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Tooth-necked fungus beetle: Difference between revisions
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Derodontidae, a family of beetles, is one of the least known members of [[Coleoptera]]. Members of this family, as implied by their common name, eat fungi and their byproducts; they are completely dependent on the spore producing organisms. These creatures, though they make their home all over the world, are relatively rare, though a beetle enthusiast may relish the challenge to capture one. These animals are small, but have large appetites, and can become huge pest for farmers of fungi. Though little research has been performed on the processes and intricacies of derodontidae, several of its members, specifically species ''Laricobius'' are extremely important biological control agents, employed on the eastern coasts of the U.S and Canada to control several large pests. They have a very large untapped potential, the members of this family are just waiting for someone to discover all the abilities God has designed them for. | Derodontidae, a family of beetles, is one of the least known members of [[Coleoptera]]. Members of this family, as implied by their common name, eat fungi and their byproducts; they are completely dependent on the spore producing organisms. These creatures, though they make their home all over the world, are relatively rare, though a beetle enthusiast may relish the challenge to capture one. These animals are small, but have large appetites, and can become huge pest for farmers of fungi. Though little research has been performed on the processes and intricacies of derodontidae, several of its members, specifically species ''Laricobius'' are extremely important biological control agents, employed on the eastern coasts of the U.S and Canada to control several large pests. They have a very large untapped potential, the members of this family are just waiting for someone to discover all the abilities God has designed them for. | ||
== Body Design == | == Body Design == | ||
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[[File:1276019.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''[[Laricobius Nigrinus]]'' larvae]] | [[File:1276019.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''[[Laricobius Nigrinus]]'' larvae]] | ||
The tooth-necked fungus beetle, like every other beetle, goes through four stages of development, known as complete [[metamorphosis]]. The mother will lay a large amount of bright yellow eggs in a hidden area, but the mother does not protect her young. As the beetle matures, it will eventually hatch from its egg, but it is not yet in a form recognizable to most people. The newly born tooth-necked fungus beetle will be in its [[larval stage]]. The tooth-necked fungus beetles' larvae resembles the lady bugs' though the tooth-necked fungus beetles' is bright yellow <ref>G.M.G Zilahi-Balog, L.M. Humble, L.T. Kok, and S.M. Salom.[http://web.ento.vt.edu/ento/people/814879/l_nigrinus.morph_can.ent_06.pdf]. ''Life Stages of Laricobius nigrinus''. Web. November 14, 2005.</ref> The larvae will continue to grow as it eats, shedding its exoskeleton several times as it grows. When the beetle reaches a preordained period, usually defined by food or season, the larvae will enter a pupal period, in which the larvae will undergo radical changes in its body. The pupae for the tooth-necked fungus beetle is also bright yellow, but darkens as it matures. <ref>G.M.G Zilahi-Balog, L.M. Humble, L.T. Kok, and S.M. Salom.[http://web.ento.vt.edu/ento/people/814879/l_nigrinus.morph_can.ent_06.pdf]. ''Life Stages of Laricobius nigrinus''. Web. November 14, 2005.</ref>. After a period of about nine months, the beetle will emerge from its pupae, and an adult tooth-necked fungus beetle is born! <ref>[http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/beetles/beetle_lifecycle.html]. ''The life cycle of a Beetle''. Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown.</ref> | The tooth-necked fungus beetle, like every other beetle, goes through four stages of development, known as complete [[metamorphosis]]. The mother will lay a large amount of bright yellow eggs in a hidden area, but the mother does not protect her young. As the beetle matures, it will eventually hatch from its egg, but it is not yet in a form recognizable to most people. The newly born tooth-necked fungus beetle will be in its [[larval stage]]. The tooth-necked fungus beetles' larvae resembles the lady bugs' though the tooth-necked fungus beetles' is bright yellow <ref>G.M.G Zilahi-Balog, L.M. Humble, L.T. Kok, and S.M. Salom.[http://web.ento.vt.edu/ento/people/814879/l_nigrinus.morph_can.ent_06.pdf]. ''Life Stages of Laricobius nigrinus''. Web. November 14, 2005.</ref> The larvae will continue to grow as it eats, shedding its exoskeleton several times as it grows. When the beetle reaches a preordained period, usually defined by food or season, the larvae will enter a pupal period, in which the larvae will undergo radical changes in its body. The pupae for the tooth-necked fungus beetle is also bright yellow, but darkens as it matures. <ref>G.M.G Zilahi-Balog, L.M. Humble, L.T. Kok, and S.M. Salom.[http://web.ento.vt.edu/ento/people/814879/l_nigrinus.morph_can.ent_06.pdf]. ''Life Stages of Laricobius nigrinus''. Web. November 14, 2005.</ref>. After a period of about nine months, the beetle will emerge from its pupae, and an adult tooth-necked fungus beetle is born! <ref>[http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/beetles/beetle_lifecycle.html]. ''The life cycle of a Beetle''. Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown.</ref> | ||
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
[[File:1276022.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''Traps used to catch members of Derodontidae in their habitat.'']] | [[File:1276022.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''Traps used to catch members of Derodontidae in their habitat.'']] | ||
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 | 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 mentioned earlier, the species Laricobius does not feed on fungus, making it a very beneficial anomaly within Derodontidae. The reason being that 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. | ||
== Effects on the Environment == | == Effects on the Environment == | ||
