beetles that practice agriculture

Until now, agricultural abilities outside of the human lineage had only been demonstrated in ants and termites.

A new study now shows that certain beetles, known to thrive under tree bark, are actively farming. They cultivate and take care of fungi that provide them with food. Care includes combating fungi of other kinds, as human farmers combat weeds in their gardens.

The demonstration by experiments is the work of the team of Janina Diehl, of the University of Freiburg in Germany.

Diehl and his colleagues examined mushroom gardens cultivated by beetles of the species Xyleborinus saxesenii in the laboratory. They found that these beetles actively influence the species composition of fungi in their orchards.

Beetles of the Xyleborinus saxesenii and similar species feed on special layers of fungi that grow in the tunnels they dig in old wood. The presence of this food resource is providential and some scientists already suspected that the beetles promoted it.

The results of the new study show that beetles of this type do indeed carry out a true agricultural activity, although the exact mechanisms by which they control the fungal community need further investigation, as Peter Biedermann of the University of Freiburg and co-author of the study points out. study. However, there are indications that these beetles employ specific bacteria that produce antibiotics capable of inhibiting the growth of unwanted fungi. The use of these bacteria thus leaves more space and resources for the growth of the good fungi.

The new study shows that beetles of the species Xyleborinus saxesenii possess agricultural skills. (Photo: Gernot Kunzg / University Freiburg)

All members of the colony participate in this unique agricultural activity, including the larvae.

The study is titled “First experimental evidence for active farming in ambrosia beetles and strong heredity of garden microbiomes.” And it has been published in the academic journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. (Source: NCYT by Amazings)