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The developmental parameters of the minute brown scavenger beetle Dienerella argus (Coleoptera: Latridiidae)

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Tomoki Sumino of Nippon Calmic Ltd. for providing valuable information on the state of Dienerella species in the food industry. We also thank Mr. Eisuke Taniguchi of the Manufacturing Technology Center, Japan Tobacco Inc. for his helpful support during field investigations.

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  1. Yoko Miyamoto

    Present address: R&D Planning Division, Japan Tobacco Inc., Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8422, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leaf Tobacco Research Center, Japan Tobacco Inc., Oyama, Tochigi, 323-0808, Japan

    Toshihiro Imai & Yoko Miyamoto

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  1. Toshihiro Imai
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  2. Yoko Miyamoto
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Correspondence to Toshihiro Imai.

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Imai, T., Miyamoto, Y. The developmental parameters of the minute brown scavenger beetle Dienerella argus (Coleoptera: Latridiidae). Appl Entomol Zool 54, 75–78 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-018-0594-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-018-0594-4

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