Natural History and Ecology of Soldier Beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) in the Mexican Tropical Dry Forests

Abstract

Until today, most information about the natural history and ecology of soldier beetles came from temperate zones, mainly from Holarctic areas, while tropical regions have been poorly studied. The aim of this contribution is to compile and synthesize information concerning the natural history and ecology of Cantharidae (Coleoptera) from the Mexican tropical dry forest (TDF), to serve as a starting point for more in-depth study of the group in one of the Mexico's most endangered ecosystems. All compiled data on the family have been organized into the following topics: distributional patterns and habitat preferences, feeding behavior and host plants, and daily and seasonal activity cycles. For the first time, it was provided a list of host plants for TDF Cantharidae genera and species, and it was also observed a high ecological diversity in the phenology and behavior of TDF Cantharidae assemblages. Further research concerning cantharids and other TDF insects needs to have a more comprehensive and integrated approach toward understanding the patterns of distribution and diversity, and elucidating the role that cantharids play in ecosystems, especially in TDF, which is one of the most endangered ecosystem in the world.

First record of a mass swarming behavior of Chauliognathus vestitus Champion, 1914 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) with comments on other Chauliognathus from Colima, México

“…During the observations, any mating behavior of C. vestitus was observed. However, previous works have documented Chauliognathus copulation usually occurring between 16:00 and 18:00 h, and some days after emergence (Bailey et al 1984;Pérez-Hernández 2018). It is therefore possible that we were not able to observe such behavior because it was too early in the day, or soldier beetles were in their emergence period.…”

“…For the identification of the collected specimens, we used the works of Gorham (1881), Champion (1914 and Miskimen (1966), except for one species which we only had photographs of. We also compiled ecological and distributional data of Chauliognathus species from Colima through published works (Gorham 1881, Champion 1914, Miskimen 1966, Pérez-Hernández and Zaragoza-Caballero 2015, Pérez-Hernández 2018, and from specimens deposited at the National Insect Collection (CNIN) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Specimens collected at El Terrero, Colima will be deposited at the CNIN as well.…”

“…It has been recorded from Colima, Guerrero, Morelos, Oaxaca (Miskimen 1966, Pérez-Hernández andZaragoza-Caballero 2016, erroneously added as Chauliognathus profundus LeConte, 1858), Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosi (CNIN 2018, Naturalista 2020. Its altitudinal range goes from 300 to 2500 m asl, and it can be found from cultivated areas to tropical dry forest and xerophilous scrubs (Miskimen 1966, Pérez-Hernández 2018.…”

“…The species of the genus Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830 are diurnal beetles that inhabit open sunny fields in temperate and tropical forests, and are often associated with vines, herbaceous and shrub vegetation (Miskimen 1972;Pérez-Hernández 2018). Adults can be found during the rainy season usually feeding on nectar, pollen, and other floral structures from their host plants (Miskimen 1972;Ramsdale 2002;Pérez-Hernández 2018), and occasionally also preying upon lepidopteran larvae and adults of other beetle families (Fender 1962). Up to date, there are 47 species of Chauliognathus recorded from Mexico (Delkeskamp 1977, Pérez-Hernández et al in prep.…”

Three new species of soldier beetles from Baltic amber (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

“…The adults of many genera are also predatory but supplement their diet with pollen and shoots (Fiori 1949;Ramsdale 2002). In some cases, for example Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830 andBelotus Gorham in Godman &Salvin, 1881, they appear to be purely pollinivorous and nectarivorous (Ramsdale 2002;Pérez-Hernández 2018). Thus, it is likely that the two described species belonging to the extant genera Rhagonycha and Malthodes likely fed on insects, as do their counterparts.…”