Red Flour Beetle Aggregation

The Red flour beetle feeds on grain which is why it is considered a pest. Understanding their aggregation behavior can help us to find new ways to control them. What we don’t yet know is what makes them group together the way they do, whether it be instinctive or a learned behavior. If the beetles are driven by strain-specific behaviors, then we should see a greater proportion of them aggregate with the same strain, which would mean they follow instinctive behavior. The results showed to be contradictory to the original hypothesis. The beetles seemed to show learned behavior due to them grouping more with beetles from the same starting environment rather than the same strain. These results tell us that we need to consider the environment, not just genetic strains, when trying to develop control strategies

Temperature stressed males are less attractive to female red flour beetles

Male red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) are shown to attract females through an aggression pheromone that may be altered due to varying degrees of stress (Wade, 1984). If these females do follow certain pheromone cues, then we would predict that they have a preference when given a choice between stressed and non-stressed males. This was tested by putting two sets of temperature stressed and non-stressed males in an arena with females and noting each interaction through a series of trials. By taking note of each mating, aggression, and simple encounter, we were able to find that females do prefer a non-stressed male. While stress can suppress multiple mechanisms in beetles, this sexual preference study provides insights into the reproductive processes of this pest and other invertebrates

Beecoming Modern

As an architecture student I am constantly looking at nature for design inspirations, and my search often leads me to the structure and design of bees. These tiny creatures are some of the best builder, but their habitat is being destroyed day after day by human development. To combat this, “bee blocks” are often used to provide shelter for the bees, so that they can hibernate and remain undisturbed. However, these blocks lack the ingenuity and complex design ability that bees used to place in their structures. So, in order to regain what they lost, I decided to reimagine the traditional bee block. ! Accomplish this goal involved researching the previous man-made and bee-made structures was crucial, along with finding out key elements required to build this structure so that it is safe for bees. After doing this research, I then worked on redesigning it in a way that drew inspiration from original bee structures, without losing its actual functionality. This ended with a sculpture like design, that is fully functional, and relatively easy to build; making it a structure both worthy of the bee’s presence, easy for the average individual to build, and perfect in helping preserve future bee populations

Inbreeding Affects on Beetle Clustering

The Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum; Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a common pest in many grain mills (Baldwin and Fasulo 2010) and found wherever grains or other dried foods are stored (Schröder 2008). The Red Flour Beetle ”facilitates genetic analysis with ease of culture, a short life cycle, high fecundity and facility for genetic crosses, allowing efficient genetic screens (Schröder 2008).” This can allow for them to have a strong genetic code the longer that they are bred in the lab. So, for this experiment we will be trying to see what affect inbreeding has on the aggregation behavior in the Red Flour Beetle. The purpose of this experiment is to see how genetic background influences grouping behavior. Two different strains of Tribolium castaneum were used in this experiment. The one strain used was the Hudson Red Flour Beetle which originates from Hudson, Kansas. They have been bred in the lab for 10 years. The other beetle that was used is the NDG Red Flour Beetle, which originates from Manitoba, Canada and has been in the lab 30 years. After completing this experiment, our findings are that the Hudson are considerably more light sensitive than the Hudson and as soon as light hit them they become very active. There was a noticeably higher percentage of NDG beetles that would cluster together and when they clustered they only clustered with their own strain. This leads us to believe that the NDG beetles have stronger aggregation behavior due to the significant amount of time they have been in lab breeding, compared to the Hudson beetle. The inbreeding that occurred might of allowed for the beetles to develop a more similar genetic code that allows them to group together more easily

Genetic Effects on Aggregation Behavior of Beetles

Aggregations of insects can often cause problems because they consume large amounts of resources. Species like the Red Flour Beetle are particularly damaging because they can invade locations where humans store food (Lles 2018). Interestingly, different genetic strains of the Red Flour Beetle produce different amounts of aggregation pheromone (Gerken, Scully, Campbell 2018). Here, we tested if two different genetic strains of Red Flour Beetle formed aggregates based on their genetic background or their recent living environments. We found that beetles aggregated based on genetic factors, with environmental conditions being relatively weak. These data suggest that understanding the genetic background of pest insects can shed light on their behavior

Genetics and Light Affect Grouping Behavior in Red Flour Beetles

Although others may see beetles as pests, entomologists would say otherwise. These critters vary in sizes and can be found almost anywhere! Interaction amongst humans and animals within an environment can be pretty similar whether it is environmentally influenced or through genetic material. We often question if habits are done because of genes or because of what is going on around us. Although beetles do not seem interesting, they actually have their own way of socializing. Beetles do not really have the best vison, however they can socialize/communicate using pheromones. Chemical messages are chemicals integrated with behavior (Birch, 1976). Using red flour beetles from Mantitoba, Canada (NDG) and Hudson, Kansas (Hudson) we can see how these beetles from two different areas interact amongst each other. Will there be a distinct isolation due to there strains and if so does this affect how they are within the same strain

Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Aggregation of Beetles

The red flour beetle, or Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a worldwide pest of stored products, particularlyfeed grains (Baldwin and Faluso 2006). It's tiny body and agile legs allow this beetle to get into tiny niches and contaminate large amounts of stored grains. This beetle cannot feed on intact grains, however thrives on high moisture, cracked or hulled grain which can be a problem in facilities where grain is processed (Gerkin et al 2018). This attraction can lead to an offensive odor, mold growth, and can bring out a grey tint in the grain. It is unknown whether the red flour beetle aggregates based on their environmentordue to familiar, genetic pheromones in the air (Johnson). Therefore, the purpose of this research is to place two strains of red flour beetle together and observe theiraggregation preferences. The question is will the beetles solely aggregate with their genetic members, or will they associate with the unfamiliar strain. I believe that the beetles will aggregate in response to genetic cues in their environment. The results of this research are necessary to establishing a better way to manage thisfood storage pest. If the beetles are attracted to genetic pheromones within their environment, then progress can be made to control the pheromone. In turn, this research can help indicate a modified way of controling these beetles

Grouping of Red Flour Beetles using two Different Strains

In this research project I studied how the Red Flour Beetle grouped over a 10 day time period with two different strains of the Beetle. One strain was the Canadian Red Flour Beetle and the other was the Manhattan, KS Red Flour Beetle. The grouping of the beetles is a behavior that is being tested in this experiment and can be greatly effected by both environment and genetics (Breed & Sanchez, 2010). Thus for this experiment I ask if different strains of the Red Flour Beetle aggregate differently and hypothesize that they will end up aggregating differently. After testing this question and hypothesis I found that The different strains do aggregate differently and this could be due to the different climates at which they are normally found. The Canadian lives in an overall lower temperature year round unlike the Kansas beetle (Baldwin & Fasulo, 2014). With this knowledge grain facilities will be able to better prevent infestations of this particular beetle (Gerken, Scully, &Campbell, 2018)

Testing Alternative Models To Estimate Population Size

Estimating population occurs in many fields of study and professions. In order to accurately receive the closest estimate, it is important to know what model is the most accurate to use. After using the removal sampling method to test population size of the red flour beetle, we thought that a simple model can be used to estimate the population of beetles in a jar and that the best model would be the Moran-Zippin Model. “The principle of removal sampling is based upon the fact that a known number of animals are removed from a habitat with each sample, thus affecting subsequent catches” (Ballard). After conducting this research, we discovered that the Modified Moran-Zippin Model gave the most accurate estimate and had the lowest error rate compared to the regression and normal Moran-Zippin model. The results are important because the chosen model can be used to estimate population sizes for endangered animals and pest control

The Amazing Aggregation Skills of the Red Flour Beetle

The Red Flour Beetle is a major pest of grain processing plants. They are commonly found in temperate areas, such as the southern parts of the United States. The beetles are usually reddish brown, with adults ranging about 1/8 of an inch in size. It's very common to find large numbers of Red Flour Beetles clumped together within infested grain (Baldwin and Fasulo, 2003). This dense clumping has caused speculation on whether this strange aggregation behavior is due to environmental factors or related to shared genetic traits. Scientists can look at the influence of genes on behavior by using a mathematical formula called a heritability estimate. Heritability estimates give information about how much of an impact genes have on a behavior in a certain environment (Khan Academy, 2018). Instinctive behavior is also connected to the genetic information, when best determines behavior when a species' environment varies little from generation to generation (Breed and Sanchez, 2010). This instinctive behavior theory correlated with the hypotheses, if you place Red Flour beetles with different genetic strains into an environment together then the Red Flour Beetles with similar genetic strains will aggregate together. While conducted the research which included placing different Beetles with different genetic strains into the same environment, and recording the data, the result supported the hypothesis and helped further prove the instinctive behavior that organisms possess when it comes to their genetic information. When using the graphs theory to analyze the data, the results showed that in the first day of observation, the largest percentage of interactions per group was for neither the genetic traits nor the environmental traits. However, when observing the second day the largest percentage of interactions per group was the genetic traits, helping to support the question of the different effects genetic and environmental traits have on the aggregation of Red Flour Beetles. The results seem to support the fact that genetic information is a major key in helping to create interactions between organisms of the same genetic strain, as well as bringing these interactions back to equilibrium when the population is shuffled. These finding are huge for the Animal Sciences and Industry field, by helping to prove that instincts and behavior coexist and are more significant than just an environmental change, when it comes to organisms. This research also helps to pinpoint different aggregation habits