Biological Strategies of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) at Larval Stages in Different Temperatures

Abstract

The intraspecific variation in larval instars is a widely distributed phenomenon amongst holometabolous insects. Several factors can affect the number of instars, such as temperature, humidity, and density. Only a few references could be found in the literature because the invariability in the number of larval instars is considered normal, and the issue has raised little to no interest. Despite this, no study to date has intended to assess or focus on the larval development. Here, we analyzed the effect of different rearing temperature on the larval stage of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The results indicated that at all temperatures, L5 represented a decisive point for individuals as well as the other later larval instars, because the next step to follow was to pupate or molt to the next larval instar. Furthermore, there were mainly two populations, L5 and L6, although in different proportions according to temperature. We also found that at a greater number of instars, the larval development at all temperatures lasted longer. Moreover, the exponential model was the best adjustment in the developmental time of all populations as well as for the accumulated developmental time of L1-L4. Thus, we conclude that random factors such as genetics could probably cause interspecific variability in D. maculatus larval development.

Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) development under fluoxetine effect using two drug administration models

“…This was not a surprise because those results were already observed when D . maculatus development was studied under controlled conditions [28, 32, 53, 54]. Thus, we did not attribute that to fluoxetine.…”

“…Extra larval instars and prolonged development times can be observed when conditions are adverse [30, 31]. Several factors can affect the number of instars in insects: temperature, photoperiod, food quality and quantity, humidity, density, presence of lesions, genetics, among others; and these variables can interact among them [32]. Each insect species has a characteristic threshold size, and a larva must reach it before metamorphosis.…”

“…Each insect species has a characteristic threshold size, and a larva must reach it before metamorphosis. In general, in adverse conditions, additional larval instars would serve as a compensatory response, when a larva fails to reach that size facing a “normal” number of larvae [32].…”

Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: Implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs

“…Dermestid larvae thrive in warm and dry environments, actively avoiding both excessive light and humidity (Charabidze et al 2014). Studies have shown that dermestid larvae survival is highest when temperatures are between 20-30°C and their period of activity is restricted to the warmest months of the year (Amos 1968, Raspi and Antonelli 1996, Zanetti et al 2016a, 2016b, Martín-Vega and Baz 2012, Martín-Vega et al 2017. Thus, their presence can indicate seasonality.…”

Identificación de trayectorias mortuorias a partir de marcas de insectos en restos óseos humanos: el caso de Cerro Lutz (Entre Ríos, Argentina)

“…Esta especie se desarrolla preferentemente en la superficie, pero sus larvas poseen fototropismo negativo (Martin y West, 1995). El desarrollo de D. maculatus abarca de 23 a 107 días y requiere temperaturas entre 15 ºC y 35 ºC (Martin y West, 1995;Richardson y Goff, 2001;Zanetti et al, 2015c); el aumento de la temperatura constituye un factor de aceleración del proceso (Zanetti et al, 2016). La presencia de Dermestidae se ha registrado desde las etapas tempranas de descomposición cadavérica, pero su abundancia ocurre en las etapas avanzadas (Oliva, 2001;Centeno et al, 2002;Zanetti et al, 2015a).…”