A Review of the Beetle Genus of Taiwan, with Description of a New Species (Coleoptera, Latridiidae).

The genus in Taiwan was previously known to contain three species, Johnson, Johnson, and (Fabricius). Johnson and Johnson are known from the Palearctic, and (Fabricius) is a cosmopolitan species. In this study, the genus in Taiwan is reviewed for the first time, with three species being recognized, including two recorded species, Johnson and Johnson, and a species new to science, sp.

Challenges in baiting to manage fungus-growing termite colonies.

Fungus-growing termites (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) exhibit significant diversity and abundance in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Fungus-growing termites consume a wide range of materials, including leaf litter, woody debris, agricultural crops, and wooden structures, including houses. Their presence in termite baiting stations can impede the control of other residential termite pests, such as Coptotermes spp.

Three-layered functionally specialized nest structures enhance strength and water retention in mounds of Globitermes sulphureus (Blattodea: Termitidae).

Termite mounds are a ubiquitous feature of savanna ecosystems, yet the mechanisms by which termites (Blattodea: Termitoidae) mitigate the challenges posed by seasonal drought and flooding through mound construction remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates the material properties, water retention capabilities, and resistance to raindrop penetration across three distinct layers of Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland, 1898) (Blattodea: Termitidae) nests. Our findings reveal a pronounced diversification and specialization of materials and functions across these layers.

Divergent effects of climatic factors on termite body size: alate versus worker castes.

Body size is an important functional trait to animals. Caste division of eusocial insects can exert a profound influence on their interactions with environment. We investigate the intra-specific variation of body size between caste within Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Blattodea: Termitidae), the most common and widely distributed termite species in Taiwan Island.

ACE2: the node connecting the lung cancer and COVID-19.

Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) collaborates with Angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 and Mas receptors to establish the ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas receptor axis. ACE2 impacts lung function and can cause lung injury due to its inflammatory effects. Additionally, ACE2 contributes to pulmonary vasculature dysfunction, resulting in pulmonary hypertension.

Defensive glands in Stylotermitidae (Blattodea, Isoptera).

The large abundance of termites is partially achieved by their defensive abilities. Stylotermitidae represented by a single extant genus, Stylotermes, is a member of a termite group Neoisoptera that encompasses 83% of termite species and 94% of termite genera and is characterized by the presence of the frontal gland. Within Neoisoptera, Stylotermitidae represents a species-poor sister lineage of all other groups.

Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species.

Hybridization between invasive pest species may lead to significant genetic and economic impacts that require close monitoring. The two most invasive and destructive termite species worldwide, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), have the potential for hybridization in the field. A three-year field survey conducted during the dispersal flight season of Coptotermes in Taiwan identified alates with atypical morphology, which were confirmed as hybrids of the two Coptotermes species using microsatellite and mitochondrial analyses.

Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies against SARS-COV-2 S protein.

Novel coronavirus pneumonia, also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is caused by sub-severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors widely expressed on the surface of human cells leading to life-threatening respiratory infections. A serious hazard to human health is posed by the lack of particular treatment medications for this virus infection.

Soldier phenotypic differences among 2 invasive and destructive Coptotermes species and their hybrids (Blattodea: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

With recent evidence of hybridization events in the field, the phenotypic traits of F1 hybrid colonies of 2 destructive subterranean termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) remain to be investigated. In this study, laboratory colonies of 2 conspecific pairings and 2 heterospecific pairings (hybrid F = ♀C. formosanus × ♂C.

The Trail-Following Communication in Stylotermes faveolus and S. halumicus (Blattodea, Isoptera, Stylotermitidae).

Stylotermitidae appear peculiar among all termites, feeding in trunks of living trees in South Asia only. The difficulty to collect them limits the ability to study them, and they thus still belong to critically unknown groups in respect to their biology. We used a combination of microscopic observations, chemical analysis and behavioural tests, to determine the source and chemical nature of the trail-following pheromone of Stylotermes faveolus from India and S.

Desiccation tolerance of Termitidae termites in relation to their nest type.

The family Termitidae is renowned for its diverse nesting behaviors, with the evolution of epigeal and arboreal nests hypothesized to increase desiccation stress due to greater exposure to air. However, these nests may also alleviate desiccation stress through humidity regulation. To explore the implications of acquiring epigeal and arboreal nests, we investigated desiccation tolerance traits in 16 Termitidae termite species with varying nest types and analyzed trait correlations.

Body size of fungus-growing termites infers on the volume and density of their fungal cultivar.

The body size of an animal plays a crucial role in determining its trophic level and position within the food web, as well as its interactions with other species. In the symbiosis between and fungus-growing termites, termites rely on nutrition of fungal nodules produced by . To understand whether the size of termites and fungal nodules are related to their partner specificity, we quantified the size of termite farmer caste, and the size and density of nodules in termite nests of four genera of fungus-growing termites, and identified their cultivated fungus species based on internal transcribed spacer regions and partial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences.

Nationwide Termite Pest Survey Conducted in Taiwan as a Citizen Science Project.

Information regarding the species composition and dispersal flight season of termites is crucial for termite management. The major obstacles to collecting such information are a lack of access to private buildings and shortage of workers to monitor and report on termite swarming. To overcome these difficulties, we launched a citizen science project in which members of the public and pest management professionals were invited to collect termite samples.

Diet composition of an escaped captive-born southern tamandua () in a nonnative habitat in Asia.

Studies on the role of natural predatory instincts in captive-born mammalian myrmecophagy are rare. Consequently, researchers rely extensively on case reports to learn more about the contexts in which predatory behavior occurs among such animals. In this study, we recorded an uncommon case of a captive-born southern tamandua () that accidentally escaped from a zoo into a nonnative habitat in Asia.

Functional Plasticity of Foraging Shelter Tubes Built by Termites.

Social insects' constructions are diverse and functionally flexible. We aimed to understand how termites modify their behavior and building material to change the function of a shelter tube. Construction behaviors of three termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Blattodea: Termitidae), and Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Nawa) (Blattodea: Termitidae), were recorded and analyzed.

Drugstore Beetle Damage Pattern of Glue Paste-Lined Oil Paintings.

A glue paste lining is a traditional conservation treatment used to reinforce the aged canvas of oil paintings. Several insect infestation cases concerning glue paste-lined oil paintings have been reported around the world, particularly in European countries. In 2008, Chimei Museum, a private museum located in Tainan, Taiwan, was affected by a severe beetle infestation of oil paintings.

Termite Pest Identification Method Based on Deep Convolution Neural Networks.

Several species of drywood termites, subterranean termites, and fungus-growing termites cause extensive economic losses annually worldwide. Because no universal method is available for controlling all termites, correct species identification is crucial for termite management. Despite deep neural network technologies' promising performance in pest recognition, a method for automatic termite recognition remains lacking.

Area-population control of fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus, using hexaflumuron durable baits.

Background: Fungus-growing termites (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) are common forest and agriculture pests. To evaluate the efficacy of termite baiting in suppressing field population of fungus-growing termites, a durable termite bait with hexaflumuron was evenly installed in a one-hectare forest area dominated by a fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Monthly monitoring of termite foraging activity on baits and wood stakes was conducted for 4 years to quantify efficacy of baits.

Termite's Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes.

The asymmetric mandibles of termites are hypothetically more efficient, rapid, and powerful than the symmetric mandibles of snap-jaw ants or termites. We investigated the velocity, force, precision, and defensive performance of the asymmetric mandibular snaps of a termite species, Pericapritermes nitobei. Ultrahigh-speed recordings of termites revealed a new record in biological movement, with a peak linear velocity of 89.

Digesta retention time and recovery rates of ants and termites in Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla).

Pangolins are myrmecophagous mammals whose biology and ecology remain poorly studied. Termite mandibles and ant head capsules are the two primary remains found in pangolin feces. Determining the retention time of insect cuticles is important for understanding the digestive physiology of pangolins, while determining the recovery rate of termites and ants in feces is required to estimate the number of these prey items that are consumed by pangolins.

Identification of Subterranean Termite Genus, Reticulitermes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Taiwan.

Species identification in the genus Reticulitermes is often difficult because of ambiguous morphological characters. Challenges in Reticulitermes spp. recognition have also been encountered in East Asia, including Taiwan.

Nematode-free agricultural system of a fungus-growing termite.

Fungus-growing termites forage dead plant materials from the field to cultivate symbiotic Termitomyces fungi in the nest. Termite foraging behavior and the entry of symbiotic arthropod inquilines may transfer nematodes into a nest and adversely affect fungus production. To test whether nematodes were transferred to fungus gardens by termites and inquilines, we examined the occurrence of nematodes in fungus gardens, five termite castes, and nine species of inquilines of a fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus.

Foraging Phenology of the Fungus-Growing Termite Odontotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Termitidae).

Fungus-growing termites are major contributors to litter decomposition and an agriculture pest in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. The foraging behavior of fungus-growing termites was hypothesized to be seasonal and may associate with climatic factors and the occurrence of natural enemies. In this study, we tested the effects of climatic factors and the presence of ants on the foraging activity of the fungus-growing termite Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Blattodea: Termitidae).

() sp. n., a new termitophilous species from Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Lomechusini).

The staphylinid tribe Lomechusini is known for the diverse associations with ants or termites. A new species of rove beetle belonging to Zyras (Diaulaconia) is found to be associated with the fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki, 1909), and is showing meticulous predatory behavior. In the present study, this species is described as Zyras (Diaulaconia) artemis Liang, Maruyama & Li, sp.