Dalotia coriaria explained

Dalotia coriaria, the greenhouse rove beetle, is a species of staphylinid rove beetle in the subfamily Aleocharinae. It is used as a predatory biological control agent for the management of pest insects.

Biological control

Dalotia coriaria is a commercially available species, sold by several Integrated Pest Management companies in the US and Europe. The beetles are employed as a biological control agent of glasshouse pests. Both adults and larvae prey upon larvae of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.), and adult beetles also target shore flies (Scatella spp.) and thrips.^[1] The species was discovered feeding on a laboratory culture of fungus gnats, stimulating a study into its efficacy as a biological control agent.^[2]

Use as a model organism

Dalotia coriaria's fast generation time, high fecundity and ease of culture of have recently led to the species being developed as a laboratory model organism.^[3]

Taxonomic history

Like many Aleocharinae, Dalotia coriaria has a complex taxonomic history. Initially described a member of Homalota,^[4] many authors placed it in the large genus Atheta, before its current placement in Dalotia.^[5]

Notes and References

1. 2013: Life History Characteristics of the Rove Beetle, Dalotia coriaria (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) under Laboratory Conditions. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 86(2): :145-154.

2. ; ; 2002: The Potential of Atheta coriaria Kraatz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), as a Biological Control Agent for Use in Greenhouse Crops. IOBC/WPRS Bull, 139: 37-40.

3. ; 2013: Development of the adult abdominal defensive gland in Atheta coriaria Kraatz: a key innovation for ecological and biological success (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Entomological Society of America meeting abstract link

4. (1856): Naturgeschichte der Insecten Deutschlands. Erste Abteilung. Coleoptera. Bd. 2. Lief. 1–2. Verlag der Nicolaischen Buchhandlung, Berlin, pp. 1–376.
5. (2003): Revision of some types of North American aleocharines (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), with synonymic notes. Zootaxa 353 pp. 1–134.