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Insects
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Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation
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Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2493

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rafał Gosik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Interests: morphology; ecology and taxonomy of beetles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) are the most common group of insects, inhabiting a wide range of habitats and playing a vital role in ecosystems. Consequently, beetles will continue to be an important subject of research, ranging from field to molecular studies. This Special Issue focuses on research that blends field surveys and laboratory and molecular experiments to address difficulties in beetle biology, zoography, phylogeny, and taxonomy. Articles on the application of integrative entomology in beetle protection are also appreciated. Preference will be given to works that show strategies for understanding and combining data from various domains of entomology. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Rafał Gosik
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Coleoptera
  • beetles
  • biology
  • taxonomy
  • conservation
  • zoography
  • biodiversity
  • morphology
  • integrative entomology
  • phylogeny

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 848 KiB  
Article
Anthropogenic Impacts on Bark and Ambrosia Beetle Assemblages in Tropical Montane Forest in Northern Borneo
by Evahtira Gunggot, Roger A. Beaver, Jonathan Jimmey Lucas, Sandra Geogina George, Anastasia Rasiah, Wilson V. C. Wong, Maria Lourdes T. Lardizabal and Naoto Kamata
Insects 2025, 16(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020121 - 26 Jan 2025
Viewed by 461
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest conversion, have a profound impact on species distributions and biodiversity in tropical forests. This study aimed to determine the diversity and distribution of bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) across three forest types: Primary Forest (PF), [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest conversion, have a profound impact on species distributions and biodiversity in tropical forests. This study aimed to determine the diversity and distribution of bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) across three forest types: Primary Forest (PF), Disturbed Forest (DF), and Rubber Plantation (RP) in southern Sabah, Malaysia. We analyzed biweekly data obtained from ethanol-baited traps over three years, from April 2017 to May 2020, which included 7257 individuals from 154 species. The dominant species remained the same across all forest types. However, species composition was highly stochastic and unpredictable between forest types. The abundance and number of species were highest in RP but lowest in DF. Indigenous forest use in DF mostly for fuel likely reduced the resources for the beetles. Open canopy structure in RP probably increased the number of flying beetles. Although adjacent to PF, RP displayed a distinct species composition predominantly associated with rubber trees. These findings underscore the anthropogenic impact on beetle assemblages due to forest use and emphasize the need for sustainable forest management practices to prevent biodiversity loss and maintain ecosystem stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation)
12 pages, 1627 KiB  
Article
Thermal Melanism in Pachnoda iskuulka (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)
by Petr Bogusch, Oto Petřík, Antonín Hlaváček, Ondřej Šebesta and Petr Šípek
Insects 2025, 16(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010061 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Thermal polymorphism, usually represented by thermal melanism (darker coloration in cooler habitats), is a well-known phenomenon in animals. In Cetoniinae, several species in captivity tend to become darker after several generations of breeding, which is probably caused by a lower temperature than is [...] Read more.
Thermal polymorphism, usually represented by thermal melanism (darker coloration in cooler habitats), is a well-known phenomenon in animals. In Cetoniinae, several species in captivity tend to become darker after several generations of breeding, which is probably caused by a lower temperature than is typical for their native habitats. Pachnoda iskuulka is a beetle species occurring in Somaliland. This species is easy to breed in captivity, and it is colorful and variable in the proportions of yellow, red, and black coloration. We kept this species from the first instar larva to the adult stage at three different temperatures. Elytra and pronotum of the adults were photographed, and proportions of the three main colors were measured. The proportion of black coloration significantly increased with size and decreased with temperature, while the proportion of yellow color increased. This species is certainly thermally polymorphic, which can be an adaptation for activation even at lower temperatures. The possible mimicry with beetles of the genus Hycleus is discussed. It is the first confirmation of thermal polymorphism in Cetoniinae and one of a few in Coleoptera. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation)
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13 pages, 3650 KiB  
Article
Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum
by Hasnae Hajji, Mariyem Rehali, Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi, Jean-Pierre Lumaret and Youness Mabrouki
Insects 2024, 15(12), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15121002 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 744
Abstract
This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (Onthophagus vacca, Onthophagus marginalis subsp. andalusicus, Euonthophagus crocatus, and Gymnopleurus sturmi) [...] Read more.
This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (Onthophagus vacca, Onthophagus marginalis subsp. andalusicus, Euonthophagus crocatus, and Gymnopleurus sturmi) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, changes in soil properties were assessed, focusing on the organic matter content, pH, conductivity, enzyme activities (e.g., urease, phosphatase), and microbial load. The results revealed significant increases in all the measured parameters across the treatments involving dung beetles, emphasising their role in enhancing soil fertility and plant productivity. The study also highlights the variation in effectiveness among the species, suggesting that beetle diversity plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling. Integrating dung beetles into sustainable farming practices could, therefore, serve as a key strategy to promote resilient agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation)
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