Research on dung beetles is uncovering surprising insights into both the history of this ancient family of insects and the value of the ecological services many species provide. For one, some dung beetles are far older than scientists realized. An Australian and Czech research team found molecular evidence that the scarab beetle subfamily Scarabaeinae evolved 115 million to 120 million years ag...

very little information exists in regards to the control options available for potato flea beetles, epitrix spp. this short review covers both chemical and ecological options currently available for control of epitrix spp. synthetic pyrethroids are the weapon of choice for the beetles. however, the impetus in integrated pest management is to do timely (early-season) applications with something ...

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate lures for adult green June beetles, Cotinis nitida (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), for future use in a mass trapping program. Volatile organic compounds collected from headspace of green June beetles feeding on fermenting ripe apple (Malus spp.), the natural lure that elicits feeding aggregations, were identified and confirmed by gas chroma...

Aerially applied adherent corn flour granules containing 1% malathion were more often as, or more, effective than 15% chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 15G) granules in controlling caterpillars and sap beetles in high amylose corn in 1997 than 1996. Use of malathion granules corresponding closely in size to chlorpyrifos granules in the second year of the study apparently increased relative efficacy. Signif...

Madagascar has a rich fauna of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae) withalmost 300 species described to date. Like most other taxa in Madagascar, dung beetles exhibit an exceptionally high level of endemism (96% of the species). Here,we review the current knowledge of the origin and diversification of Malagasy dung beetles. Based on molecular phylogenies, the extant dung beetles originate...

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) support numerous ecosystem functions in livestock-grazed pastures. Exposure to veterinary anthelmintic residues in livestock dung can have lethal and sublethal effects on dung beetles, and can reduce rates of dung removal, but the immediate and longer-term consequences for other dung beetle mediated functions have rarely been studied. We investigated the...

A field test was conducted whereby adult Tribolium confusum (du Val), the confused flour beetle, were exposed in Petri dishes lined with filter paper and containing 0–2000mg of flour, to a pyrethrin–CO2 aerosol inside an empty warehouse. Applications were made according to label directions, and beetles were exposed to the aerosol for 2 h. After exposure, knockdown was assessed, and beetles were...

Deep level insect relationships are generally difficult to resolve, especially within taxa of the most diverse and species rich holometabolous orders. In beetles, the major diversity occurs in the Phytophaga, including charismatic groups such as leaf beetles, longhorn beetles and weevils. Bark and ambrosia beetles are wood boring weevils that contribute 12 percent of the diversity encountered i...