Tooth-necked fungus beetle: Difference between revisions

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, 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 mall, but have large appetites, and are a huge pest for people farming 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.

[[File:Donacia-transparent.png|thumb|150px|left|''An illustration allowing for clearer observation of the tooth-necked fungus beetle's body structure.'']]

Derodontidae, a family of beetles, part of its own superfamily, [[Derodontoidea]], is commonly called tooth-necked fungus beetles. They are closely related to the [[Bostrichoidea]], of which  the death watch beetles, skin beetles, and powder-post beetles belong to. There are about 10 species in 4 genera in Derodontidae.

Members of Derodontidae are relatively small,, between 2 and 6 mm in length, with spiny margins on their pronotum (part of the thorax) <ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pronotum].'' pronotum. (n.d.).'' . Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown. </ref> of which they are named after. The [[Laricobius]], a genus of Derodontidae, doesn't have these spines. They have two ocelli (a type of simple eye common to invertebrates, consisting of retinal cells, pigments, and nerve fibers.) <ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ocelli].'' ocelli. (n.d.).'' . Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown. </ref> on the top of their heads.<ref>[http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Derodontidae&offset=0]. ''Research Results For 'Derodontidae'''. Web. accessed at: 8 november 2011. November 8,2011. Author unknown.</ref> Their [[maxillae]] (one of the paired appendages immediately behind the mandibles of arthropods) <ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/maxillae]. ''maxillae. (n.d.).''. Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown.</ref> are exposed at the base. Their antennae are inserted before their small, prominent eyes and have large [[elytra]], (hardened forewings of certain insects, as beetles, forming a protective covering for the posterior or flight wings.) <ref> [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/elytra]. ''elytra. (n.d.).''. Web. accessed at: November 8,2011. Author unknown.</ref> which completely cover the [[abdomen]]. The tooth-necked fungus beetle's legs are moderate for its size. The colorings of the members of this family are usually  brown, brick-red, brownish-red, or brownish-yellow. <ref>John Lawrence LeConte. [http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=derodontidae%20body%20features&sig=K5UfzZJRXLER8CcrzD1m-Y38DVw&ei=CPq5Tq5gqP6JAruGrNcE&ct=result&id=hkBDAAAAYAAJ&ots=BzmDLf-k_D&output=text]. ''Classification of the Coleoptera of North America, Parts 1-2''. Web. accessed at: November 8,2011.</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 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 beetle's 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>

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.

[[File:6202026877 98a22a5d92 o.jpg|thumb|150px|right|''The black dots within the protective white nest, the pest known as Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been ravaging the Hemlock of the eastern United States, and, if left unchecked, could eventually eliminate Hemlock from the area.'' ]]

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>