Kairomone-response
Guides
Bruchus
seed beetles, bean beetles, bean weevils
Bruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 36 species. The genus is characterized by distinctive male genitalia morphology, including a large, sclerotized, boomerang-shaped ventral plate used in species identification. Members are specialized herbivores feeding almost exclusively on legumes in the tribe Fabeae (Vicieae), including peas, lentils, and vetches. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably B. lentis on lentils, B. pisorum on peas, and B. rufimanus on fava beans. The genus is primarily Palearctic in distribution, with some species introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia.
Monochamus titillator
Southern Pine Sawyer
Monochamus titillator is a large longhorned beetle native to the United States, commonly known as the southern pine sawyer. Adults are notable for their elongated antennae, particularly in males, which may exceed body length. The species develops in pine trees and has been documented to respond to kairomones produced by bark beetles, suggesting ecological interactions with these forest pests. Larvae produce distinctive acoustic signals detectable in the 1000-2800 Hz range, a trait that has been explored for detecting southern pine beetle infestations.