Fungal-defense

Guides

• Lagriinae

  Long-jointed Beetles

  Lagriinae is a subfamily of darkling beetles within the family Tenebrionidae, comprising more than 270 genera grouped into 11 tribes. Adults are medium-sized (5–12 mm) with characteristic Tenebrionidae features including a 5-5-4 tarsal formula and antennal bases concealed by canthi. The subfamily is notable for its defensive symbiosis with Burkholderia bacteria that produce the antifungal compound lagriamide, protecting eggs and larvae from antagonistic fungi. This symbiosis has evolved through multiple independent horizontal acquisition events rather than strict co-diversification.

  defensive-symbiosisBurkholderialagriamidegenome-erosionhorizontal-transmissionmimicrysexual-dimorphismapterydarkling-beetlesTenebrionidaeColeopteramutualismfungal-defenseovipositor-glands