Circadian behaviors of the parasitic beetles, Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera sub(:) Bothrideridae) under artificial light/dark conditions

The parasitic beetle, Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) is the dominant species among the natural enemies against the wood-boring insects of trees. The research of the circadian rhythm of male and female adult behaviors of D. helophoroides can help us to understand their biological characteristics and illustrate their living habits. The behaviors of D. helophoroides adults were observed and recorded at a 30 min interval by single rearing separately under the temperature 27[+ or -]1[degree]C and relative humidity 65%[+ or -]10% in the laboratory from July 10th to 15th, 2014. The observed behaviors of males and females were divided into five types, i.e., moving, foraging, drinking, resting with contacting wood and resting without contacting wood. The behaviors of D. helophoroides are influenced significantly by light and dark conditions. The moving behavior mostly takes place during the dark period; however, there is no significant difference in the percentages of various behaviors between females and males.