The effect of pollen monodiets on fat body morphology parameters and energy substrate levels in the fat body and hemolymph of Apis mellifera L. workers.

Human activities associated with large-scale farms and the monocultures expose honey bees to one type of food. Moreover, there is an ongoing decline of plant species producing pollen and nectar in Europe. A poorly balanced diet affects a number of processes occurring in a bee's body. The fat body and hemolymph are the tissues that participate in all of them. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the effect of hazel, pine, rapeseed, buckwheat, phacelia and goldenrod pollen on the morphological parameters of fat body trophocytes, the diameters of cell nuclei in oenocytes and the concentrations of compounds involved in energy metabolism (glucose, glycogen, triglycerides and protein). In the cage tests, the bees were fed from the first day of life with sugar candy (control group) or candy with a 10% addition of one of the 6 pollen types. Hemolymph and fat body from various locations were collected from 1-, 7- and 14-day-old workers. Pollen produced by plant species such as hazel and pine increased glucose concentrations in the bee tissues, especially in the hemolymph. It can therefore be concluded that they are valuable sources of energy (in the form of simple carbohydrates) which are quickly used by bees. Pollen from plants blooming in the summer and autumn increased the concentrations of proteins, glycogen and triglycerides in the fat body, especially that from the third tergite. The accumulation of these compounds was associated with an increased the length and width of trophocytes as well as with enhanced metabolic activity, which was evidenced in the increasing diameter of oenocyte cell nuclei. It seems a balanced multi-pollen diet is more valuable for bees, but it is important to understand the effects of the particular pollen types in the context of a mono-diet. In the future, this will make it possible to produce mixtures that can ensure homeostasis in the apian body.

Synthesis of Current Knowledge of the Morphology of the Larval Stages of Paederinae (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae), with a First Insight into the Mature Larva of Pseudomedon Mulsant & Rey, 1878, in the Light of a New Systematic Division.

This is the first morphological description of the mature larva (L2) of the genus Pseudomedon, belonging to the tribe Lathrobiini and subtribe Medonina. Detailed illustrations of its structural features are provided. Based on earlier published and new data, 10 and 18 diagnostic larval morphological characters for Paederinae and Pseudomedon, respectively, are proposed. In the light of the new tribal system established for the subfamily Paederinae and based on the current knowledge (including Pseudomedon) concerning the larval morphology of these staphylinids, a comparative analysis of the traits at different taxonomic levels was carried out: intertribal-between Lathrobiini and Paederini sensu nov., intersubtribal (Lathrobiini)-between Medonina and Lathrobiina, and intrasubtribal for Medonina. As a consequence, 12 intertribal, 2 intersubtribal and 3 intrasubtribal distinguishing features were selected. These features, appearing on the head, antennae and mouthparts of the larvae, confirm the validity of the recent proposals to alter the systematics of these staphylinids at higher taxonomic levels. Our proposed practical identification key to Paederinae larvae at the generic level is a synthesis of the current knowledge of Paederinae larvae, including new data. The work also gives a thorough review of the literature and the state of knowledge of the morphology of Paederinae larvae.

Comparative larval ultramorphology of three endemic Lathrobium (Glyptomerus) species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae) from the Eastern Alps in Italy.

The paper describes the mature larvae (L2) of Lathrobium alzonai, L. freyi and L. paceiendemic, depigmented, apterous and subanophthalmous rove beetles from the Eastern Alps in Italy (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae; Paederine)belonging to the subgenus Glyptomerus. The larva of Lathrobium pacei Piva, 1994 is described for the first time, whereas the larvae of L. alzonai Capra Binaghi, 1938 and L. freyi Koch, 1938 are redescribed. Detailed illustrations of their structural features are provided, and diagnostic larval - morphological characters for Lathrobium are proposed. Based on earlier published and new data, morphological comparisons, both intergeneric (between Lathrobium and Tetartopeus) and interspecific (between L. alzonai, L. freyi and L. pacei) within the subtribe Lathrobiina, are made. The principal differences among the genera and species involve particular structures of the head and their measurements. The generic status of Tetartopeus was confirmed. No clear differences in the external morphological structure between the larvae of Glyptomerus and Lathrobium s.str. were noted. The morphological structure of L. alzonai larvae differed significantly from that of the larvae of the other two species. The differences relate mainly to the much larger body size of L. alzonai, the shape of the head with its relatively narrow neck, the details of the mouthparts structure and the distinct elongation of its antennae, maxillary palps, labial palps, some parts of the legs and urogomphi. Distribution of all known Italian glyptomeroid species of the genus Lathrobium is also given.

Lasius fuliginosus Nest Carton as a Source of New Promising Bioactive Extracts with Chemopreventive Potential.

Six new water extracts (E1-E6) were obtained from nest carton produced by jet black ants Lasius fuliginosus and tested for their biochemical and bioactive properties, including antioxidative and anticancer effects. The present study demonstrated significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the content of individual biochemical constituents, as well as bioactive properties between the investigated samples. All tested extracts demonstrated antioxidant properties (determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods), and the highest antioxidative potential was recorded in extracts E1 and E2 (188.96 and 313.67 µg/mL of ascorbic acid equivalent for ABTS and 176.42 and 202.66 µg/mL for DPPH reagent). Furthermore the six extracts exhibited strong inhibitory activity towards human melanoma cells of the A-375 CRL-1619 line in a dose-dependent manner. The most interesting chemopreventive activity was exhibited by extract E2, which inhibited the proliferation of A-375 cells to the greatest extent, while having a minimal effect on Vero cells. The effect on cancer cells has been confirmed using the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) technique. Significant impedance changes have been detected in A-375 and Vero cells following the administration of extract E2. The obtained results are really promising and constitute the basis for further research on the nest carton of jet black ant.

Description of the larva of Dorcatoma Herbst, 1791 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Dorcatominae), with comments on morphological convergence.

This is the morphological description of the mature larva of a member of the genus Dorcatoma Herbst, 1791. It is also one of the most detailed morphological descriptions of an immature stage of the subfamily Dorcatominae Thomson. Complete characteristics of the head, mouthparts, thorax and abdomen are given. Information relating to morphological convergence with other coleopteran families and the ecology of the species described is also provided.

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella: biology and use in immune studies.

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an invertebrate that is increasingly being used in scientific research. Its ease of reproduction, numerous offspring, short development cycle, and finally, its known genome and immune-related transcriptome provide a convenient research model for investigation of insect immunity at biochemical and molecular levels. Galleria immunity, consisting of only innate mechanisms, shows adaptive plasticity, which has recently become the subject of intensive scientific research. This insect serves as a mini host in studies of the pathogenicity of microorganisms and in vivo tests of the effectiveness of single virulence factors as well as new antimicrobial compounds. Certainly, the Galleria mellonella species deserves our attention and appreciation for its contribution to the development of research on innate immune mechanisms. In this review article, we describe the biology of the greater wax moth, summarise the main advantages of using it as a model organism and present some of the main techniques facilitating work with this insect.

First Insight into Microbiome Profiles of Myrmecophilous Beetles and Their Host, Red Wood Ant Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)-A Case Study.

Formica polyctena belongs to the red wood ant species group. Its nests provide a stable, food rich, and temperature and humidity controlled environment, utilized by a wide range of species, called myrmecophiles. Here, we used the high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina platform for identification of the microbiome profiles of six selected myrmecophilous beetles (Dendrophilus pygmaeus, Leptacinus formicetorum, Monotoma angusticollis, Myrmechixenus subterraneus, Ptenidium formicetorum and Thiasophila angulata) and their host F. polyctena. Analyzed bacterial communities consisted of a total of 23 phyla, among which Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes were the most abundant. Two known endosymbionts-Wolbachia and Rickettsia-were found in the analyzed microbiome profiles and Wolbachia was dominant in bacterial communities associated with F. polyctena, M. subterraneus, L. formicetorum and P. formicetorum (>90% of reads). In turn, M. angusticollis was co-infected with both Wolbachia and Rickettsia, while in the microbiome of T. angulata, the dominance of Rickettsia has been observed. The relationships among the microbiome profiles were complex, and no relative abundance pattern common to all myrmecophilous beetles tested was observed. However, some subtle, species-specific patterns have been observed for bacterial communities associated with D. pygmaeus, M. angusticollis, and T. angulata.

Re-descriptions of mature larvae of two predatory species of Nudobius and Gabrius associated with bark beetle galleries (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).

Detailed external structures of mature larvae of two subcortical species, Nudobius lentus (Gravenhorst) and Gabrius splendidulus (Gravenhorst), are re-described and illustrated based on light and scanning electron microscopy. A combination of characters to distinguish the mature larvae from those of other genera within the tribe Xantholinini for N. lentus, and the subtribe Philonthina for G. splendidulus is presented. Diagnostic larval characters to identify species and genera are given.

Pupae of the mega-diverse rove beetle tribe Staphylinini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae): their traits and systematic significance.

This paper is the first comprehensive work on the pupae of Staphylinidae. It is the first-ever attempt to employ the morphological characters of these pupae in phylogenetic analysis. The study shows that the external structures of Staphylinini pupae could be a useful, alternative source for assessing the relationships of certain taxa within a tribe. The paper also includes an illustrated key to the identification of pupae at the subtribe and generic levels (Abemus, Acylophorus, Astrapaeus, Atanygnathus, Bisnius, Creophilus, Emus, Erichsonius, Gabrius, Hesperus, Heterothops, Neobisnius, Ocypus, Ontholestes, Philonthus, Quedius, Quedionuchus, Rabigus, Staphylinus, and Tasgius) of the tribe Staphylinini, found in Europe. Based on current knowledge of the morphology of pupal stages of Staphylinini species, eight morphological pupal types are presented: Acylophorus, Astrapaeus, Atanygnathus, Erichsonius, Heterothops, Philonthus, Quedius and Staphylinus. The paper also comments on pupal habitat, phenology and morphology in the context of antipredator and environmental adaptations.

Description of Neoxantholinus koghianus sp. n. and its larva from New Caledonia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Xantholinini).

Neoxantholinus koghianus sp. n. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Xantholinini) and the detailed external structure of its late (L2-3) and early (L1) larval instars from New Caledonia are described and illustrated. The morphological differences between L1 and L2-3 of N. koghianus sp. n. involve four characters. Diagnostic larval characters for the genus Neoxantholinus are given for the first time.

First description of the larva of Dinaraea Thomson, 1858, with comments on chaetotaxy, pupa, and life history based on two saproxylic species from Europe (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Athetini).

The paper describes the morphological ultrastructure of the previously unknown early (L1) and late larval instars (L2-3) of Dinaraea, including chaetotaxy, pupal cocoon, prepupa, and pupa, based on the saproxylic species D. aequata Erichson and D. linearis Gravenhorst. Diagnostic larval characters for the genus Dinaraea are given for the first time. Morphological differences between mature larvae of these two species relate to the colouration and degree of flattening of the body, details of antennal structure, anterior margin of the labrum, mandibles, and mala. The differences are relatively small, probably because of the similar ecological preferences of both species. As in the case of other aleocharine larvae, L1 in Dinaraea differs from L2-3 in the lack of some setae on the dorsal surface of the head and thorax, and on the abdominal tergites and sternites; the presence of a subapical seta on the urogomphi; egg bursters on some thoracic and abdominal tergites; a darker antennal segment III; and the relatively longer urogomphi and their apical setae. The differences established in the features of the chaetotaxy of L1 and L2-3 between Athetini (Dinaraea), Oxypodini (Thiasophila) and Homalotini (Gyrophaena) correspond with the molecular marker-based relationships of these taxa.

Comparative larval ultramorphology of some myrmecophilous Aleocharinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), with a first description of the larvae of Amidobiatalpa (Heer O, 1841) and Oxypodahaemorrhoa (Mannerheim C.G., 1830), associated with the Formicarufa species group.

The paper describes the external structures of the late larval stages of two Palearctic myrmecophilous staphylinids: Amidobiatalpa and Oxypodahaemorrhoa associated with the Formicarufa species group. This is the first-ever description of the larva of Amidobia, and the only complete, detailed account of the morphology of this developmental stage in the genus Oxypoda currently available. For the first time in these two genera, 13 and 10 larval diagnostic features, respectively, are proposed. Morphological differences have been established between known and the newly described larvae of five species (genera) of myrmecophilous and one non-myrmecophilous Aleocharinae, belonging to three tribes. Amidobiatalpa and O.haemorrhoa are probably typical, tiny predators, like most other Aleocharinae, including non-myrmecophilous ones. Being very small and highly mobile, they are ignored by worker ants. Not surprisingly, no particular larval morphological modifications were found to enable them to survive among ants. Such features have, however, evolved in the larvae of larger aleocharines, that is, those that are perceived by ants and are wholly integrated with their hosts in the ant nest (e.g. Lomechusa). This comparative analysis of the functional morphology of the larvae of known myrmecophilous Aleocharinae is a springboard to further such studies of these interesting insects.

Ultramorphological characteristics of unknown larva of Phloeonomus punctipennis Thomson, 1867 (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae; Omaliinae): an obligate saproxylic species: notes on chaetotaxy and ecological preferences.

The aim of the study was to describe the morphological ultrastructure, including chaetotaxy, of the previously unknown early (L1) and late (L2-3) larval instars of Phloeonomus punctipennis. The diagnostic larval characters for the genus Phloeonomus are proposed for the first time. Morphological differences between L1 and L3 refer only to the proportion of length of individual parts of antennae and legs as well as length proportion of urogomphi and their subapical setae. The chaetotaxy of the mature larvae of P. punctipennis and Dalotia coriaria, as a model of aleocharine larvae, is compared. Despite some identified differences, the chaetotaxic system proposed previously for Aleocharinae is successfully applied to the larva of P. punctipennis. It may most probably be also useful for larvae of other Omaliinae species. Also, information on geographical distribution and the ecological preferences of this species is provided, as is the information on accompanying insects.

Thiasophila szujeckii sp. n. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)--a cryptic species associated with Formica truncorum in Poland.

The article describes a new rove beetle species, Thiasophila szujeckii sp. n., in southeastern Poland. This new species is associated exclusively with Formica truncorum. The authors describe its sexual dimorphism of habitus, structure of antennae, eighth abdominal tergite and eighth sternite. T. szujeckii sp. n. shares most morphological features with T. angulata and T. lohsei known in Europe. Characters of adults which differentiate the new species from the above-mentioned ones include body size, coloration, structure of ligula, aedeagus, parameres and spermatheca. In order to confirm morphological distinctivness of T. angulata and T. szujeckii, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene (COII) partial sequences of both taxa was analyzed.

Comparative morphology of the larvae of the rove beetles of Paederus, Lathrobium, and Tetartopeus, with notes on its systematic position (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae).

The mature larvae of the rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Lathrobium lineatocolle Scriba and Tetartopeus quadratus (Paykull) are described for the first time, and the larva of Paederus littoralis Gravenhorst is redescribed. Detailed illustrations of their structural features are provided. The description of T. quadratus is the first for that genus. Diagnostic larval, morphological characters for Paederus, Lathrobium, and Tetartopeus are proposed. Based on the earlier published and new data, morphological comparisons at the subtribal and genus levels within the subfamily Paederinae are given. The principal differences among subtribes and genera involve structures located on the head, but several relate to abdominal sclerites and urogomphi. Based on the current data, the previously proposed characters diagnostic for the subfamily Paederinae are verified. A status of Paederidus and Tetartopeus as genera as opposed to their subgeneric status within Paederus and Lathrobium, respectively, was confirmed.

Larval morphology of selected Quedius Stephens, 1829 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) with comments on their subgeneric affiliation.

The study concerns the larval morphology of eight Quedius species from four subgenera: Distichalius, Microsaurus, Quedius, and Raphirus. Mature larvae of three species: Q. (Microsaurus) brevis, Q. (M.) cruentus, and Q. (M.) microps are newly described. The hitherto poorly known larvae of five species: Q. (Raphirus) boops, Q. (Distichalius) cinctus, Q. (s. str.) fuliginosus, Q. (s. str.) molochinus and Q. (M.) mesomelinus, are redescribed. Illustrations of structural features are provided. The combination of characters that allow for distinguishing the known mature larvae of Quedius from closely related genera within the subtribe Quediina is specified. Diagnostic larval morphological characters for each of the subgenera are proposed. The analysis of morphological features within the genus Quedius, with the application of the Multi-Variate Statistic Package (MVSP), showed high distinctiveness of the subgenus Quedius and low coherence among species within the subgenus Microsaurus. The intraspecific variation in the number of bifurcate setae and their spacing on fore tibiae of Q. cinctus is presented.

The first morphological description of the immature stages of Thiasophila Kraatz, 1856 (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae) inhabiting ant colonies of the Formica rufa group.

This article for the first time presents the morphology of the egg, three larval instars, pupal cocoon, prepupa and pupa of myrmecophilous rove beetle Thiasophila angulata (Erichson, 1837) along with illustrations of structural features and chaetotaxy. Morphological comparisons are made between larval instars, and between the mature larva of T. angulata and other known larvae of Aleocharinae belonging to the tribes Athetini, Hoplandriini, Liparocephalini, Lomechusinii and Oxypodini. Pupae of T. angulata and two other species of Aleocharinae: Pella laticollis (Märkell, 1844) and Haploglossa picipennis (Gyllenhal, 1827) are compared. The mature larvae of T. angulata were observed to vary morphologically depending on the ant host species (Formica polyctena, F. rufa or F. truncorum). Host-related variation was observed in median larval body length, head and pronotum width and structure of the antennae.