Searching for variables representing the response to cold stress in mediterranean Geotrupinae reveals an association between heat and cold tolerances.

The study of cold tolerance is imperative for understanding insect activity across spatial and temporal gradients. Here, we assessed various physiological variables to discern the response to cold stress in Mediterranean earth-boring dung beetles, utilizing an infrared thermography protocol initially developed for detecting heat stress variables. Subsequently, we conducted a joint analysis of heat and cold stress variables to explore the extent of congruence between their responses.

Comparative thermoregulation between different species of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupinae).

Insects can use thermoregulation to keep their body temperatures within a certain range in response to thermal stress situations. The mechanisms to regulate internal temperature depend on whether species are endothermic or ectothermic species, i.e.

Ivermectin residues disrupt dung beetle diversity, soil properties and ecosystem functioning: An interdisciplinary field study.

Ivermectin is the most common endectocide used to control parasites affecting livestock. Short-term physiological and behavioural effects of ivermectin on dung beetles may have long-term consequences for beetle populations and ecosystem functioning. Long-term effects of the use of ivermectin can be estimated by comparing dung assemblages and ecosystem functions in areas with conventional ivermectin-treated livestock and environmentally similar areas in which livestock are not treated with veterinary medical products (organic farming).

A protocol for analysing thermal stress in insects using infrared thermography.

The study of insect responses to thermal stress has involved a variety of protocols and methodologies that hamper the ability to compare results between studies. For that reason, the development of a protocol to standardize thermal assays is necessary. In this sense, infrared thermography solves some of the problems allowing us to take continuous temperature measurements without handling the individuals, an important fact in cold-blooded organisms like insects.

Acorn consumption improves the immune response of the dung beetle Thorectes lusitanicus.

Thorectes lusitanicus, a typically coprophagous species is also actively attracted to oak acorns, consuming, burying them, and conferring ecophysiological and reproductive advantages to both the beetle and the tree. In this study, we explored the possible relation between diet shift and the health status of T. lusitanicus using a generalist entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) as a natural pathogen.