Progress 01/01/02 to 09/30/05
Outputs
A termination report is being submitted at this time because of my impending retirement at the end of March 2005. However, I will be continuing to work on the project as an emeritus. The most significant results of this project was as follows: (1) To complete a phylogenetic analysis of the majority of world genera of Meloidae based primarily on larval characteristics. This modified the family classification considerably and brought a better understanding of the evolution of phoretic behavior in the family. (2) Synopses and keys for the New and Old World genera of Meloidae. These works were aimed at facilitating identification to genus and summarizing all important literature and generic characteristics. Work is still underway on the Australasian genera which will complete the review of all the world's genera of Meloidae. Other accomplishments have included descriptive analyses of larvae of several genera, especially those with phoretic behavior. A study of EPISPASTA
larvae was completed this year and is now in press. Work also has continued on the revision of the North American nemognathine genus GNATHIUM - the last group that still requires thorough revisionary work. I have completed accumulating material for this study which will include a re-evaluation of several other genera of the subfamily Nemognathinae. An attempt is being made to reconcile generic definitions used in the Old vs. New worlds.
Impacts
Blister beetles (Meloidae) are both beneficial and pestiferous. Adults are phytophagous and can do severe crop damage especially to small plantings. They are among the most severe pests in certain parts of the world such as Africa where populations depend on backyard acreages for their food supply. Because of the poisonous nature of these beetles, they periodically are inadvertently eaten by livestock and horses (sometimes also by humans) causing severe illness or death. For example, there has been recent concern in southern California over the occurrence of the genus TEGRODERA found in alfalfa fed to dairy cattle. The larval stage of certain taxa, on the other hand, are parasitoids of grasshoppers and consequently provide a degree of natural control on these pestiferous insects. Because Meloidae can be quite common and often interface with agriculture and man, their identification is of importance. The recent publications of generic keys and synopses will help
non-specialists identify meloids without the aid of research collections or taxonomists. As the number of specialists in this group has dwindled, it has become increasingly difficult for agriculturalists and veterinarians to get specimens identified.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
One of the goals of studies on the Meloidae has been the production of workable keys to the genera of the world. As the number of specialists on this family of beetles has dwindled over the past several decades, the ability of the non-specialist to identify these beetles has become more important. Thus far we have completed keys to the genera of all areas of the world (including the United States - see Publications below) except Australia. Efforts this past year have focused on the Australian fauna. This has involved visit to museums in Australia and Europe to examine collections. The meloid collection in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. was also studied early last year. It has been found that certain groups thought to be unique to Australia appear to have relatives in other parts of the world. This will require more basic taxonomic work before the key to the Australian fauna can be completed. All Australian genera belong to the Nemognathinae,
a very poorly known subfamily. Studies underway will attempt to relate the Australian fauna better to elements occurring elsewhere. Once the Australian studies are complete, all of the 120 genera in this moderate-sized family of Coleoptera will have been surveyed. The larval stages of Meloidae are also frequently collected. Perhaps most common in North America is the genus Meloe, a group associated with bees, and with several potentially endangered species. A study completed this year was description of the larvae of Meloe (Mesomeloe), and a key to the numerous subgenera of this widespread genus. The UC Riverside collection of Meloidae is the most extensive collection of its kind especially for New World groups. The holdings are on line and continue to be added to. Identification of Meloidae for outside personnel is a service that our laboratory has continued to provide this past year.
Impacts
Blister beetles (Meloidae) can be considered as both beneficial and pestiferous. Adults are phytophagous and can do severe crop damage especially to small plantings. They are among the most severe pests in certain parts of the world such as Africa where populations depend on backyard acreages for their food supply. Because of the poisonous nature of these beetles, they periodically are inadvertently eaten by livestock and horses (sometimes also by humans) causing severe illness or death. For example, there has been recent concern in southern California over the occurrence of the genus TEGRODERA found in alfalfa fed to dairy cattle. The larval stage of certain taxa, on the other hand, are parasitoids of grasshoppers and consequently provide a degree of natural control on these pestiferous insects. Because Meloidae can be quite common and often interface with agriculture and man, their identification is of importance. The recent publications of generic keys and synopses
should help non-specialists identify meloids without the aid of research collections or taxonomists. As the number of specialists in this group has dwindled, it has become increasingly difficult for agriculturalists and veterinarians to get specimens identified. Our laboratory has continued to identify blister beetles whenever requests are made by interested parties.
Publications
- Pinto, J. D. and M. A. Bologna. 2002. Meloidae Gyllenhal 1810. In: American Beetles, Vol. II (R. H. Arnett and M. C. Thomas eds.). CRC Press. 8 pp.
- DiGiulio, A., M. A. Bologna, and J. D. Pinto. 2002. Larval morphology of the Meloe subgenus Mesomeloe: inferences on its phylogenetic position and a first instar larval key to the Meloe subgenera (Coleoptera : Meloidae). Italian J. Zoology 69: 339-344.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The second part of the project on the Meloidae genera of the world was published this year in the Journal of Natural History. This work treats the 77 genera occurring in the Old World, the area of greatest meloid diversity. Treatment of the New World genera was completed in 1999. Work on the Australasian taxa is on-going and once it is complete, all of the 120 genera in this moderate-sized family of Coleoptera will have been surveyed. More basic taxonomic work is continuing on various genera. Most of this work concerns representatives of the subfamily Nemognathinae. This subfamily is common throughout the world and the relationship of New World with Old World and Australasian taxa is unclear. A study of the genus Stenodera was completed this year. As the most primitive member of the subfamily an understanding of its characteristics is critical to the work. The discovery of the larva of the endemic Australian genus Palaestra also was made this year. The Australian
meloids consists solely of nemognathines and because of the long-termed isolation of that relatively primitive fauna, its study becomes important in any attempt to classify the subfamily at the genus level. Work also continues on the North American nemognathine genus Gnathium, the last genus on the continent that has not been recently revised at the species level. Gnathium is common on our deserts; yet the species cannot be adequately identified. The UC Riverside collection of Meloidae is the most extensive collection of its kind especially for New World groups. The holdings are on line and continue to be added to. Identification of Meloidae for outside personnel is a service that our laboratory has continued to provide this past year.
Impacts
Blister beetles (Meloidae) can be considered as both beneficial and pestiferous. Adults are phytophagous and can do severe crop damage especially to small plantings. They are among the most severe pests in certain parts of the world such as Africa where populations depend on backyard acreages for their food supply. Because of the poisonous nature of these beetles, they periodically are inadvertently eaten by livestock and horses (sometimes also by humans) causing severe illness or death. The larval stage of certain taxa, on the other hand, are parasitoids of grasshoppers and consequently provide a degree of natural control on these pestiferous insects. Because Meloidae can be quite common and often interface with agriculture and man, their identification is of importance. The recent publications of generic keys and synopses should help non-specialists identify meloids without the aid of research collections or taxonomists. As the number of specialists in this group
has dwindled, it has become increasingly difficult for agriculturalists and veterinarians to get specimens identified.
Publications
- Bologna, M. A., A. DiGiulio, and J. D. Pinto. 2002. Review of the genus Stenodera with a description of the first instar larva of S. puncticollis (Coleoptera: Meloidae). Eur. J. Entomol., 99 : 299-313.
- Bologna, M. A., and J. D. Pinto. 2002. The Old World Genera of Meloidae (Coleoptera): A Key and Synopsis. J. Nat. Hist., 36: 2013-2102.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The protracted project on the genera of Meloidae of the world continues. This year saw the submission and acceptance by the Journal of Natural History of the manuscript including keys and synopses of the Old World genera. The study of the New World genera was published in this journal in 1999. The Australasian genera, currently being worked on, will complete the triology. In addition to these broad faunal treatments generic reviews of Stenodera and Iselma were completed; a study of Mesomeloe is in its early stages. The study of Iselma has been published; the Stenodera manuscript has been accepted for publication. A modest amount of work was completed on the North American genus Gnathium, the only genus in the Nearctic that has not been revised in the last 50 yrs. The holdings of the UC Riverside collection of Meloidae has been put on line entmuseum9.ucr.edu/entmus/list/meloids2.html) . Interactions with other coleopterists and collecting continue to add to this
collection. Several idenfications of blister beetles for museums and other Coleoptera specialists have been made. Also, information on blister beetle biology as it may relate to live stock poisonings in California and elsewhere was conveyed to interested parties.
Impacts
Blister beetles (Meloidae) are of modest and sporadic significance to agricultural crops in North America. Their impact on agriculture in other areas characterized by small family farms (e.g. Africa) is greater and often critical. Also, meloids are of concern to domestic livestock producers. Adults are often ingested accidentally with feed by horses and, more recently, milk cows. Because of the presence of the poison cantharidin in their hemolymph these beetles may cause illness and death. This year saw what was perhaps the first major kill of milk cows in California by Meloidae, after they fed on contaminated hay. Studies related to this project facilitate identification by non-specialists and help convey information on biological characteristics of these beetles. Also, identifications are provided at Riverside if requested.
Publications
- Pinto, J. D. 2001. Two New Species of Zonitis F. (Coleoptera: Meloidae) from Southwestern North America, with Comments on Generic Definitions in the Nemognathinae. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 103: 319-324.
- Bologna, M. A. and J. D. Pinto. 2001. Phylogenetic Studies of Meloidae (Coleoptera), with Emphasis on the Evolution of Phoresy. Syst. Ent. 26: 33-72.
- Bologna, M. A., S. Fattorini, and J. D. Pinto. 2001. Review of the Primitive Blister Beetle Genus Iselma with Description of the First Instar Larva (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea). African Ent. 9: 105-129.
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Progress 01/02/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
One long term project was completed this year. This was a continuation of the series 'generic keys and synopses' of the world genera of Meloidae. The first part was published in 1999. The second part dealing with the Old World genera has been submitted for publication. The phylogenetic study which examined the evolution of phoresy in the Meloidae, a project which began in 1988, was published in the January, 2001 issue of Systematic Entomology. Other accomplishments for the year was a description of two new species of Zonitis from southern Arizona. This paper will appear in April of this year. Work continued on the genus Gnathium, the last major North American genus of the family Meloidae requiring revision. A study on the genus Iselma also was completed and submitted for publication.
Impacts
The family Meloidae is of periodic significance to agricultural crops and domestic livestock. The adults feed on various crops where they are responsible for localized damage. Adults are frequently ingested accidentally by horses. Because of the presence of the poison cantharidin in their hemolymph these beetles can cause illness and death in these animals. Meloids are also an important component of various habitats, especially those in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Certain species, including several Lytta in California, have been considered endangered by conservation agencies. Studies associated with this project facilitate identification by non-specialists. Recent phylogenetic studies clarify higher classificiation issues in the family, and hypothesize the multiple origin of phoresy in the Meloinae. Previous workers have assumed the unique evolution of phoresy in the subfamily
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Work on this project focuses on the systematics of the Meloidae, or blister beetles, a moderate sized group of Coleoptera of some agricultural and veterinary importance. The larvae of some genera are also important grasshopper parasitoids. This family is an important component of Mediterranean habitats such as that characterizing much of California, and certain species in these areas are considered endangered. Studies accomplished in the last year include the publication of a key to the genera of the New World in the Journal of Natural History. Also a phylogenetic study of the family was prepared, submitted to Systematic Entomology, and is now in press. Work on a key to the Old World genera of Meloidae is currently in its final stages of preparation. Because of dwindling taxonomic expertise in this family it is important that generic keys be available to the non-specialist requiring identification for applied problems or biodiversity studies. A key to the United
States genera also was submitted to the American Beetles Project which is revising "The beetles of the United States", published in 1963 by Ross Arnett. This book has been the standard for the identification of Coleoptera for 40 years but is now considerably out of date.
Impacts
The Meloidae (blister beetles) are of importance in biodiversity studies. Certain species and are implicated as agricultural or veterinary pests. Studies are responding to the paucity of taxonomic expertise and will facilitate identifications by the non-specialist.
Publications
- Pinto, J. D. and Bologna, M. A. 1999. The New World genera of Meloidae (Coleoptera): a key and synopsis. Journal of Natural History, 33: 569-620.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/01/98
Outputs
Research on this project concerns identification and systematic relationships in the Meloidae, a moderate sized group of Coleoptera referred to as blister beetles. The family is of variable importance as agricultural and veterinary pests depending on geographic location. The larvae of some genera are important grasshopper parasitoids. Also, certain species in California are now considered rare and endangered. A recently discovered species of MELOE in California chaparral may also fall into this category. A small NSF grant secured from the National Science Foundation has supported work on family phylogeny and annotated keys to the genera of the world. This work is being done in collaboration with Professor Marco Bologna of the University of Rome, Italy. Comprehensive keys for identification to genus have never been available for this family. Means of identification are particularly important now that the number of meloid specialists in the world has dwindled. We
completed the key to the New World genera and it will be published early this year. Travel in summer 1998 to the Hungarian Museum of Natural History, home of the world's most extensive collection of Meloidae, is preparatory to completion of the key to Old World genera. A long termed project on the phylogeny of the Meloidae stressing larval characters was completed this year and a manuscript is now being prepared.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BOLOGNA, M. A. and J. D. PINTO. 1998. A review of the Afrotropical species of MELOE Linnaeus 1758 (Coleoptera Meloidae) with descriptions of first instar larvae, a key to species and an
- PINTO, J. D. 1998. A new MELOE Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Meloidae, Meloinae) from southern California chaparral: a rare and endangered blister beetle or simply secretive. The Coleop. Bull. 52: 378-385.
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