Tooth-necked fungus beetle: Difference between revisions

Beetles historically have been a very hardy species. They populate almost all environments and climates, and the tooth-necked fungus beetles are no exception. Members of family Derodontiae range from Japan to Oregon to Taiwan to Alaska, inhabiting a large portion of the world. <ref>Jiří Háva. [http://www.dermestidae.wz.cz/catalogue_derodontidae_2010.pdf]. ''World Catalogue of the Family Derodonytidae (Coleoptera)'' Web. Published: 2010.</ref> They prefer a temperate clime, however, and one that has abundant amounts of fungi. Also, despite their wide range of population, this beetle is rather rare and uncommonly discovered. All tooth-necked fungus beetles, with the exception of the species [[Laricobius]], feed either on fungi directly or on the results of the fungal metabolism. [[Peltastica]] seem to eat the result of fungal fermentation while [[Derodontus]] eat the actual body of the fungus [[Basidiomycetes]]. So as the method and style of feeding may vary, all members of derodontidae rely greatly on fungus for food. <ref>D.E. Bright [http://www.canacoll.org/Coleo/Checklist/PDF%20files/DERODONTIDAE.pdf]. ''FAMILY DERODONTIDAE (tooth necked fungus beetles)'' Web. Accessed at: November 21, 2011.</ref> However, as I mentioned earlier, the species Laricobius does not feed on fungus, making it a very beneficial anomaly within Derodontidae. The reason why is because Laricobius feeds on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and the woolly aphid, two very harmful insects that ravage the vegetation of the U.S. and Canada.

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an invasive pest within the eastern United States. Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake, both proud members of the family Derodontidae, are being tested to see whether they will prove to be an effective control agent of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. <ref>G M G Zilahi-Balogh, L M Humble, L T Kok, S M Salom. [http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/AN10136]. ''A New Species of Laricobius (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) from Japan with Phylogeny and a Key for Native and Introduced Congeners in North America'' Web. September 8, 2010.</ref> Laricobius nigrinus Fender, a species native to western North America, have been introduced into the Eastern United States already in 2003 to help control this creature <ref>G M G Zilahi-Balogh, L M Humble, L T Kok, S M Salom. [http://www.mendeley.com/research/morphology-laricobius-nigrinus-coleoptera-derodontidae-predator-hemlock-woolly-adelgid/]. ''Morphology of Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera : Derodontidae), a predator of the hemlock woolly adelgid'' Web. 2006</ref> They are an effective biological controller over the woolly adelgid. Members of Derodontidae ( L. erichsonii) have already been introduced into Canada in the 1950's to control the woolly aphid. <ref>D.E. Bright [http://www.canacoll.org/Coleo/Checklist/PDF%20files/DERODONTIDAE.pdf]. ''FAMILY DERODONTIDAE (tooth necked fungus beetles)'' Web. Accessed at: November 21, 2011.</ref> There is rigorous testing of the beetles to make sure they will not end up harming the environent rather than helping it, like in the disastrous case of the cane toad. These tests include: no choice and paired choice feeding, oviposition (Oviposition is the process of laying eggs by oviparous animals.) <ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=oviposition&ia=luna]. ''Oviposition. (n.d.).'' accessed at:  November 3, 2011. Author unknown</ref> and develpment tests with the invasive species, three other adelgids, and three nonadelgids. <ref> L. C. Vieira,1 T. J. Mcavoy, J. Chantos, A. B. Lamb, S. M. Salom, and L. T. Ko'. [http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/EN10193]. ''Host Range of Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), A New Biological Control'' Web. July 30, 2010.</ref>