The developmental parameters of the minute brown scavenger beetle Dienerella argus (Coleoptera: Latridiidae)
2019
Imai, Toshihiro | Miyamoto, Yōko
Adult and larva Dienerella argus (Reitter) (Coleoptera: Latridiidae) feed on fungi and are frequently found in indoor, moldy areas. The basic biology of this species, other than its feeding habits, has not been determined. In this study, the developmental parameters of the beetle were investigated using dried hyphae and conidia from three fungi that are common in living areas. The developmental periods of the beetle on Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium citrinum, and P. decumbens were examined at 15.5 ± 0.1, 19.4 ± 0.6, 23.5 ± 0.4, 27.3 ± 1.0, and 31.7 ± 2.4 °C (mean ± SD) under dark conditions. The lower developmental temperature threshold (T₀ ± SE) and thermal constants (K ± SE) calculated from egg to adult emergence were 9.6 ± 1.15 °C and 545.5 ± 43.3 degree days (DD), 9.1 ± 0.35 °C and 483.1 ± 12.3 DD, and 10.7 ± 0.35 °C and 378.5 ± 9.3 DD on C. cladosporioides, P. citrinum, and P. decumbens, respectively. These developmental parameters indicate that this beetle can breed year-round in indoor areas that are in air-conditioned facilities. Based on the accumulated daily mean temperature above T₀ (=10.7 °C on P. decumbens) in the garret, where the outbreak of D. argus had occurred, the number of generations per year was estimated at approximately eight.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library