Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new species of jewel beetle (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Agrilus) triggers the production of the Brazilian red propolis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Science of Nature Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Red propolis is a substance produced by bees by mixing resins from plants with wax, oils, and other secretions to protect the hive against natural enemies. Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. (Fabaceae) is the primary botanical source of the Brazilian red propolis, where bees Apis mellifera L. collect a reddish resin from the stems to produce propolis. This species occurs in coastal dune and mangrove ecosystems, where local beekeepers install their beehives for propolis production. The induction of propolis production was virtually unknown. Previous reports and field evidence suggested that the reddish resin available in D. ecastaphyllum stems was not produced spontaneously but induced by the presence of a parasitic insect that feeds on the plant’s stems. Research in the apiaries of the beekeepers’ association of Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil, led to the capture of a jewel beetle of an unknown species of the genus Agrilus Curtis (Buprestidae). It was confirmed that this jewel beetle is a red propolis production inductor. The adult and immature of this new species, Agrilus propolis Migliore, Curletti, and Casari sp. nov. are here described and illustrated. Behavioral information on the biology and chemical ecology confirms that the reddish resin of D. ecastaphyllum is directly related to the beetle attack and only occurs when Agrilus propolis sp. nov. adults emerge from the plant stem. This information is very important for Brazilian propolis producers interested in expanding red propolis production, which can have favorable effects on the economy of mangrove communities, promoting income generation, creating new business opportunities, and helping to sustain local communities and families.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figs. 1–3
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Figs. 6–7.
Figs. 8–23.
Figs. 24–25.
Fig. 26–27.
Fig. 28–33.
Figs. 34–35.

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data and materials are included in the manuscript.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Arru GM (1962) Agrilus suvorovi populneus Schaefer (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) dannoso ai Pioppi nell´Italia settentrionale. Boll Zool Agr Bachicoltura 4:159–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Bankova V, Popova M, Trusheva B (2018) The phytochemistry of the honeybee. Phytochemistry 155:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2018.07.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berretta AA, Arruda C, Miguel FG, Baptista N, Nascimento AP, Marquele-Oliveira F, Hori JI, da Barud HS, Damaso B, Ramos C, Ferreira R, Bastos JK (2017) Functional properties of Brazilian propolis: from chemical composition until the market. In: Waisundara V, Shiomi N (eds) Superfood and functional food: an overview of their processing and utilization. Intech Open, London, pp 55–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilý S (1999) Larvae of buprestid beetle of Central Europe (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Acta Entomol Mus Nat Pragae, Supp 10:1–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Böving AG, Craighead FC (1953) An illustrated synopsis of the principal larval forms of the order Coleoptera. Ent Am (NS) 11:1–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Briese DT (1997) Biological control of St. John's wort: past, present and future. Plant Prot Q 12:73–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Ccana-Ccapatinta GV, Mejía JAA, Tanimoto MH, Groppo M, de Carvalho JCAS, Bastos JK (2020) Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. and Symphonia globulifera L.f.: the botanical sources of isoflavonoids and benzophenones in Brazilian red propolis. Molecules 25:2060

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chamorro ML, Volkovitsh MG, Poland TM, Haack RA, Lingafelter SW (2012) Preimaginal stages of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): an invasive pest on ash trees (Fraxinus). PLoS ONE 7:e33185. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092060

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Crook DJ, Mastro VC (2010) Chemical ecology of the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis. J Chem Ecol 36:101–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9738-x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Curletti G (1994) I Buprestidi d’Italia. Catalogo tassonomico, sinonimico, biologico, geonemico. Nat brescia 19:1–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Curletti G (2020) Nuevas adiciones al conocimiento taxonómico del género Agrilus Curtis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilinae) de la Región Neotropical. Rev Chilena de Ent 46:243–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Curletti G, Brûlé S (2011) Agrilus, Agriloides et Autarcontes de Guyane. Magellanes, Andrésy

  • Curletti G, Migliore L (2014) O gênero Agrilus Curtis, 1829 nas coleções do Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Pap Avulsos Zool 54:81–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daugsch A, Moraes CS, Fort P, Park YK (2008) Brazilian red propolis - chemical composition and botanical origin. J Evid Based Complement Altern Med 5:435–441. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Carvalho AM (1997) A synopsis of the genus Dalbergia (Fabaceae: Dalbergieae) in Brazil. Brittonia 49:87–109. https://doi.org/10.2307/2807701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Magalhães EO, Carvalho JCAS, Borges IL, Almeida CP (2011) Própolis: estudo da origem do exsudado resinoso vermelho no caule de Dalbergia ecastophyllum. Mensagem Doce 110:23–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Duke J (2009) Duke’s Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Jendek E, Poláková J (2014) Host plants of world Agrilus (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). A critical review. Springer, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08410-7

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jendek E, Grebennikov VV, Bocak LV (2015) Undetected for a century: Palaearctic Agrilus ribesi Schaefer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) on currant in North America, with adult morphology, larval biology and DNA barcode. Zootaxa 4034:112–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil SAA, Atta HAE, Aref LM (2011) Increased gum Arabic production after infestation of Acacia senegal with Aspergillus flavus and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes transmitted by Agrilus nubeculosus. Afr J Biotechnol 10:7166–7173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumazawa S, Yoneda M, Shibata I, Kanaeda J, Hamasaka T, Nakayama T (2003) Direct evidence for the plant origin of Brazilian propolis by the observation of honeybee behavior and phytochemical analysis. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 51:740–742. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.51.740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence JF (1991) Buprestidae (Buprestoidea) (including Schizopodidae). In: Stehr FW (ed) Immature Insects, Kendall, vol 2. Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, pp 386–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Mata VP (2014) Ocorrência natural e aspectos de interesse agronômico de Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (l.) Taubert (Fabaceae) no estado da Bahia: base para a produção da própolis vermelha. Dissertation, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia

  • Molino-Olmedo F (1998) Descripción de la larva de Agrilus augustus (Illiger, 1803) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Zool Baetica 9:29–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Muirhead JR, Leung B, van Overdijk C, Kelly DW, Nandakumar K, Marchant KR, MacIsaac HJ (2006) Modelling local and long-distance dispersal of invasive emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera) in North America. Divers Distrib 12:71–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson A (1951) Larvae of insects. An Introduction to Nearctic species. Part II. Coleoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Trichoptera. A. Peterson, Columbus

  • Petrice TR, Haack RA (2014) Biology of the European oak borer in Michigan, United States of America, with comparisons to the native twolined chestnut bore. Can Entomol 146:36–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrice TR, Haack RA, Strazanac JS, Lelito JP (2009) Biology and larval morphology of Agrilus subcinctus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with comparisons to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. Great Lakes Entomol 42:173–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Prokhorov AV, Vasilyeva JS (2017) Description of the larva of Agrilus antiquus croaticus (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). Vestnik zoologii 51:3–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piccinelli AL, Lotti C, Campone L, Cuesta-Rubio O, Campo Fernandez M, Rastrelli L (2011) Cuban and Brazilian red propolis: botanical origin and comparative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography à photodiode array detection/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. J Agric Food Chem 59:6484–6491. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf201280z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salatino A, Salatino MLF (2018) Brazilian red propolis: legitimate name of the plant resin source. MOJ Food Process Technol 6:21–22. https://doi.org/10.15406/mojfpt.2018.06.00139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva BB, Rosalen PL, Cury JA, Ikegaki M, Souza VC, Esteves A, Alencar SM (2008) Chemical composition and botanical origin of red propolis, a new type of Brazilian propolis. Evid Based Complement Altern Med 5:313–316. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sydnor TD, Bumgardner M, Todd A (2007) The potential economic impacts of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) on Ohio, US, communities. Arboric Urban For 33:48–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira ÉW, Negri G, Meira RMSA, Message D, Salatino A (2005) Plant origin of green propolis: bee behavior, plant anatomy and chemistry. J Evid Based Complement Altern Med 2:85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volkovitsh MG, Hawkeswood JJ (1990) The larva of Agrilus australasiae Laporte and Gory and Ethon affine Laporte and Gory (Insecta, Coleoptera, Buprestidae). Spixiana 13:43–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkovitsh MG, Orlova-Bienkowskaja MJ, Kovalev AV, Bieńkowski AO (2020) An illustrated guide to distinguish emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) from its congeners in Europe. Forestry 93:316–325. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpz024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XY, Yang ZQ, Gould JR, Zhang YN, Liu GJ, Liu ES (2010) The biology and ecology of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, in China. J Insect Sci 10:128. https://doi.org/10.1673/031.010.12801

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wei SJ, Zheng HH, Huangfu WG, Shi ZH, Chen XX (2007) Morphological observation on the immature stages of Agrilus auriventris Saunders (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Acta Entomol Sin 50:79–84

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

To Prof. Dr. Milton Groppo (FFCLRP-USP) for the identification of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. Thanks to the two anonymous reviewers for comments and suggestions on the manuscript, and to Alaina Eckert for proofreading.

Funding

This research was funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grants #2017/04138-8, #2017/26252-7 and #2018/13700-4 to JKB, GVCC, and JJAM), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES 88882.378128/2019-01 to LJM), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and University of São Paulo Support Foundation (FUSP 3587 - ITV/MZ to GB).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481 - Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP, 04263-000, Brazil

    Letizia J. Migliore, Sonia A. Casari & Gabriel Biffi

  2. Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Av. do Café s/n, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-903, Brazil

    Gari V. Ccana-Ccapatinta, Jennyfer A. A. Mejía & Jairo K. Bastos

  3. Museo civico di Storia Naturale, Parco Cascina Vigna, 10022, Carmagnola, Italia

    Gianfranco Curletti

  4. Cooperativa de Apicultores de Canavieiras (COAPER), Av. Burundanga 1900, Canavieiras, Bahia, 45860-000, Brazil

    Jean C. A. S. Carvalho

Authors
  1. Letizia J. Migliore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gari V. Ccana-Ccapatinta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gianfranco Curletti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sonia A. Casari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gabriel Biffi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jennyfer A. A. Mejía
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jean C. A. S. Carvalho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jairo K. Bastos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Letizia J. Migliore or Gari V. Ccana-Ccapatinta.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Communicated by: Tatiana Cornelissen

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Migliore, L.J., Ccana-Ccapatinta, G.V., Curletti, G. et al. A new species of jewel beetle (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Agrilus) triggers the production of the Brazilian red propolis. Sci Nat 109, 18 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-022-01785-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-022-01785-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation