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| This image shows some of the seed beetles found in Xinjiang, China. |
An international team of scientists has looked into the diminutive world
of seed beetles in Xinjiang, China to reveal a diversity of 19 species
for the region, 4 of which are new records for the area. The study was
published in the open access journalZooKeys.
Seed beetles from the subfamily Bruchinae are small bugs that live in
the seeds of plants. They feed on grain legumes and seeds of leguminous
trees and shrubs. Adults deposit eggs on seeds, then the larvae chew
their way into the seed. In most cases, they pupate in the seeds and
when become adults they leave.
Little is currently known about the seed-beetles in Xinjiang province, China. The region is the largest Chinese administrative division and is known for its extensive areas and diversity of vegetation.
"Our group checked all seed-beetles specimens from Xinjiang (most collected from 1956 to 1978) in National Zoological Museum of China (NZMC), Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science (IZCAS), in Beijing, China. We have also examined materials collected twice on field in July 2009 and August 2013. Our study revealed 19 species of seed-beetles from, Xinjiang, 4 of which are new records for China." explains the lead author PhD. student You Li.
Little is currently known about the seed-beetles in Xinjiang province, China. The region is the largest Chinese administrative division and is known for its extensive areas and diversity of vegetation.
"Our group checked all seed-beetles specimens from Xinjiang (most collected from 1956 to 1978) in National Zoological Museum of China (NZMC), Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science (IZCAS), in Beijing, China. We have also examined materials collected twice on field in July 2009 and August 2013. Our study revealed 19 species of seed-beetles from, Xinjiang, 4 of which are new records for China." explains the lead author PhD. student You Li.
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