratory conditions is an important task for studying the biology of insects. Through understanding nutritional needs, it is possible to optimize beetle rearing in laboratory conditions. In this study, an artificial fungi-based diet (FD) was developed for the cultivation of the darkling beetle Zophobas atratus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in laboratory conditions as a model object for studying the biology of saproxylophagous beetles. To assess the influence of the diet, a number of physiological parameters were measured, including development time, body size, and weight of all stages of the beetle's life cycle, as well as its immune status. The immune status of Z. atratus was assessed on the basis of larval hemolymph antibacterial activity against six different bacterial strains assessed using disk-diffusion and photometric tests. Our findings show that the FD reduces development time and boosts the immune status as compared to beetles reared on a standard diet (SD). Samples from FD-reared larvae had pronounced antibacterial activity as compared to samples from SD-reared larvae. This work is of fundamental importance for understanding the correlations between nutrition and development of saproxylic Coleoptera and is the first report on immune status regulation in this group of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic concepts and monophyly of the southern African genus Eurynotus and its subgeneric components (Biolus and Neosolenopistoma) are tested using cladistic analyses. Seventy morphological characters were scored and analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference for 26 Eurynotina species, including all Eurynotus. Comprehensive revision of Biolus and Eurynotus resulted in Neosolenopistoma becoming a junior synonym of the genus Biolus stat. nov. (elevated to generic rank), restoration of one species (B. asperipennis stat. res.), recognition of seven new combinations, and descriptions of two new species (Biolus brunoi sp. nov. and Eurynotus privisolum sp. nov.). Lectotypes are designated for previously described species from syntype material, and a key to species of Biolus and Eurynotus is provided. Three species were confirmed as ovoviviparous (two Biolus and one Eurynotus) bringing the number of recorded ovoviviparous Tenebrionidae to 14. Shortened ovipositors are discounted as requisite for ovovivipary based on elongate paraprocts in Biolus and Eurynotus. Principal component analyses were used to examine three lineages of ovoviviparous tenebrionids; however, no single set of climatic variables was correlated with ovovivipary. Southern African, Malagasy, and Guadeloupe lineages of ovoviviparous Tenebrionidae probably have additional and/or separate evolutionary origins and selection pressures to consider when examining this reproductive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polystyrene (PS) is an extremely stable polymer with a relatively high molecular weight and a strong hydrophobic character that makes it highly resistant to biodegradation. In this study, PS was subjected to biodegradation tests by Tenebrio Molitor (T. Molitor) and Zophobas Morio (Z. Morio) larvae. Specifically, six different experimental diets were compared: (i) T. Molitor fed with bran; (ii) T. Molitor fed only PS; (iii) T. Molitor fed only PS treated with H2O2; (iv) Z. Morio fed with bran; (v) Z. Morio fed only PS; and (vi) Z. Morio fed only PS treated with H2O2. Therefore, the mass change of the larvae and the survival rate were measured periodically, while the frass collected after 15 and 30 days was analyzed by different analyses, such as spectroscopy (FTIR), spectrometry (molecular weight and polydispersity), thermal analysis (TGA) and microscopy (scanning electron microscopy observations). The obtained results suggest that in the case of T. Molitor larvae, larvae feeding on bran showed the highest survival rate of ~94% at 30 days, while in the case of the Z. Morio larvae, the highest survival rate was exhibited by larvae eating PS-H2O2. Although not strongly pronounced, the Mw and Mn of PS in the frass of both T. Molitor and Z. Morio larvae decreased over 30 days, suggesting PS biodegradation. Finally, the morphological analysis shows that PS samples isolated from the frass of T. Molitor and Z. Morio larvae showed completely different, rough and irregularly carved surface structures, in comparison to PS before biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frass, a byproduct of insect rearing, has become popular for its potential use in sustainable agriculture. The rapid growth of insect production results in an increased frass output. This study examined the effects of frass as soil amendment on plant growth and resistance to insect herbivory. In greenhouse experiments, Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae), was grown in unamended soil (NoFrass; control) or soil amended with frass (2 g kg−1) from larvae of black soldier fly (BSFF), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), or yellow mealworm (MWF), Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Frass was applied as raw, incubated, or composted frass before seed germination. Plant growth and performance were measured of larvae of root‐feeding Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) and shoot‐feeding Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Initially, raw BSFF and MWF reduced the growth of B. rapa and resulted in a smaller leaf area than NoFrass. However, over time, a notable trend emerged. Whereas the difference in leaf area between MWF and NoFrass disappeared, BSFF consistently resulted in a smaller leaf area than MWF and NoFrass. Raw BSFF reduced D. radicum larval survival and pupal biomass and larval survival of P. xylostella. In contrast, raw MWF increased larval survival and biomass of D. radicum and the survival of P. xylostella larvae. Interestingly, incubation of frass in the soil for 16 days before seed germination removed plant growth inhibition and increased plant leaf area, especially for MWF compared to NoFrass. In addition, composting MWF increased leaf growth. Therefore, frass may be used as a sustainable and natural alternative to conventional organic fertilisers, promoting plant growth and enhancing resistance to herbivory. Our results indicate that soil amendment with raw BSFF may negatively impact herbivore performance, whereas raw MWF may enhance herbivore performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) feeds on wheat bran and is considered both a pest and an edible insect. Its larvae contain proteins and essential amino acids, fats, and minerals, making them suitable for animal and human consumption. Zearalenone (ZEA) is the mycotoxin most commonly associated with Fusarium spp. It is found in cereals and cereal products, so their consumption is a major risk for mycotoxin contamination. One of the most important effects of ZEA is the induction of oxidative stress, which leads to physiological and behavioral changes. This study deals with the effects of high doses of ZEA (10 and 20 mg/kg) on survival, molting, growth, weight gain, activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and locomotion of mealworm larvae. Both doses of ZEA were found to (i) have no effect on survival, (ii) increase molting frequency, SOD, and GST activity, and (iii) decrease body weight and locomotion, with more pronounced changes at 20 mg/kg. These results indicated the susceptibility of T. molitor larvae to high doses of ZEA in feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 39 described species in three subgenera, the Gnaptorina is the second most species-rich genus in the subtribe Gnaptorinina (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae). In this study, a phylogeny of Gnaptorina was reconstructed based on one nuclear (28S-D2) and three mitochondrial (COI, Cytb, and 16S) gene fragments; multiple molecular species delimitation approaches were also implemented to assess the taxonomic status of larval specimens based on COI gene fragment. Larvae of five known species of the subgenus Hesperoptorina are described and illustrated for the first time: Gnaptorina nigera Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007, Gnaptorina tishkovi Medvedev, 1998, Gnaptorina brucei Blair, 1923, Gnaptorina himalaya Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007, Gnaptorina kangmar Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007. A key to larvae of four genera of the tribe Blaptini and a key to the known larvae of the genus Gnaptorina are provided. This study provides valuable morphological data for larval studies of the tribe Blaptini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Darkling beetles cause economic damage to several agricultural crops due to their common prevalence. This study has been designed because still no detailed study has been carried out on this topic in Sindh, Pakistan. This research has been done to investigate the distribution, diversity and taxonomic status of two sub-families Tenebrioninae (Latreille, 1802) and Pimeliinae (Latreille, 1802) of family Tenebrionidae. Methods: Species of subfamily Tenebrioninae and Pimeliinae were collected from the different parts of lower Sindh with the help of pitfall trap, light trap and hand-picking methods from 2018 to 2020. The most sources of collection for these species were the soil surface of diverse ranches, beneath the shaken and mountain regions, the stockpiles area/godown and the soil surface of the Wilderness range. Result: During the present study 300 individuals of Tenebrionidae were accumulated and classified into two subfamilies: Pimeliinae which consisted of Pimelia capito and Trachyderma phalistinia species and Tenebrioninae which consisted of Uloma excise and Aphitobius diaperinus species. However, Pimelia capito and Trachyderma phalistinia were recorded as new records for the first time from Sindh province. It has been observed that several of the larger species were flightless and unable to do high flight. i.e., Ulomo excise. However, this object is under inspection and requires further research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Yellow mealworm farming (Tenebrio molitor, Linnaeus, 1758) for food and feed is considered a more sustainable protein production method than livestock farming. Diets have an impact on the environmental and economic sustainability of the entire production cycle; as a result, there is a great interest in by-product-based diets. However, most evaluations of the efficacy of new diets are generally focused on larval performance, neglecting their suitability for the oviposition phase. The aim of this study was to validate diets supplemented with tomato pomace over a full breeding cycle. As an oviposition substrate, all the tomato pomace-supplemented diets outperformed the bran-yeast control diet (95:5 ratio). During the larval growth phase, the bran-tomato pomace-brewer's spent grain diet and the bran-tomato pomace-yeast diet performed similarly to the control diet supplemented with yeast. These diets were found to be suitable for the entire production cycle, demonstrating their efficacy in supporting larval growth. In conclusion, tomato pomace can be a valuable by-product in developing effective diets for T. molitor, most likely due to its contribution to sterols and fatty acids. Furthermore, its use could provide an alternative to the costly yeast-based supplement. By-product-based diets have the potential to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) production. However, evaluations of the efficacy of new diets are generally focused on larval performance, while the effect on adults is poorly understood. This aim of this study was to evaluate diets enriched with tomato pomace over a complete breeding cycle. The results showed that when used as an oviposition substrate, all the tested diets, including tomato pomace (T), outperformed the control bran-yeast diet (WY, 95:5 ratio), possibly due to the presence of cholesterol and linoleic acid. The adults fed with the bran-tomato pomace-brewer's spent grain diet (WTB, 50:27:23 ratio), the bran-tomato pomace-yeast diet (WTY, 50:41:9 ratio), and the bran-tomato pomace diet (WT, 50:50 ratio) produced significantly more larvae than those fed with the WY diet. The WTB diet (despite being yeast-free) performed similarly to the WY control diet during the subsequent larval growth phase, making it suitable for the entire production cycle. In conclusion, the results show that tomato pomace can be used a valid by-product in the formulation of efficient diets for the breeding of T. molitor and also provide an alternative to expensive yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring changes in species composition near active volcanoes is important to identify environmental factors that maintain biological diversity after major disturbances. We investigated the taxonomic composition of epigaeic beetles' assemblages in five mountains in north‐western Patagonia (Argentina) in the aftermath of the 2011 Puyehue Cordón‐Caulle Volcanic Complex eruption.The associations of beetle composition with the thermal environment, vegetation structure and soil characteristics were analysed using 10 m × 10 m plots with nine pitfall traps each, established 100 m apart in altitude on each mountain in 2005, 2006 (pre‐eruption) and 2012, 2015 and 2016 (post‐eruption).We found significant differences in beetle composition between forests and high‐Andean steppes before and after the eruption. The beetle composition of forests and high‐Andean steppes differed due to higher plant cover and lower pH and herb richness in forests. Six months after the eruption, the herbs almost disappeared and forests showed high ash accumulation and lower temperature than the high‐Andean steppes. In the medium term, plant cover, temperature and soil conditions—but not ash accumulation—remained as important correlates of beetle composition. Before the eruption, forest assemblages showed higher beetle diversity and Leiodidae indicator species, but Curculionidae predominated post‐eruption. Tenebrionidae and Carabidae were high Andean steppes indicators. Post‐eruption, the beetle composition in high‐Andean steppes did not change significantly except for an increase in Tenebrionidae indicator species.We concluded that the conservation of landscape diversity and environmental gradients maintaining the differentiation between ecoregions is essential to protect epigaeic beetle composition and for species survival after volcanic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera) is a pest of worldwide distribution and can cause destructive damage to stored grains. The physicochemical properties and varied effects against insect pests make plant extracts a potential alternative in the development of pesticides. Methods: In this study, we assayed the oleander leaf extract toxicity effects against T. castaneum adults in the laboratory. We used four concentrations of Oleander methanol leaf extract. Result: Exposure of T. castaneum adult to the oleander leaf extracts produced 100% mortality in the insecticidal bioassay, especially at 40% concentration. The mortality % ranged from 13.3-100% after 48 hrs. The mortality percentage of the red flour beetle adults decreased by increasing exposure periods. The mortality % was highly negatively correlated with exposure times (R= -0.97, P =.0001; R= -0.80 and P=.0001) at 40 and 20% concentrations, respectively. The overall results of the current study suggest that the leaf extract of Nerium oleander may possess potential insecticidal properties, which could potentially be employed in pest management. The infrared analysis of the oleander leaf extract showed many bioactive components associated with plant secondary metabolites; some of these identified phytochemical compounds have biological activity. Further, the phenol and flavonoid total were estimated. We conclude that the oleander leaf extract has the potential to be useful in managing stored grain insect pests, particularly T. castaneum, but that it must be handled and applied with extreme caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the advanced insect laboratory in the Department of Biology / College of Education for Girls / University of Kufa for the academic year 2020-2021 to evaluate the effectiveness of the fungus Beauveria bassiana in mortality percentages of the first and fourth larval instars of the red flour beetle Tribolium castanium. The results of the current study were the increase in the mortality percentages of the first larval instar with the increase in the concentrations of the fungal aqueous suspension, and the highest mortality percentage was 90% obtained on the seventh day of the experiment after being treated with a concentration of (4 %) of the aqueous extract of the fungus, while the highest mortality percentages were 80% in the fourth larval instar, after the 7 days of the experiment and the treatment at a concentration of (4 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified atmosphere is effective in controlling Tribolium castaneum Herbst, but it has adaptations. Comprehending the potential mechanism of resistance to T. castaneum in a modified atmosphere will help advance related management methods. This study conducted a comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to understand the physiological mechanism of T. castaneum in adapting to CO2 stress. Results showed that there were a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in T. castaneum treated with different concentrations of CO2. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed significant enrichment of DEGs mainly in binding, catalytic activity, cell, membrane, membrane part, protein-containing complex, biological regulation, and cellular and metabolic process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that different treatments had different effects on the metabolic pathways of T. castaneum. DEGs induced by 25% CO2 were involved in arginine and proline metabolism, and 50% air + 50% CO2 treatment affected most kinds of metabolic pathways, mainly the signal transduction pathway, including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, and thyroid hormone signaling. Ribosome and DNA replication were enriched under high CO2 stress (75% and 95%). The metabolomics revealed that different concentrations of CO2 treatments might inhibit the growth of T. castaneum through acidosis, or they may adapt to anoxic conditions through histamine and N-acetylhistamine. Multiple analyses have shown significant changes in histamine and N-acetylhistamine levels, as well as their associated genes, with increasing CO2 concentration. In conclusion, this study comprehensively revealed the molecular mechanism of T. castaneum responding to CO2 stress and provided the basis for an effectively modified atmosphere in the T. castaneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is a common pest of various stored commodities, globally. It is a notorious pest in terms of developing resistance against different insecticides used for its control. In the present study, T. castaneum population was selected with deltamethrin to investigate aspects related to deltamethrin resistance development, such as fitness tradeoff, stability, realized heritability and cross-resistance. After 12 continuous selections, deltamethrin-selected T. castaneum (Delta-Sel strain) developed 49.74-fold and 92.85-fold resistance as compared to field and unselected population, respectively. However, a decrease in level of deltamethrin resistance was observed when selection with deltamethrin was ceased for three generations (G12 to G15), which suggests the unstable nature of deltamethrin resistance. The realized heritability (h2) value for deltamethrin resistance was 0.05. The cost paid to develop resistance was observed as reduced fecundity and hatching (%), lower biotic potential, low relative growth rate, and prolonged developmental time, resulting in a decline in the growth potential of the Delta-Sel strain. No cross-resistance to imidacloprid and a very low cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos and bifenthrin was observed. Based on the results, it appears that utilizing insecticides with low or no cross-resistance by interchanging with deltamethrin can be an effective approach for managing resistance and maintaining T. castaneum's susceptibility to deltamethrin. These findings will be helpful for researchers to refine resistance management strategy for delaying resistance and impair survival of T. castaneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) is known to induce morphological abnormality in various parts of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, including its wings, antennae, eyes, legs, and reproductive organs. However, little is known about the effects of UV-C on T. castaneum's sugar content and enzyme activity. We investigated the concentrations of glucose and trehalose as well as changes in trehalase activity in different developmental stages following UV-C radiation at different exposure periods (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 min). In addition, the larval mortality and body weight were examined. A reduction in glucose content was recorded in 10-, 15- and 20-day-old larvae and trehalase enzyme activity was recorded in 5- and 10-day-old larvae, whereas an increase in trehalose content was found in adults irradiated with UV-C. In addition, UV-C radiation for 1–64 min caused larval mortality on the first and subsequent days post-irradiation. Moreover, UV-C irradiated larvae exhibited lower body weight, which aligned with the reduction of trehalase activity and glucose content from days 1–6 post-exposure, and the degree of these reductions corresponded to the exposure times. UV-C affected sugar content through the reduction of trehalase activity, and glucose declination may cause mortality in T. castaneum; however, further research is needed to provide a better understanding of the impact of UV-C on sugar metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive use of synthetic pesticides for pest management is harmful to human health and environment. Plants extract are promising active ingredients to produce safe and ecofriendly biopesticides as an alternative, while their physicochemical properties are a thoughtful issue to generate commercial formulates. Thus, nanotechnology plays an important role to solve this problem. In this study, nanobiopesticides of Moringa oleifera leaves (Moringaceae) were formulated using a polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilizer. The minimum particle size of M. oleifera nanosuspension was 174 nm with polydispersity index and zeta potential values of 0.354 and −13.2 mV, respectively. The morphology of M. oleifera nanobiopesticide was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy which showed spherical to the oval shape particles. The comparative pesticidal efficacy of M. oleifera extract and its nanosuspensions against stored product insects was conducted. The M. oleifera M3 nanosuspension showed significantly (P < 0.05) high insecticidal activity with a mortality rate of 83.00 ± 0.56 and 92.48 ± 3.12% after 72 h against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), respectively. Conversely, M. oleifera extract exhibited significantly low insecticidal efficacy with a mortality rate of 79.30 ± 2.64 and 81.15 ± 2.97% against Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica, respectively. The prepared nanoformulations showed high pesticidal potential may be suggested as ecofriendly, sustainable, and effective biopesticides against stored product insects. The Moringa oleifera nanobiopesticides showed effective and enhanced pesticidal potential against stored grain insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adult, pupa and larva of a new species, Gnaptorina (Gnaptorina) lhorongica Li, sp. nov., from northeastern Xizang, China are described and illustrated. The species was identified using molecular phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial fragments and one nuclear gene fragment (COI, Cytb, 16S, and 28S-D2). The taxonomic status of the new species is confirmed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. This study provides valuable molecular and morphological data for phylogenetic studies of the tribe Blaptini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Laena from Xiaolongshan in Gansu Province, China is described as Laena hui sp. nov. All Laena species known to occur in Gansu Province are reviewed, and an identification key is provided. The mitochondrial gene COI to confirm the identity of the new species, which is morphologically most similar and phylogenetically close to L. fengileana. The new species can be recognized by features of elytra and tibiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One of the main differences between the modern fauna of steppe and desert-steppe insects and the similar fauna of the Last Ice Age is the current leading position of darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), which are represented in fossil faunas only by singletons. We hypothesize that the reason lies in the insufficient cold resistance of these insects for successful overwintering. We studied the cold resistance of adults from five species of darkling beetles from the Altai Mountains that overwinter in the soil and the larvae from one such species. The ranges of three of these are limited from the north by the desert-steppe margin of Central Asia with extremely low air temperatures. More than 50% of individuals of these species in the experiment did not withstand cooling below −22 °C. Temperatures in the soil of natural habitats at a depth of 10 cm are close to or lower than the above values. Overwintering is therefore possible in places with greater snow thickness (hollows, wind shade of shrubs and large cereals). Since darkling beetles are now on the border of temperature resistance in the Altai, they likely did not exist in the much more severe conditions of the glacial periods in the Altai Mountains, West Siberian Plain, and Northeast Asia. The level of diversity and abundance of darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is the main difference between the late Pleistocene and modern insect faunas of arid regions. In the Pleistocene assemblages they are extremely rare, whereas in the modern ones they predominate. It is assumed that the reason for their rarity in fossil entomological complexes is their lack of cold resistance. The supercooling points (SCP) and low lethal temperatures (LLT) of adults from five species of Altai darkling beetles that overwinter in the soil and larvae from one such species were measured in the laboratory. All beetles supercooled at negative temperatures but could not survive freezing, with the average SCP of the most cold-resistant species between −25.7 and −21.7 °C (Bioramix picipes, Anatolica dashidorzsi, and Penthicus altaicus). However, 50% of the individuals from different species in the experiment died after exposure during two days at temperatures ranging from −22 to −20 °C. The focal species are distributed in parts of Central Asia with an extreme continental climate, and the temperatures measured in the soil of these natural areas turned out to be lower than or close to the limit of cold resistance of the beetles. Overwintering of darkling beetles is therefore only possible in areas with deep snow: in hollows, under bushes, and under large cereals. Darkling beetles with poor cold resistance could not have existed in the colder climate of the late Pleistocene, which explains their absence from fossil fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal niche segregation is a way to reduce competition over shared resources. Species with overlapping spatial niches often show plasticity and can use different activity times to minimize competition with and disturbance by other species. In many granivores, especially those living in their food resources, there is low competition over food, but other selective forces can drive distinct temporal activity times. Reproductive interference, that is, the interaction between individuals of different species during mate acquisition, can be such a driving force. Reproductive interference is a strong driving force for niche segregation between the co-occurring flour beetles Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Nevertheless, most studies on Tribolium spp. evaluated other selective forces, such as resource competition, which are potentially weaker. Here, we aimed to characterize the species' peak activity time and its plasticity when exposed to a possible reproductive interference cue. We used a synthetic aggregative pheromone, shared by both species, as a cue for potential reproductive interference. We compared temporal niche plasticity between the sexes because reproductive interference is known mainly to reduce the female's fitness. We found that both species' activity times were hard-wired to an endogenous clock and that the sexes differed in their peak activity time and activity level. However, once exposed to the aggregation pheromone, only females shifted their activity time to match that of conspecific males, hence expressing more plasticity than the males to reduce Reproductive interference. These findings suggest an important role of the aggregation pheromone in the process of niche segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow mealworm larvae (YML; Tenebrio molitor) are considered as a valuable insect species for animal feed due to their high nutritional values and ability to grow under different substrates and rearing conditions. Advances in the understanding of entomophagy and animal nutrition over the past decades have propelled research areas toward testing multiple aspects of YML to exploit them better as animal feed sources. This review aims to summarize various approaches that could be exploited to maximize the nutritional values of YML as an animal feed ingredient. In addition, YML has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial or bioactive agent to improve animal health and immune function in production animals. The dynamics of the nutritional profile of YML can be influenced by multiple factors and should be taken into account when attempting to optimize the nutrient contents of YML as an animal feed ingredient. Specifically, the use of novel land-based and aquatic feeding resources, probiotics, and the exploitation of larval gut microbiomes as novel strategies can assist to maximize the nutritional potential of YML. Selection of relevant feed supplies, optimization of ambient conditions, the introduction of novel genetic selection procedures, and implementation of effective post-harvest processing may be required in the future to commercialize mealworm production. Furthermore, the use of appropriate agricultural practices and technological improvements within the mealworm production sector should be aimed at achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. The issues highlighted in this review could pave the way for future approaches to improve the nutritional value of YML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most eukaryotic animals described in the world are insects. However, studies of morphometric measurements, isolation, and habitat differences are still very few for insects, especially desert insects. This study aimed to compare measurements of morphological traits of dissimilar Pimelia carinata populations as darkling beetle models in the Egyptian desert. A morphometric variations variable comparison was taken by a micrometer microscope for samples of 6 ecoregions from Egypt including; the Western Coastal Desert, El-Faiyum depression, oases of the Western Desert, Eastern Desert, Delta, and south Sinai. Morphological measurements depend upon twenty-one traits that were studied, using cluster analysis and principal component analysis to distinguish the different traits of populations. The first and second of the discriminant scores (Score 1 and Score 2) were registered at 77.64% and 24.61% of the complete variation in different samples. Multiple discriminant analyses detected clear morphometric variations between the populations of Western Desert, and Western Coastal Desert in the first cluster. while the second cluster comprises of Eastern Desert, El-Faiyum, and Nile Delta. The population of Sinai is present in a separate cluster. The traits showing maximum variability across beetle populations were those associated with morphological estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the insecticidal activities of Nepeta italica L. (Lamiaceae) extracts against Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pests along with chemical composition of the active extract. Topical and contact activity of three different extracts (hexane, n-butanol, water) of N. italica were evaluated against adults of the two pests. Chemical constituents of the active (hexane) extract were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) apparatus. The major compounds were determined as 2-tert-Butyl-6-methyl-phenol (4.94%), nonadecane (4.78%), 1,9-diepipresilphiperfolane-9,15-epoxide (4.47%), neophytadiene (3.49%) and palmitic acid (3.36%). It was found out that the concentration required to kill S. granarius adults (LC50: 758.343 ppm) after 96 h in topical application using hexane extracts was higher than the concentration required to kill T. confusum adults (LC50: 509.988 ppm). Likewise, when mortality times at the highest concentration were compared, the time required to kill S. granarius adults (LT50: 34.07 h) was found to be longer than the time required to kill T. confusum adults (LT50: 26.15 h). The results showed that N. italica hexane extract was highly effective in both application methods and it could be suggested to use as an alternative natural bioinsecticide in the management of these pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are used as a sustainable substitute for chemical insecticides and have been recognized as effective biocontrol agents for mitigating insect pest populations. In this study, a naturally-occurring beneficial EPF, Purpureocillium lilacinum CBBS3.12 (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) from a cabbage farm was isolated and identified by combining morphological and molecular (ITS rDNA region) diagnostic characters. Fungal morphological key characters were consistent with the established species description and were subsequently validated through their ITS rDNA sequences, showing high sequence similarities to P. lilacinum isolates from diverse geographical locations, such as Mexico, the USA, Austria, Israel, China, and India. Additionally, the pathogenicity of P. lilacinum CBBS3.12 against the last instar larvae of Zophobas morio (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was investigated, revealing significant variations in insect mortality based on different fungal concentrations. The highest mortality was recorded at a concentration of 6.0 x 108 spores mL−1, 6 and 12 days post-inoculation. This investigation underscores the promising capabilities of P. lilacinum CBBS3.12 as a biocontrol organism targeting Z. morio. The present study warrants a more comprehensive evaluation of its virulence against diverse agricultural pests and the identification of its active metabolites and compounds to enhance our understanding of its potential application in pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social behaviors vary among individuals, and social networks vary among groups. Understanding the causes of such variation is important for predicting or altering ecological processes such as infectious disease outbreaks. Here, we ask whether age contributes to variation in social behavior at multiple levels of organization: within individuals over time, among individuals of different ages, among local social environments, and among populations. We used experimental manipulations of captive populations and a longitudinal dataset to test whether social behavior is associated with age across these levels in a long-lived insect, the forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus). In cross-sectional analyses, we found that older beetles were less connected in their social networks. Longitudinal data confirmed that this effect was due in part to changes in behavior over time; beetles became less social over 2 years, possibly because of increased social selectivity or reproductive investment. Beetles of different ages also occupied different local social neighborhoods. The effects of age on behavior scaled up: populations of older individuals had fewer interactions, fewer but more variable relationships, longer network path lengths, and lower clustering than populations of young individuals. Age therefore impacted not only individual sociality but also the network structures that mediate critical population processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rearing substrates based on agri-food by-products are ideal for converting bioactive-rich waste and increasing insect quality. This approach is limited by the need to provide nutritionally balanced diets for farmed insects. In this study, we evaluated the possible use of tomato pomace (TP), an agro-industrial waste from tomato processing, as a component in rearing substrate for Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). We compared bran-based diets with tomato pomace (0%, 27%, 41%, and 100%). As brewer's spent grain and yeast, protein sources are used in mixed diets to ensure equal protein contents to the diet control. The results showed no difference in larval performance between diets, except for a longer time of the development in the TP100 diet. Generally, the efficiency indices worsened in diets with increasing TP. Conversely, lycopene and β-carotene increased in the harvested larvae, and the fatty acid composition wasimproved, with an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Maximum qualitative increases were obtained with the TP100 diet. The TP41 diet is the best balance between larval performance and qualitative improvement. Therefore, tomato pomace is suitable for the formulation of mealworm diets, even in high dosages when supplemented with proteins and carbohydrates. Tomato pomace (TP), an agricultural industrial waste product from the tomato processing industry, is valorized as a rearing substrate for Tenebrio molitor (L.). This study evaluated bran-based diets with increasing tomato pomace (0%, 27%, 41%, and 100%). Protein sources, such as brewer's spent grain and yeast, were used in TP27 and TP41 diets to ensure equal protein contents to the control diet. Results showed no different for larval and pupal weights between diets; however, the time of development significantly increases in TP100 compared to all diets. The feed conversion rate progressively increases from 2.7 to 4.3, respectively, from the control to the TP100 diet. Conversely, lycopene and β-carotene increase in the larvae. The fatty acid composition improves by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly α-linoleic acid). Although the best nutritional quality was obtained in T100, the TP41 is the optimal diet for balance between larval performance and qualitative improvement of larvae. Therefore, tomato pomace is suitable for the formulation of mealworm diets, even in high dosages, when supplemented with sustainable protein and carbohydrate sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in silica-based powders as a non-chemical alternative for safeguarding stored food grains from stored product insects. Previous research has indicated that the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), displays a higher tolerance to inert dusts. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the inert dusts may be influenced by their elemental composition and physical characteristics. To investigate this further, we conducted contact tests in concrete arenas to evaluate the efficacy of two amorphous silica powders, labeled as silica powder 1 and silica powder 2, which were obtained from Imery's Chemicals in Lompoc, CA, USA. Our findings revealed that exposing T. castaneum adults to silica powder 1, characterized by smaller particle sizes, was significantly more successful in inducing adult mortality and inhibiting the production of adult progeny at lower test concentrations compared to silica powder 2. Our results highlight the potential of these silica powders as a valuable tool for the control of T. castaneum for treating empty bin floors prior to the storage of newly harvested grains. The contact efficacy of two amorphous silica powders 1 and 2 procured from Imery's chemicals, Lompoc, CA, USA, were evaluated against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The efficacy of the silica two powders was evaluated by exposing 10 adults of T. castaneum to twelve different concentrations of silica powder 1 and 2 for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Mortality assessments were made after 14 d, and data on adult progeny production were recorded at 42 d. Complete mortality of T. castaneum was observed when adults were exposed for 36 h to concentrations of 1.5 to 5 g/m2 of silica powder 1. Conversely, in tests with silica powder 2, complete mortality was only achieved when adults were exposed for 48 h to concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 5 g/m2. Silica powder 1 exhibited greater efficacy in inhibiting adult progeny production in T. castaneum, particularly at a concentration of 2.0 g/m2 after 24 h exposure. Overall, silica powder 1 displayed superior performance in terms of adult mortality and the suppression of T. castaneum adult progeny production. This advantage can be attributed to the smaller particle size of silica powder 1 when compared to silica powder 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high desert regions of eastern California within the Great Basin are vast areas of shrub-dominated habitat heavily impacted by invasive exotic grasses and forbs. Trapping efforts within these areas provided distributional information about various surface-active arthropod taxa. Two groups with high species diversity and abundance encountered at our sites were the coleopteran families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae. Here, we report trapping of 45 species of carabids and 46 species of tenebrionids, along with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence data for 65 of these 92 species. These results build upon existing distributional information regarding these families in California and further refine our knowledge of the biodiversity of the understudied Great Basin provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor is commonly used as feed for pets and food for humans due to its rich nutrient contents. The beetle breeds prolifically and are reared in close proximity with their diet; known as substrates. However, the most commonly used substrate, wheat bran, is expensive making the rearing out of reach to many, especially in developing countries. This study evaluated the suitability of six other potential substrates; wheat flour, maize flour, Lucerne pellets, dog food, soya four and oats in comparison to wheat bran in order to explore a cost-effective alternative rearing substrate for mealworms. To achieve this, the mealworms were reared in a climate-controlled chamber and the total numbers, weight and the fecundity were determined for each substrate. Wheat bran and wheat flour produced the most mealworms, had the highest fecundity with wheat bran, Lucerne pellets an oat producing heavier worms than all other substrates. Maize flour, wheat flour and Lucerne, were found to be the most cost-effective alternative substrates for rearing mealworms with the cost per gram at 0.07, 0.05 and 0.04 US$ respectively. Both wheat flour and maize flour are easily accessible, have a long self-life thus ideal for both large-and small-scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), commonly known as the lesser mealworm, is a significant pest that infests stored grains and other amylaceous commodities. In addition, the species has also been recognized as a viable and environmentally friendly protein source. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the developmental response of this species across various temperature and moisture conditions. This study investigates the impact of temperature and moisture content of the commodity on the population growth of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In the first series of bioassays, the progeny production of A. diaperinus adults was recorded after 50 days of incubation under a range of temperatures from 25 to 40 °C in cracked soft wheat with 11.3% moisture content, while in the second series, the moisture content of the wheat was adjusted to 5, 10, 15, and 20%, at 30 °C. Our results show that temperature largely influences parental adult mortality of A. diaperinus. The most suitable temperatures for optimal larval development and adult survival were found to be within the spectrum of 25 to 32 °C. Moreover, we found that the moisture content of the wheat that served as rearing media was also a factor of significance, since a gradual decrease in the larval numbers was observed with an increase in the moisture content. The findings of this study provide data to further enhance the pest control strategies of A. diaperinus in poultry farms but also to establish mass rearing standards and facilitate the production of the species for efficient use as food and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribolium castaneum also known as red flour beetle is one of the most important pests of stored grain product with a cosmopolitan distribution in Nigeria and all over the world contributing to food spoilage. The aim of this study was to characterize the T. castaneum by morphometric and molecular analyses. Samples of yam flour with evidence of the red flour beetles present inside were obtained from four locations in Kwara, Kogi, Oyo and Ekiti states in Nigeria. Morphological and molecular identifications of T. castaneum were carried out using standard methods. A dissecting microscope was used to identify the beetles and measurements were taken using ImageJ. Genomic DNA was extracted and checked on 1.5% agarose gel to confirm the presence of DNA. Species-specific primers were used to amplify mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of T. castaneum and the PCR amplicon size was also checked on 1.5% agarose. Morphometric measurements showed that the highest mean number (33.00±4.24 mm) of T. castaneum larvae observed was recorded on day 61 in Ilorin and the lowest was in Iwo, Osun state (4.00±0.00 mm) on the same day. The mean of the total body length of larvae from sampling sites was (1.31±0.37 mm) with minimum and (1.63±1.14 mm) maximum lengths respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean length of the larvae collected from the study locations. Aligned cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences of 313bp were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood method showed that the T. castaneum sequences analyzed for this study and sequences obtained from GenBank formed a monophyletic group. The molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of a single species of T. castaneum. The results from this study showed low levels of genetic diversity and variability in the studied T. castaneum populations. The observed genetic similarity in T. castaneum could be due to the fact that they were probably from similar origin when compared with those in the GenBank database. However, further studies are needed with more samples to characterize T. castaneum species from stored food grains across Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lateralization in mating behavior seems to be a common feature among insects, including some pest species. The poultry pest, Alphitobius diaperinus, has a mating behavior and success that is affected by the interplay between its sexual identity and sexual experience. Although it is expected that the directionality of the displacement (i.e., lateralization and non-lateralization) during the mating display affects the mating success in A. diaperinus, it is unknown whether this is the case. In the present study, we evaluated how lateralized and non-lateralized movements of A. diaperinus adults affect mate success in relation to the sex and sexual experience of the mating pairs. The study highlights the impact of lateralization in mating behavior and the superior skills of experienced males to achieve mating success, which seems to be related to beetle learning. Our study addresses the importance of learning in improving beetle fitness and contributes to the growing understanding of lateralized behavior on insect mating behavior. This finding enhances our comprehension of these pests, potentially contributing to the eventual mitigation of their infestation within the poultry facility. In the present study, we explored the effects of displacement directionality in mating behavior (i.e., lateralized and non-lateralized movements) on mating success (i.e., copulation occurs) and efficiency (i.e., time length at which copulation is achieved), and its association with sex and sexual experience in A. diaperinus. To do so, we carried out mating experiments and recorded the behavior of the mating pair during the whole mating sequence (i.e., precopulatory and copulatory phases). During the precopulatory phase, independently of sex and sexual experience, all beetles performed non-lateralized (i.e., backside or frontside) approaches; however, only sexually experienced beetles showed lateralized approaches (i.e., right-side and left-side). Notably, experienced males exhibited greater mating success than virgin males. After the approach, both virgin and experienced males displayed lateralized and non-lateralized mounts on the females with distinct mating success. Regardless of their sexual experience, 100% of successful mating attempts were achieved when males mounted from the females' right side. Furthermore, the development of lateralized approaches and mounts reduces the time of mating sequence span compared with non-lateralized behaviors. We highlight the importance of lateralization in mating behavior and sexual experience to achieve higher mating success, addressing a potential learning ability of beetles based on experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philorea Erichson, 1834 (Pimeliinae: Physogasterini) is a South American endemic genus of the Desert, Puna and Atacaman biogeographic provinces, in the territories of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The objective of this work was to update the knowledge of the genus in the Peruvian territory, providing a checklist of species and new distribution records. From examination of 821 specimens, a total of 15 species of Philorea are recorded for Peru. Also distributions maps and comments about its distribution patterns are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tenebrionidae is widely recognized owing to its species diversity and economic importance. Here, we determined the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three Tenebrionidae species (Melanesthes exilidentata, Anatolica potanini, and Myladina unguiculina) and performed a comparative mitogenomic analysis to characterize the evolutionary characteristics of the family. The tenebrionid mitogenomes were highly conserved with respect to genome size, gene arrangement, base composition, and codon usage. All protein-coding genes evolved under purifying selection. The largest non-coding region (i.e., control region) showed several unusual features, including several conserved repetitive fragments (e.g., A+T-rich regions, G+C-rich regions, Poly-T tracts, TATA repeat units, and longer repetitive fragments) and tRNA-like structures. These tRNA-like structures can bind to the appropriate anticodon to form a cloverleaf structure, although base-pairing is not complete. We summarized the quantity, types, and conservation of tRNA-like sequences and performed functional and evolutionary analyses of tRNA-like sequences with various anticodons. Phylogenetic analyses based on three mitogenomic datasets and two tree inference methods largely supported the monophyly of each of the three subfamilies (Stenochiinae, Pimeliinae, and Lagriinae), whereas both Tenebrioninae and Diaperinae were consistently recovered as polyphyletic. We obtained a tenebrionid mitogenomic phylogeny: (Lagriinae, (Pimeliinae, ((Tenebrioninae + Diaperinae), Stenochiinae))). Our results provide insights into the evolution and function of tRNA-like sequences in tenebrionid mitogenomes and contribute to our general understanding of the evolution of Tenebrionidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to evaluate the insecticidal activities of an essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus globulus and a bioactive molecule, 1,8-Cineole against a stored product pest, Tribolium confusum (Jacquelin du Val, 1868). Toxicological tests carried out by fumigation revealed the insecticidal activity of these two treatments with a concentration–response relationship. In addition, the repellency test demonstrated the repulsive potential of these two treatments toward T. confusum. Furthermore, they activate enzymes of intermediary metabolism via an increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in T. confusum adults. Moreover, EO and its major component induce an increase of the lipid and carbohydrate contents in adults. Results of nutritional indices showed a decrease in the relative growth rate, relative consumption rate and efficiency of conversion of ingested food, accompanied by a decrease in digestive enzymes, α-amylase, chitinase, protease and lipase in treated series when compared with control. The results obtained indicate the potential use of this essential oil or its main component as an ecologically safe natural insecticide or repellent against stored wheat pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Laena species from northern Sichuan Province were reviewed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. Three molecular methods for species delimitation were firstly used in the genus Laena to explore species boundaries. The results show that the number of morphospecies and putative species using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) is consistent. Based on the results, two new species are described and illustrated: Laena mounigouica sp. nov. and Laena dentithoraxa sp. nov. New materials and distribution of 10 Laena species are also provided in this study. This work also provides valuable molecular data for species identification and phylogenetic analyses of the genus Laena and subfamily Lagriinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]