Phylogenetic Placement of the Plesioclytini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae)

The tribe Plesioclytini was recently erected for a single genus of cerambycine longhorn beetle. The group was diagnosed from a proposed sister lineage, the diverse Clytini; however, a formal phylogenetic analysis was not performed due to limitations in data availability. Here, we present a phylogenetic reconstruction from five loci, that Plesioclytini is not sister to Clytini, but is instead only distantly related. Subsequent morphological investigations provide additional support for this placement.

Genetic Diversity of a Rising Invasive Pest in the Native Range: Population Genetic Structure of Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in South Korea

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB; Aromia bungii [Faldermann, 1835]) is an emerging invasive pest. From its native range of East Asia, it invaded Europe and Japan in the early 2010s. Despite its increasing importance, the molecular resources of RLB are scarce, and its invasive dynamics are largely unknown. In the present study, we carried out the first analysis of its population genetic structure in South Korea, which is part of its native range, using 1248 bp cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 199 individuals from 18 localities. We found that in South Korea, RLB has a moderate population genetic structure and can be divided into three geographical subgroups: central, southeastern, and southwestern subgroup. Comparative analyses with two Chinese, one German, and ten Italian RLB sequences yielded non-significant results because of largely missing genetic data from other native areas. Nevertheless, as it provided the first population genetic data for this invasive alien species (IAS) whose range is increasing, our research is a crucial molecular resource for future invasive dynamics research.

Discovery of I-WP minimal-surface-based photonic crystal in the scale of a longhorn beetle

The structural colours of certain insects are produced by three-dimensional periodic cuticle networks. The topology of the cuticle network is known to be based on the mathematically well-defined triply periodic minimal surface. In this paper, we report the discovery of an I-WP minimal-surface-based photonic crystal on the scale of a longhorn beetle. In contrast to gyroid or diamond surfaces, which are found in butterfly and weevil scales, respectively, the I-WP surface is an unbalanced minimal surface, wherein two subspaces separated by the surface are different in terms of shape and volume fraction. Furthermore, adjacent photonic crystal domains were observed to share a particular crystal plane as their domain boundary, indicating that they were developed as twin crystals. These structural features pose certain new questions regarding the development of biological photonic crystals. We also performed an optical analysis of the structural colour of the longhorn beetle and successfully explained the wavelength of reflection by the photonic bandgap of the I-WP photonic crystal.

First Report of the Larch Longhorn (Tetropium gabrieli Weise, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Spondylidinae) on Larix spp. in Lithuania

Tetropium gabrieli is a longhorn beetle that usually attacks weakened larch trees. During prolonged summer droughts, T. gabrieli can form outbreaks, causing damages to larch stands. Although it is known in several European countries, in Lithuania it was detected for the first time in 2019. The detection of T. gabrieli indicates potential secondary damages to European larch and other larch species growing in the area.Abstract: Tetropium gabrieli is known to be native to the Alps in Europe where it breeds in European larch (Larix decidua), but it has spread to other areas and was reported in Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Belorussia. Although T. gabrieli is considered an important secondary pest of Larix spp., it can be particularly harmful to trees subjected to abiotic stress. Here we report that in Lithuania, T. gabrieli was for the first time captured in 2019 using sticky traps attached to Larix spp. trees. Two adult beetles were trapped at two different sites in central Lithuania, and this was in the period between 10th of May and 5th of June. Regarding potential threats caused by this insect pest, this new finding requires special attention, particularly on its biology, ecology, and local distribution.

Identification of Pheromone Components of Plagionotus detritus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and Attraction of Conspecifics, Competitors, and Natural Enemies to the Pheromone Blend

(1) Background: The principal aim of our work was to identify pheromone components for Plagionotus detritus (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which could be exploited for developing a pheromone-based monitoring system for the complementary purposes of plant protection in areas where it might become a pest, and natural conservation in areas where it is rare or endangered. (2) Methods: Collection and analysis of headspace volatiles were carried out with field-collected beetles. Bioactive volatile compounds identified [(R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and (S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one] from extracts of males were purchased [(±)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one], and synthesized [(S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one] and field-tested. Electroantennogram assays showed that antennae of the predatory beetle Clerus mutillarius F. (Coleoptera: Cleridae) also responded to the synthetic compounds. (3) Results: A two-component aggregation-sex pheromone consisting of (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and (S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one was identified for P. detritus. (±)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and (S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one attracted adults of P. detritus in field bioassays. Adults of the clerid C. mutillarius also were attracted to both compounds. The cerambycid Xylotrechus antilope Schönh was significantly attracted to traps baited with (S)-2-hydroxyoctan-3-one alone or the blend containing this compound. (4) Conclusions: Our data confirmed that 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and 2-hydroxyoctan-3-one are male-produced pheromone components for P. detritus. These results show that both intraspecific and interspecific communication may play key roles in longhorn beetle life history and ecology, with closely and more distantly related species eavesdropping on each other’s signals.

Successful Eradication of the Asian Longhorn Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, from North-Eastern Italy: Protocol, Techniques and Results

The Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is an important and extremely polyphagous wood-boring beetle native to Asia. In the 1990s, ALB was accidentally introduced into North America and Europe. In 2009, a large ALB infestation was found in the Veneto Region (north-eastern Italy), in the municipality of Cornuda (Treviso province). Eradication actions were immediately undertaken, based on delimitation of infested and buffer zones, tree visual inspections, felling and chipping of infested trees, trapping protocols, and citizen alerts. A total of 36,361 trees, belonging to 16 genera, were surveyed twice a year over an area of 7594 hectares. In 2020, after 11 years of eradication measures, the ALB population of Cornuda was declared eradicated. Overall, 2361 trees belonging to 8 genera were felled and destroyed, of which 1157 were found to be infested by ALB. This paper describes all the actions carried out and the procedures applied in order to eradicate ALB from north-eastern Italy, providing a useful example for current and future ALB eradication programs.

First records of Heteroglenea nigromaculata (Thomson, 1865) (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Saperdini) from India

We collected the longhorn beetle Heteroglenea nigromaculata (Thomson, 1865) (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Saperdini) for the first time in India. The presence of this species in Kerala, South India, considerably extends its distribution to the west. Though H. nigromaculata is known from adjacent countries such as China, Thailand, and Myanmar, it has not been documented from North or Northeast India. Adults were found in association with the Indian Screw Tree, Helicteres isora L. (Sterculiaceae). We include photographs of living H. nigromaculata and brief comments on morphology and colouration.

Spatial Distribution Pattern of Longhorn Beetle Assemblages (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Mongolian Oak (Quercus Mongolica) Forests in Changbai Mountain, Jilin Province, China

Background: Mongolian oak forest is a deciduous secondary forest with a large distribution area in the Changbai Mountain area. The majority of longhorn beetle species feed on forest resources, The number of some species is also large, which has a potential risk for forest health, and have even caused serious damage to forests. Clarifying the distribution pattern of longhorn beetles in Mongolian oak forests is of great scientific value for the monitoring and control of some pest populations. Methods: 2018 and 2020, flying interception traps were used to continuously collect longhorn samples from the canopy and bottom of the ridge, southern slope, and northern slope of the oak forest in Changbai Mountain, and the effects of topographic conditions on the spatial distribution pattern of longhorn beetles were analyzed. Results: A total of 4090 individuals, 56 species, and 6 subfamilies of longhorn beetles were collected in two years. The number of species and individuals of Cerambycinae and Lamiinae were the highest, and the number of Massicus raddei (Blessig), Moechotypa diphysis (Pascoe), Mesosa myopsmyops (Dalman), and Prionus insularis Motschulsky was relatively abundant. Topographic conditions did not affect the vertical distribution of richness and abundance of longhorn beetles in the forest, but topographic conditions and vertical height independently affected the composition and quantity of the beetle assemblages. The community composition of longhorn beetles in the forest bottom and canopy was significantly different, and the richness and abundance were higher in the canopy under good light conditions. Cerambycinae and Lamiinae preferred to be active in the canopy, Prioninae preferred to be active in the forest bottom, and Lepturinae did not show any difference in the bottom and the canopy. Conclusions: The composition of the longhorn beetle community on the ridge was significantly different from that on the southern slope and the northern slope, and the richness and abundance on the ridge and the southern slope were higher than those on the northern slope. Different species had different preferences for topographical conditions and vertical height, which indicated the adaptability of longhorn beetles in the forest.

Anoplophora huangjianbini sp. n. from Fujian and Guangxi, China (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)

The genus Anoplophora Hope, 1839 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Lamiini) includes 47 species (without subspecies) occurring in East, South and Southeast Asia. Amongst them, 38 species are known from CHINA. Members of this genus are familiar to Chinese people with a widely-used common name: “星天牛 [starry longhorn beetle]”. Anoplophora species have great economic importance, attacking and damaging numerous hardwood trees and some coniferous trees. A new species of starry longhorn beetle, Anoplophora huangjianbini sp. n. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Lamiini) is described from Fujian and Guangxi, CHINA. Diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated and comparison with closely-related congeners is provided.