Attagenus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Attageninae) in Turkey with a description of a new species

A new species of the large genus Attagenus Latreille, 1802, A. hadesi sp. n. from Turkey is described and illustrated. Morphological characteristics useful for identification are provided. A list of species of Attagenus from Turkey is also given

Redescription of Anthrenus (s. str.) flavidulus Reitter, 1889, and a new synonym in Palaearctic Anthrenus Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The comparison of the morphology of the dorsal patterns, aedeagus, sternite IX and mouthparts of Anthrenus (s. str.) miniatulus Reitter, 1899 and Anthrenus (s. str.) flavidulus Reitter, 1889 proved that they belong to the same species. A photo of each adult form and male genitalia is provided. The name Anthrenus miniatulus Reitter, 1899 is proposed to become a junior synonym of Anthrenus flavidulus Reitter, 1889. Since Anthrenus miniatulus have also been found in Syria, the country name is now added to the distribution list of Anthrenus flavidulus

Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae

Hastisetae are a specific group of detachable setae characterizing the larvae of Megatominae (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), commonly known as carpet and khapra beetles. These setae are located on both thoracic and abdominal tergites and they are the primary defense of the larva against invertebrate predators. According to previous studies, the main purpose of hastisetae is to work as a mechanical obstacle, but they are also capable to block and kill a predator. Hastisetae, single or aggregate, function as an extremely efficient mechanical trap, based on an entangling mechanism of cuticular structures (spines and hairs) and body appendages (antennae, legs and mouthparts). It is believed that this defensive system evolved primarily to contrast predation by invertebrates, however it has been observed that hastisetae may affect vertebrates as well. Although information on the impacts of vertebrate predators of the beetles is lacking, hastisetae have been shown to be a possible threat for human health as an important contaminant of stored products (food and fabric), work and living environment. Review of past and recent literature on dermestid larvae has revealed that despite these structures indicated as one of the distinctive characters in species identification, very little is known about their ultrastructure, evolution and mechanism of action. In the present work, we will provide the state of knowledge on hastisetae in Dermestidae and we will present and discuss future research perspectives intended to bridge the existing knowledge gaps

The pollination of Epipactis Zinn, 1757 (Orchidaceae) species in Central Europe – the significance of chemical attractants, floral morphology and concomitant insects

A series of studies on pollination biology of the Epipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Besser, E. purpurata Sm., and E. palustris (L.) Crantz populations was conducted in Poland, Lithuania and Czech Republic between 2003 and 2010. The research focused on pollinators and visitors to aforementioned orchid species as well as on the chemical analysis of orchids' nectar which was done using the GC/MS method. It was found that: 1) the type of pollinators depends on the orchid population size and the surrounding environment, where the temperature and amount of precipitation during the vegetative season are the most vital factors; 2) pollinators and visitors to the examined orchids might differ in successive growing seasons; 3) the studied Epipactis species differ in the chemical composition of their nectar and its scent, which can influence their pollination biology; 4) the tendency to autogamy observed in E. purpurata might be due to lack of pollinators in its habitats

The pollination of Epipactis Zinn, 1757 (Orchidaceae) species in Central Europe – the significance of chemical attractants, floral morphology and concomitant insects

A series of studies on pollination biology of the Epipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Besser, E. purpurata Sm., and E. palustris (L.) Crantz populations was conducted in Poland, Lithuania and Czech Republic between 2003 and 2010. The research focused on pollinators and visitors to aforementioned orchid species as well as on the chemical analysis of orchids' nectar which was done using the GC/MS method. It was found that: 1) the type of pollinators depends on the orchid population size and the surrounding environment, where the temperature and amount of precipitation during the vegetative season are the most vital factors; 2) pollinators and visitors to the examined orchids might differ in successive growing seasons; 3) the studied Epipactis species differ in the chemical composition of their nectar and its scent, which can influence their pollination biology; 4) the tendency to autogamy observed in E. purpurata might be due to lack of pollinators in its habitats

A review of the Attagenus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) species from South Africa and an image-based key to identification

The Dermestidae is a relatively poorly studied family of insects but with a high rate of species discovery. The South African region is particularly rich in Attagenus spp. many of which are distinctively patterned. This study provides an updated list of Attagenus spp. in South Africa with a complete literature review and an image-based identification key to the Attagenus species within South Africa. Images of most species are provided. With the rise in significance of citizen science recording schemes, this study facilitates image-based identification and encourages both entomologists and citizen scientists to further contribute to the understanding of this beautiful Coleopteran family

Revision of taxonomic status of Anthrenus pimpinellae isabellinus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

For 160 years, Anthrenus pimpinellae isabellinus Küster, 1848 has been considered a subspecies of A. pimpinellae Fabricius, 1775. However, habitus shape differs between the subspecies with A. p. isabellinus being broader than A. p. pimpinellae and resembling more closely A. dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868. Here A. p. pimpinellae and A. p. isabellinus, are examined to look for evidence that they comprise a single taxonomic unit. Habitus and genital structures are considered, and the universal animal barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene is sequenced. The results of the morphological, morphometric, and genetic analyses mirror each other perfectly and suggest that A. p. isabellinus is the same species as A. dorsatus rather than being a subspecies of A. pimpinellae. The very small intraspecific DNA sequence variation supports the view that A. dorsatus and A. p. isabellinus belong to a single species that diverges considerably from A. p. pimpinellae. Morphology, including genital structure, is congruent with the genetic data and provides a powerful way of resolving species organisation in these widespread beetles. In view of these findings, Anthrenus isabellinus Küster, 1848 is restored to full species status and Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 becomes its new junior subjective synonym

Figures 16-21 from: Kadej M (2018) Larva and pupa of Ctesias (s. str.) serra (Fabricius, 1792) with remarks on biology and economic importance, and larval comparison of co-occurring genera (Coleoptera, Dermestidae). ZooKeys 758: 115-135. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.758.24477

Updated descriptions of the last larval instar (based on the larvae and exuviae) and first detailed description of the pupa of Ctesias (s. str.) serra (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) are presented. Several morphological characters of C. serra larvae are documented: antenna, epipharynx, mandible, maxilla, ligula, labial palpi, spicisetae, hastisetae, terga, frons, foreleg, and condition of the antecostal suture. The paper is fully illustrated and includes some important additions to extend notes for this species available in the references. Summarised data about biology, economic importance, and distribution of C. serra are also provided. The comparison of larval characteristics for some of the genera of Dermestidae co-occurring with Ctesias is presented. A key for identification of these genera is also provided

Figures 17-21 from: Kadej M (2017) Larva and pupa of Megatoma (s. str.) undata (Linnaeus, 1758) with remarks on biology and economic importance (Coleoptera, Dermestidae). ZooKeys 698: 59-74. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.698.14049

An updated description of the final larval instar and pupa of Megatoma (s. str.) undata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. Several morphological characteristics of M. undata larvae are documented and discussed: antenna, epipharynx, mandibula, maxilla, ligula with labial palpi, hastisetae, terga, and condition of the antecostal suture. The paper is fully illustrated and includes some important additions to extend notes on this species available in the references. Summarised data about biology, economic importance, and distribution of M. undata are also provided

Dermestes (s.str.) haemorrhoidalis (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)—The Most Frequent Species on Mummified Human Corpses in Indoor Conditions? Three Cases from Southwestern Poland

Beetles of the family Dermestidae, especially of the genus Dermestes Linnaeus, 1758, are often identified on corpses in late stages of decomposition. They usually feed on remains devoid of organs and soft tissues or when the corpses undergo mummification. In Europe, eight species from two subgenera Dermestes and Dermestinus Zhantiev, 1967, have so far been identified on human corpses. Despite the relatively frequent presence of Dermestes sp. in experimental studies conducted in Poland, no reports concerning Dermestes directly collected from human corpses have been published to date. This article again describes observations of Dermestidae collected from human corpses found in indoor conditions in Wrocław, the capital of the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship. For the second time, there is evidence of the presence of Dermestes (s.str.) haemorrhoidalis on human corpses—a species considered to be relatively rare, as evidenced by faunistic data published from Poland, as well as the results of ongoing experiments of forensic interest