Dacne

Latreille, 1797

pleasing fungus beetles

Dacne is a of in the , comprising approximately 19 described . Members of this genus are associated with fungal substrates, particularly polypores and cultivated mushrooms. Some species are significant pests of commercially grown shiitake mushrooms. The genus has been documented harboring gregarine , with living in small colonies that facilitate parasite transmission.

Dacne picea by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.Dacne californica by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.Dacne quadrimaculata by (c) christine123, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by christine123. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dacne: //ˈdæksiː//

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Images

Habitat

Old elm trees bearing polypores; cultivated mushroom environments

Distribution

Recorded from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Vermont, United States; Cambridge area documented for at least one

Seasonality

Active in Autumn and Spring (based on collection records)

Diet

Polypores; association with shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) based on behavioral responses to volatiles

Host Associations

  • Lentinula edodes - shiitake mushroom Dacne picta shows chemotactic response to odors across all developmental stages
  • Anisolobus dacnecola - gregarine Heavy observed in Dacne rufifrons

Behavior

Exhibits chemotactic response to fungal odors; lives in small colonies, facilitating transmission; both sexes respond to mushroom volatiles

Ecological Role

Fungivore; major pest of cultivated shiitake mushrooms

Human Relevance

Pest of commercial shiitake mushroom

More Details

Parasite susceptibility

living in small colonies show high rates of by gregarine , with infection risk increased by colonial

Sources and further reading