Search results for "Beetles"
showing 10 items of 35 documents
Molecular barcoding for central-eastern European Crioceris leaf-beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
2011
Abstract Among Crioceris leaf-beetles, the two most widespread species (Crioceris asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata) are serious invasive plant pests, while another two (C. quatuordecimpunctata and C. quinquepunctata) are rare species restricted to steppe-like habitats in Eurasia. The aim of the research was to check the genetic distinctiveness of these four species and develop barcodes for their molecular identification using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene and two nuclear markers: Elongation Factor 1-α (EF1-α) and Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1). The identification of each species was possible and reliable with the use of COI and ITS1 markers. EF1-α was omitted in an…
Post-fire beetle succession in a biodiversity hotspot: Białowieża Primeval Forest
2020
Abstract Fires can heavily impact forest ecosystems but fire consequences for animal communities at burned and control sites are rarely investigated in natural forests. Here we present a 10-year study of post-fire beetle succession in natural ecosystem of Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland, being a hotspot for beetle fauna. We sampled beetles at burned and unburned (control) sites and compared local alpha and regional gamma diversity between treatments and over time. In total, 27,958 individuals belonging to 630 beetle species were recorded. Average species richness (alpha diversity) and density per sample was higher in burned forest than in control sites, and this difference was especially…
Habitat area and local habitat conditions outweigh fragmentation effects on insect communities in vineyards
2022
Fragmentation of habitat, for example by intensive agricultural practices, can be detrimental to local biodiversity. However, it often remains unclear whether such biodiversity declines are caused by loss of habitat area or increased fragmentation, and how habitat quality factors into it. In our study system, vegetated vineyards are typically small, and isolated from one another, potentially limiting the distribution and dispersal of organisms. In a full-factorial experiment of a priori selected vegetated vineyard patches of differing size and fragmentation, we aimed to disentangle the effects of habitat area (area of vegetated vineyards), habitat fragmentation (number of vegetated vineyard…
Ptiliolum marginatum (Aube, 1850) (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)– gatunek nowy dla Polski z Białowieskiego Parku Narodowego
2021
We present the first record of Ptiliolum marginatum for Poland. The specimens have been extracted from two nests of the wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in 2020, during investigations of the invertebrate fauna inhabiting bird nests. The samples were collected in the strictly protected part of the Białowieża National Park, in eastern Poland. We provide general information on the geographical distribution of Ptiliolum marginatum in Europe, the state of knowledge of the genus Ptiliolum in Poland, and further documentation including colour photographs of dorsal and ventral habitus, and characteristic features of hind femora and spermatheca of females.
Redescription of the forgotten New Caledonian weevil genus
2018
Abstract Callistomorphus is one of the “forgotten” genera of the tribe Eugnomini inhabiting rain forest in New Caledonia. In this paper, the genus Callistomorphus and the type species C.farinosus are redescribed. Eight new species, Callistomorphusfundatussp. n., C.gibbussp. n., C.malleussp. n., C.minimussp. n., C.rutaisp. n., C.szoltysisp. n., C.torosussp. n. and C.turbidussp. n., are described, originating from the main island of New Caledonia. Illustrations and SEM photographs of the external morphology and the male and female terminalia are provided, as well as dorsal habitus colour photographs of the adults, a key to the species, a distribution map, and a discussion of the systematic po…
From arsenic to DDT: Pesticides, Fascism and the invisibility of toxic risks in the early years of Francoist Spain (1939-1953)
2021
This paper reviews the way in which Spanish agriculture climbed onto the pesticide treadmill. We claim that Fascist policies and expert advice assembled in the early 1940s accelerated the introduction of pesticides into Spanish agriculture and promoted the emergence of the Spanish pesticide industry in the times of autarky. Agricultural engineers were the key protagonists in this process, but other human and non-human actors also played a pivotal role: a new pest (the Colorado beetle), Francoist politicians, farmers, landowners and industry managers. Our focus is on the use of pesticides against the Colorado beetle (the main threat to the potato crop), and the transition from arsenical pest…
Chrząszcze saproksyliczne Karkonoszy. Część I - wykaz gatunków
2016
Założenia. W północnej (polskiej) części Karkonoszy nie prowadzono dotychczas gruntownych studiów fauny związanej z obumierającymi drzewami i rozkładającym się drewnem, mimo że w latach osiemdziesiątych i dziewięćdziesiątych ubiegłego wieku środowisko tych gór zostało dotknięte klęską zamierania lasów. Do dzisiaj, w wyniku procesów rozpadu drzewostanów, utrzymuje się wysoki zapas martwych drzew i rozkładającego się drewna. Celem przeprowadzonych prac inwentaryzacyjnych było rozpoznanie chrząszczy saproksylicznych występujących w środowiskach leśnych Karkonoszy. Materiał i metody. Prace realizowano w latach 2013–2015 w 10 obiektach badawczych reprezentujących środowiska lasów regla dolnego, …
Kantojen ja metsänreunan etäisyyden vaikutus kaarnakuoriaisten jakautumiseen hakkuuaukoissa
2017
Viime vuosina kantojen korjuu energiapuuksi on lisääntynyt, mikä vähentää eliöstön monimuotoisuutta hakkuualoilla. Hakkuuaukoille jätetyt kannot tarjoavat resursseja esimerkiksi kaarnakuoriaisille, jotka ovat nilaa syöviä kovakuoriaisia. Kaarnakuoriaiset toimivat tärkeinä lahottajina aloittaen lahotusprosessin, mutta toisaalta ne aiheuttavat myös taloudellisia tappioita vahingoittaessaan metsäteollisuudessa käytettävää puuta. Kantojen jättäminen hakkuuaukolle voi herättää taloudellisesta näkökulmasta huolen, että kaarnakuoriaiset lisääntyvät kantojen myötä myös terveessä pystymetsässä. Tutkimuksessa tavoitteena oli selvittää, houkuttelevatko kannot kaarnakuoriaisia ja vaikuttaako kantojen s…
Key carabid species drive spring weed seed predation of Viola arvensis
2020
Experimental evidence suggests that specular reflectance and glossy appearance help amplify warning signals
2017
AbstractSpecular reflection appears as a bright spot or highlight on any smooth glossy convex surface and is caused by a near mirror-like reflectance off the surface. Convex shapes always provide the ideal geometry for highlights, areas of very strong reflectance, regardless of the orientation of the surface or position of the receiver. Despite highlights and glossy appearance being common in chemically defended insects, their potential signalling function is unknown. We tested the role of highlights in warning colouration of a chemically defended, alpine leaf beetle, Oreina cacaliae. We reduced the beetles’ glossiness, hence their highlights, by applying a clear matt finish varnish on thei…