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Current Biology : CB Jan 2017Joe Parker introduces the staphylinids or 'rove beetles', the most species-rich groups of insect on Earth.
Joe Parker introduces the staphylinids or 'rove beetles', the most species-rich groups of insect on Earth.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Coleoptera; Ecosystem; Models, Biological
PubMed: 28118583
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.07.050 -
Animal Cognition Nov 2021Spatial orientation is important for animals to forage, mate, migrate, and escape certain threats, and can require simple to complex cognitive abilities and behaviours.... (Review)
Review
Spatial orientation is important for animals to forage, mate, migrate, and escape certain threats, and can require simple to complex cognitive abilities and behaviours. As these behaviours are more difficult to experimentally test in vertebrates, considerable research has focussed on investigating spatial orientation in insects. However, the majority of insect spatial orientation research tends to focus on a few taxa of interest, especially social insects. Beetles present an interesting insect group to study in this respect, due to their diverse taxonomy and biology, and prevalence as agricultural pests. In this article, I review research on beetle spatial orientation. Then, I use this synthesis to discuss mechanisms beetles employ in the context of different behaviours that require orientation or navigation. I conclude by discussing two future avenues for behavioural research on this topic, which could lead to more robust conclusions on how species in this diverse order are able to traverse through a wide variety of environments.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Space Perception
PubMed: 33846895
DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01513-4 -
Archives of Insect Biochemistry and... Nov 2019Coleoptera, the order of insects commonly referred to as beetles, are able to survive in various environments, and thus, comprise the largest order in the animal... (Review)
Review
Coleoptera, the order of insects commonly referred to as beetles, are able to survive in various environments, and thus, comprise the largest order in the animal kingdom. Coleopterans mainly include coprophagous and phytophagous lineages, and many species of the latter lineage are serious pests. In addition to traditional chemical methods, biocontrol measures using various bacterial insecticidal proteins have also gradually been developed to control these insect pests. In this review, we summarized the possible coleopteran-pest-specific bacteria and insecticidal proteins that have been reported in the literature thus far and have provided a comprehensive overview and long-term guidance for the control of coleopteran pests in the future.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Biological Control Agents; Coleoptera; Endotoxins; Insect Control; Insecticides; Plants, Genetically Modified
PubMed: 31094011
DOI: 10.1002/arch.21558 -
Current Opinion in Genetics &... Aug 2021Insects have evolved tremendously diverse wing colour patterns that fulfil ecologically vital functions, including intraspecific sexual signalling, mimesis, mimicry, and... (Review)
Review
Insects have evolved tremendously diverse wing colour patterns that fulfil ecologically vital functions, including intraspecific sexual signalling, mimesis, mimicry, and detering predators. Beetles, which form the most species-rich order Coleoptera, have amazingly diverse wing colour patterns; however, the molecular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns remain poorly understood. Recently, the gene pannier (pnr), which encodes a transcription factor of the GATA family, was identified as an essential player in the wing patterning of the multi-coloured Asian ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis. Here we review recent progress in understanding the molecular underpinnings of wing colour pattern formation in H. axyridis.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Coleoptera; Color; Gene Expression Regulation; Phenotype; Pigmentation; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 33744509
DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.02.007 -
Planta Aug 2016Coleoptera, the largest and the most diverse Insecta order, is characterized by multiple adaptations to plant feeding. Insect-associated microorganisms can be important... (Review)
Review
Coleoptera, the largest and the most diverse Insecta order, is characterized by multiple adaptations to plant feeding. Insect-associated microorganisms can be important mediators and modulators of interactions between insects and plants. Interactions between plants and insects are highly complex and involve multiple factors. There are various defense mechanisms initiated by plants upon attack by herbivorous insects, including the development of morphological structures and the synthesis of toxic secondary metabolites and volatiles. In turn, herbivores have adapted to feeding on plants and further sophisticated adaptations to overcome plant responses may continue to evolve. Herbivorous insects may detoxify toxic phytocompounds, sequester poisonous plant factors, and alter their own overall gene expression pattern. Moreover, insects are associated with microbes, which not only considerably affect insects, but can also modify plant defense responses to the benefit of their host. Plants are also frequently associated with endophytes, which may act as bioinsecticides. Therefore, it is very important to consider the factors influencing the interaction between plants and insects. Herbivorous insects cause considerable damage to global crop production. Coleoptera is the largest and the most diverse order in the class Insecta. In this review, various aspects of the interactions among insects, microbes, and plants are described with a focus on coleopteran species, their bacterial symbionts, and their plant hosts to demonstrate that many factors contribute to the success of coleopteran herbivory.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Biological Evolution; Coleoptera; Ecosystem; Herbivory; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plants; Symbiosis
PubMed: 27170360
DOI: 10.1007/s00425-016-2543-1 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Feb 2018The order Coleoptera (beetles) is arguably the most species-rich lineage of animals. Beetles exhibit an extraordinary variety of life histories and occupy most... (Review)
Review
The order Coleoptera (beetles) is arguably the most species-rich lineage of animals. Beetles exhibit an extraordinary variety of life histories and occupy most terrestrial environments. Whole genome sequences are available for 11 beetle species, only six of which have been published. Studies of beetle genomes have revealed remarkable new insights into the genomic basis and evolution of beetle life histories and other aspects of beetle biodiversity, including the genes underlying chemoperception, detoxification, and specialized plant feeding, as well as the role of horizontal gene transfer in elaboration of the beetle trophic repertoire. Nonetheless, such studies are in their infancy. The study of beetle genomes has the potential to further revolutionize our understanding of beetle biodiversity, but genomic studies of beetles remain seriously limited in scope and resolution by the very few genomes that are currently available for study.
Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Coleoptera; Female; Genome, Insect; Male; Phylogeny
PubMed: 29602365
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.12.002 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Oct 2020Size is a key to locomotion. In insects, miniaturization leads to fundamental changes in wing structure and kinematics, making the study of flight in the smallest...
Size is a key to locomotion. In insects, miniaturization leads to fundamental changes in wing structure and kinematics, making the study of flight in the smallest species important for basic biology and physics, and, potentially, for applied disciplines. However, the flight efficiency of miniature insects has never been studied, and their speed and maneuverability have remained unknown. We report a comparative study of speeds and accelerations in the smallest free-living insects, featherwing beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), and in larger representatives of related groups of Staphylinoidea. Our results show that the average and maximum flight speeds of larger ptiliids are extraordinarily high and comparable to those of staphylinids that have bodies 3 times as long. This is one of the few known exceptions to the "Great Flight Diagram," according to which the flight speed of smaller organisms is generally lower than that of larger ones. The horizontal acceleration values recorded in Ptiliidae are almost twice as high as even in Silphidae, which are more than an order of magnitude larger. High absolute and record-breaking relative flight characteristics suggest that the unique morphology and kinematics of the ptiliid wings are effective adaptations to flight at low Reynolds numbers. These results are important for understanding the evolution of body size and flight in insects and pose a challenge to designers of miniature biomorphic aircraft.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Coleoptera; Flight, Animal; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 32958659
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012404117 -
Insect Molecular Biology Feb 2020The insect odorant receptors (ORs) are amongst the largest gene families in insect genomes and the primary means by which insects recognize volatile compounds. The...
The insect odorant receptors (ORs) are amongst the largest gene families in insect genomes and the primary means by which insects recognize volatile compounds. The evolution of ORs is thus instrumental in explaining the chemical ecology of insects and as a model of evolutionary biology. However, although ORs have been described from numerous insect species, their analysis within and amongst the insect orders has been hindered by a combination of limited genomic information and a tendency of the OR family toward rapid divergence, gain, and loss. We addressed these issues in the insect order Coleoptera through a targeted genomic annotation effort that included 1181 ORs from one species of the sister order Strepsiptera and 10 species representing the four coleopteran suborders. The numbers of ORs in each species varied from hundreds to fewer than 10, but coleopteran ORs could nevertheless be represented within a scheme of nine monophyletic subfamilies. We observed many radiations and losses of genes amongst OR subfamilies, and the diversity of ORs appeared to parallel the host breadth of the study species. However, some small lineages of ORs persisted amongst many coleopteran families, suggesting receptors of key function that underlie the olfactory ecology of beetles.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Insect; Phylogeny; Receptors, Odorant
PubMed: 31381201
DOI: 10.1111/imb.12611 -
International Journal of Biological... Feb 2020Chitins were extracted from large insect species of order Coleoptera (Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lucanidae) and Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeidae)...
Chitins were extracted from large insect species of order Coleoptera (Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lucanidae) and Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeidae) and order Orthoptera (Bradyporus (Callimenus) sureyai Ünal, 2011) (Tettigonidae) and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gryllotalpidae)) for the first time. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) confirms that isolation of chitin is successful. Yields of chitins on dry basis from P. fullo, L. cervus, G. gryllotalpa and B. (C.) sureyai are 11.3%, 10.9%, 10.1% and 9.8% respectively. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed a variety of thermal stability of chitin samples from 614 °C to 748 °C with a small percent of ash. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed a crystallinity index percent from 80.6% to 85.2%. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was examined for surface characterization determining as fibrous and porous for all species and changes from nm scales to μm scales. Elemental analysis has been applied to determine the elemental composition of chitin and nitrogen percent was relatively low for all specimens than expected. It is detected that examined insects have α-chitin form from XRD and FT-IR data. If these species can be grown in the laboratory, adults of them could be accepted as promising alternative chitin sources without negative effects on biodiversity.
Topics: Animals; Biopolymers; Chemical Fractionation; Chitin; Coleoptera; Orthoptera; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Thermogravimetry; X-Ray Diffraction
PubMed: 31883897
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.194 -
Journal of Proteome Research Oct 2022Neuropeptides are signaling molecules that regulate almost all physiological processes in animals. Around 50 different genes for neuropeptides have been described in...
Neuropeptides are signaling molecules that regulate almost all physiological processes in animals. Around 50 different genes for neuropeptides have been described in insects. In , which is the largest insect order based on numbers of described species, knowledge about neuropeptides and protein hormones is still limited to a few species. Here, we analyze the neuropeptidomes of two closely related tenebrionid beetles: and ─both of which are model species in physiological and pharmacological research. We combined transcriptomic and mass spectrometry analyses of the central nervous system to identify neuropeptides and neuropeptide-like and protein hormones. Several precursors were identified in and , of which 50 and 40, respectively, were confirmed by mass spectrometry. This study provides the basis for further functional studies of neuropeptides as well as for the design of environmentally friendly and species-specific peptidomimetics to be used as biopesticides. Furthermore, since has become accepted by the European Food Safety Authority as a novel food, a deeper knowledge of the neuropeptidome of this species will prove useful for optimizing production programs at an industrial scale.
Topics: Animals; Biological Control Agents; Coleoptera; Hormones; Larva; Neuropeptides; Peptidomimetics; Tenebrio
PubMed: 36107737
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00694