Beetles: What to Know

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera, are one of the most diverse groups of insects, with a wide range of species exhibiting various behaviors, habitats, and impacts on their environments. This article explores the effects of beetles on different ecosystems, their behavioral responses to environmental stimuli, and their reproductive fitness.

Effects on Honey Bee Colonies

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) has significant impacts on honey bee colonies, particularly those of European-derived honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the United States compared to Cape honey bees (Apis mellifera capensis) in South Africa. Research indicates that adult small hive beetles cause more harm to European honey bee colonies, leading to reduced bee populations, brood area, and flight activity, which are symptomatic of absconding preparation. In contrast, Cape honey bees exhibit greater resilience, using more propolis and maintaining higher honey stores despite beetle presence1.

Behavioral Responses to Magnetic Fields

The ground beetle Laemostenus punctatus shows increased motor activity when exposed to a static magnetic field of 110 mT. This exposure leads to heightened travel distance and average speed in the initial minutes of observation, suggesting that magnetic fields can influence beetle behavior by affecting their orientation and movement control centers2.

Impact of Prescribed Burns on Beetle Activity

Prescribed burns in longleaf pine stands affect the activity of conifer-infesting beetles. Non-aggressive beetle species, such as root beetles and ambrosia beetles, are attracted to burned plots, with their numbers correlating positively with burn severity. However, aggressive tree-killing bark beetles like Dendroctonus terebrans and Ips grandicollis do not show increased attraction to these sites. Tree mortality in burned areas is significantly associated with burn severity, with most mortality occurring in the second and third years post-burn3.

Seasonal Emergence and Reproductive Fitness

The timing of seasonal emergence influences the longevity and reproductive fitness of northern and western corn rootworms (Diabrotica barberi and D. virgifera virgifera). Early-emerging beetles exhibit greater longevity and fecundity compared to those emerging later in the season. This suggests that early-emerging beetles are generally healthier and more reproductively fit, which has implications for late-season management and suppression programs4.

Conclusion

Beetles exhibit a wide range of behaviors and impacts on their environments, from affecting honey bee colonies to responding to magnetic fields and prescribed burns. Understanding these behaviors and their ecological consequences is crucial for managing beetle populations and mitigating their effects on ecosystems.

Disclaimer

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