Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain
We describe a new and unusual myrmecophilous behaviour displayed by the darkling beetle, Scaurus uncinus (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), accessing nests of the harvester ant, Messor barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in southeast Spain. The beetles enter the interior o...
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
2024-09-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Entomology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-202401-0034_entry-by-brute-force-an-unusual-behaviour-displayed-by-scaurus-uncinus-coleoptera-tenebrionidae-to-access.php |
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| author | Juan A. DELGADO Ricardo L. PALMA |
| author_facet | Juan A. DELGADO Ricardo L. PALMA |
| author_sort | Juan A. DELGADO |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We describe a new and unusual myrmecophilous behaviour displayed by the darkling beetle, Scaurus uncinus (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), accessing nests of the harvester ant, Messor barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in southeast Spain. The beetles enter the interior of the ant nests using a relatively primitive strategy based only on brute force, which we name "brute force entries". To understand the significance of this behaviour, we have studied the interactions of these two species in the field and in the laboratory during six years. Our observations confirm that specimens of S. uncinus expend a considerable effort to enter the ant nests, despite the ants fiercely attacking them, to the extent that the beetles lose legs and antennae through the process. We describe and discuss this behaviour, and identify hypotheses about its development and significance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-04cafd95773d42488a40ce14c7421fca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1210-5759 1802-8829 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Entomology |
| spelling | doaj-art-04cafd95773d42488a40ce14c7421fca2024-12-16T15:30:56ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292024-09-01121132434010.14411/eje.2024.034eje-202401-0034Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in SpainJuan A. DELGADO0Ricardo L. PALMA1Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; e-mail: jdelgado@um.esMuseum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand; e-mail: RicardoP@tepapa.govt.nzWe describe a new and unusual myrmecophilous behaviour displayed by the darkling beetle, Scaurus uncinus (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), accessing nests of the harvester ant, Messor barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in southeast Spain. The beetles enter the interior of the ant nests using a relatively primitive strategy based only on brute force, which we name "brute force entries". To understand the significance of this behaviour, we have studied the interactions of these two species in the field and in the laboratory during six years. Our observations confirm that specimens of S. uncinus expend a considerable effort to enter the ant nests, despite the ants fiercely attacking them, to the extent that the beetles lose legs and antennae through the process. We describe and discuss this behaviour, and identify hypotheses about its development and significance.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-202401-0034_entry-by-brute-force-an-unusual-behaviour-displayed-by-scaurus-uncinus-coleoptera-tenebrionidae-to-access.phpdarkling beetleseed harvester antmyrmecophilyspecies interactionfield observationsdefensive posturesappendage mutilationschemical cues |
| spellingShingle | Juan A. DELGADO Ricardo L. PALMA Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain European Journal of Entomology darkling beetle seed harvester ant myrmecophily species interaction field observations defensive postures appendage mutilations chemical cues |
| title | Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain |
| title_full | Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain |
| title_fullStr | Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain |
| title_short | Entry by brute force: An unusual behaviour displayed by Scaurus uncinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to access nests of Messor barbarus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Spain |
| title_sort | entry by brute force an unusual behaviour displayed by scaurus uncinus coleoptera tenebrionidae to access nests of messor barbarus hymenoptera formicidae in spain |
| topic | darkling beetle seed harvester ant myrmecophily species interaction field observations defensive postures appendage mutilations chemical cues |
| url | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-202401-0034_entry-by-brute-force-an-unusual-behaviour-displayed-by-scaurus-uncinus-coleoptera-tenebrionidae-to-access.php |
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