Affiliation:
1. Institute of Entomology Guizhou University Guiyang China
2. The Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Insect Resources Guizhou University Guiyang China
3. The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions Guizhou University Guiyang China
Abstract
AbstractLarvae of the beetle subfamily Rutelinae are poorly described in the literature. Notably, the morphology of the larvae of Callistethus plagiicollis Fairmaire has not previously been analyzed. Here, we report for the first time that these larvae feed on the tubers and roots of Gastrodia elata Blume, an important traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which causes a reduction in the yield and economic value of G. elata. We employed scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to investigate the morphology and occurrence regularity of egg, larvae, pupae, and adult specimens of C. plagiicollis collected from the G. elata planting base in Guizhou Province, China, with a focus on the ultrastructure of mature larvae. The results revealed one generation of C. plagiicollis per year in the study area and three instar stages of larvae. Mature larvae were identified by the following characteristics: raster without palidia with a large number of hamate setae, antennal apex containing seven sensilla basiconica, larval haptomerum containing eight sensilla styloconica and four enlarged heli, and seven longitudinally arranged stridulatory teeth on the stipes of the maxilla. The combination of scanning electron and light microscopy effectively revealed the difference between membranous and sclerotized structures, ensuring accurate identification of C. plagiicollis larvae. By determining the feeding characteristics and occurrence regularity of C. plagiicollis, this study has implications for improved pest management in G. elata crops.Research Highlights
We identified C. plagiicollis as a new pest of G. elata, a traditional Chinese medicine
Scanning electron and light microscopy were combined to analyze the morphology of the mature larvae of C. plagiicollis for the first time
We determined the feeding characteristics and occurrence regularity of C. plagiicollis, which can be used to develop effective pest management strategies
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program of China