Entangling the Enemy: Ecological, Systematic, and Medical Implications of Dermestid Beetle Hastisetae

Ruzzier, Enrico; Kadej, Marcin; Giulio, Andrea Di; Battisti, Andrea

doi:10.3390/insects12050436

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Figure S3). This observation is in stark comparison to an experimental accident reported by Ruzzier et al (2021). Their dermestid rearing substrate was infested by weevils ( Sitophilus spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 48%

“…Vertebrates, including humans, are also adversely affected by dermestids, with multiple reports of allergy, dermatitis, and lung and skin inflammatory reactions after dermestid exposure (Bernstein et al ., 2009; Gumina and Yan, 2021; MacArthur et al ., 2016; Simon et al ., 2021). The internal structure of hastisetae contains an unidentified amorphous matrix, which is hypothesized to contain defensive proteins and/or chemicals, like the defensive hastisetae in Lepidoptera (Battisti et al ., 2011; Ruzzier et al ., 2021). However, dermestid hastisetae differ from Lepidoptera in that they do not have secretory or glandular cells (Ruzzier et al ., 2022), and thus it is unlikely toxins are delivered through direct hastisetae contact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, dermestid hastisetae differ from Lepidoptera in that they do not have secretory or glandular cells (Ruzzier et al ., 2022), and thus it is unlikely toxins are delivered through direct hastisetae contact. Hastisetae regenerate along with the epicuticle with each larval molt and the remaining shed moults contain the old hastisetae (Ruzzier et al ., 2021). Mortality of weevils (Curclionidae) due to hastisetae-contaminated substrate has been recorded, suggesting hastisetae functionality persists over time even after they are shed during moulting and discarded (Ruzzier et al ., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hastisetae regenerate along with the epicuticle with each larval molt and the remaining shed moults contain the old hastisetae (Ruzzier et al ., 2021). Mortality of weevils (Curclionidae) due to hastisetae-contaminated substrate has been recorded, suggesting hastisetae functionality persists over time even after they are shed during moulting and discarded (Ruzzier et al ., 2021). It is unknown if dermestid hastisetae are harmful to crickets, and whether fully intact hastisetae or dermestid-infested cricket farm substrate (ex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Farmed crickets raised with dermestids suffer from reduced and delayed growth, but not enough to explain reports of dramatic yield loss

Muzzatti,

Ritchie,

Bess

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The mass production of crickets for food and feed is an expanding North American industry. Facilities that mass rear insects are at risk of pest infestations because the optimal environmental conditions for rearing beneficial species may also support the development of pest species. Here, we present the first recorded results detailing the interactions between dermestids and farmed crickets. Cricket farms have reported extremely low harvest yield during heavy dermestid infestations, but the exact reasons for this low yield are unknown. Many dermestid larvae are covered in dense, detachable, barbed setae called hastisetae, which are used by the larvae as an active trapping system against arthropod predators. We designed a series of experiments to test the hypotheses that dermestids (Dermestes aterDeGeer) may be directly impacting cricket (Gryllodes sigillatusWalker) yield through the physical effects of hastisetae ingestion and/or indirectly impacting cricket yield through competition for fishmeal, a primary source of protein in conventional cricket feed. Our predictions that cricket life history and survival would be negatively affected by dermestids were largely refuted. Females fed infested diets grew less mass, but not smaller body size, compared to females fed uninfested diets. We also found that while crickets experienced delayed growth early in life after living with dermestids, they were able to tolerate living with, and consuming, dermestid larvae. We discuss how these findings have led to new hypotheses concerning how dermestid infestations drive reductions in cricket farm yield.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 48%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Farmed crickets raised with dermestids suffer from reduced and delayed growth, but not enough to explain reports of dramatic yield loss

Muzzatti,

Ritchie,

Bess

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With this portion of the hastisetae compromised, it is possible that the intended effect (i.e., cricket crops becoming infested with hastisetae) was structurally less able to occur. Hastisetae are mainly comprised of chitin and protein, though their exact composition is unknown (Ruzzier, et al 2020;Ruzzier, et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Signaling Vigor in Gryllodes Sigillatus: Relationship with Age and Foreign Body Ingestion

Froome¹

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Male Gryllidae acoustic signaling behaviour varies between and within species and may be influenced by a variety of factors including age, condition, and parasitism. I investigated variation within and among male Gryllodes sigillatus' mate attraction signaling behaviour and examined how variation in signaling vigour was influenced by age. I found extensive variation in male signaling between and within individuals; males differed in signaling vigour and quality, and their signaling changed over time. I found that smaller males signaled more consistently throughout their lives while larger males rarely called when younger and increased signaling vigour with age. As males have often been found to honestly signal their body condition (i.e., body mass), parasites may influence a male's perceived attractiveness to potential mates. I therefore also investigated how signaling vigour was influenced by the ingestion of the long barbed hastisetae from a typical pest species, dermestid (Dermestes ater), that plagues rearing facilities. These foreign bodies are regularly ingested during rearing. I found that males fed the highest concentration of dermestid hastisetae behaved differently than males in the control and high treatments. As individuals aged, smaller males greatly increased their signaling vigour and produced more attractive calls while larger males decreased their signaling vigour and produced less attractive calls. While further investigation into Gryllodes sigillatus signaling behaviour is needed, my results provide interesting insights into the factors shaping signaling variation in this species. Alyssa Froome Master of Science Fall 2022 iii Acknowledgements I am grateful to the Department of Biology at Carleton University for their assistance throughout my Master's education. I would like to personally thank Ed Bruggink and Dr. Genevieve Ferguson for helping with greenhouse maintenance and equipment repairs. I would also like to thank my committee members Drs. Gita Kolluru and Roslyn Dakin for providing invaluable feedback. I would like to extend a huge thank you to my supervisor Dr. Sue Bertram. She has provided me with unending guidance and support over the last five years and has pushed me to be a better researcher, scientist and student. The countless hours of meetings, editing and educating that she has invested over the course of my education is invaluable. She never lost faith even when every single bad thing that could happen did. Without her belief in me, guidance and support I would never have made it to where I am now. I would like to thank all members of the Bertram lab who have helped over the past few years. I would like to thank Mahir Awsaf, Emma McConnell and Olivia Gagnon who helped me immensely with cricket care, photographing and measuring. I would like to personally thank Matt Muzzatti for always being there to answer my questions, and for all his help on our joint dermestid research. Matt has taught me so much, especially (mostly against my will) about 'bugs'; I may never fully recover fr...

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Different nest entrance architecture by Colobopsis and Temnothorax ants colonizing oak galls

Giannetti

Schifani²,

Castracani³

et al. 2022

Insect. Soc.

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Entangling the Enemy: Ecological, Systematic, and Medical Implications of Dermestid Beetle Hastisetae

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Farmed crickets raised with dermestids suffer from reduced and delayed growth, but not enough to explain reports of dramatic yield loss

Farmed crickets raised with dermestids suffer from reduced and delayed growth, but not enough to explain reports of dramatic yield loss

Signaling Vigor in Gryllodes Sigillatus: Relationship with Age and Foreign Body Ingestion

Different nest entrance architecture by Colobopsis and Temnothorax ants colonizing oak galls

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