Description of the immature stages of the flea beetle Omophoita personata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini)

Alticini is the most diverse tribe of Chrysomelidae with approximately 8,000 species. Despite of its high diversity, little is known about their natural history and immature stages. Herein, we describe the immatures of Omophoita personata (Illiger, 1807) reared in laboratory from adults sampled in field. We also investigated and compared with immatures of O. octoguttata (Fabricius, 1775). Detailed morphology and chaetotaxy are presented. Larvae of O. personata have their bodies covered with tubercles and the stemmata are absent. These characteristics are shared with other Oedionychina species, reinforcing the stability of these morphological characteristics as diagnostic of this subtribe. This study provides important descriptive and comparative data that increases the knowledge about Alticini immatures.(AU)

Redescription of Omophoita octoguttata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its immature stages, with notes on life history

Given that many descriptions of Coleoptera were made with only external and superficial characters, an update to the original characterization of species is deemed necessary. This study focuses on updating the know morphological data for the adults of Omophoita octoguttata (Fabricius,1775) (Galerucinae, Alticini), a flea beetle native of southern Brazil. We also give insights on the morphology of its immature stages. The adult can be easily recognized by the pale macula at vertex, six large pale maculae, and two smaller in the humeral region at the elytra. The immatures are similar to other know Oedionychina. Eggs oval and orange. Mature larvae present setae bearing scoli, a reddened body, pygopod present, and lacking stemmata, but with curved hook-like tarsal claws. The pupae present slender black setae through its yellowed body, with the elytral and hind wing thecae curved around the body. The eggs are laid in small clutches in the soil and when the larvae eclode they stay in the aerial parts of plants. The mature larvae form a cocoon of soil matter around themselves for their pupal phase. Morphological remarks for larva and pupa of this species when compared to other members of the genus remain limited, demanding further studies with other species.(AU)

Redescription of Omophoita octoguttata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its immature stages, with notes on life history

Given that many descriptions of Coleoptera were made with only external and superficial characters, an update to the original characterization of species is deemed necessary. This study focuses on updating the know morphological data for the adults of Omophoita octoguttata (Fabricius,1775) (Galerucinae, Alticini), a flea beetle native of southern Brazil. We also give insights on the morphology of its immature stages. The adult can be easily recognized by the pale macula at vertex, six large pale maculae, and two smaller in the humeral region at the elytra. The immatures are similar to other know Oedionychina. Eggs oval and orange. Mature larvae present setae bearing scoli, a reddened body, pygopod present, and lacking stemmata, but with curved hook-like tarsal claws. The pupae present slender black setae through its yellowed body, with the elytral and hind wing thecae curved around the body. The eggs are laid in small clutches in the soil and when the larvae eclode they stay in the aerial parts of plants. The mature larvae form a cocoon of soil matter around themselves for their pupal phase. Morphological remarks for larva and pupa of this species when compared to other members of the genus remain limited, demanding further studies with other species.

Redescription of Omophoita octoguttata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its immature stages, with notes on life history

ABSTRACT Given that many descriptions of Coleoptera were made with only external and superficial characters, an update to the original characterization of species is deemed necessary. This study focuses on updating the know morphological data for the adults of Omophoita octoguttata (Fabricius,1775) (Galerucinae, Alticini), a flea beetle native of southern Brazil. We also give insights on the morphology of its immature stages. The adult can be easily recognized by the pale macula at vertex, six large pale maculae, and two smaller in the humeral region at the elytra. The immatures are similar to other know Oedionychina. Eggs oval and orange. Mature larvae present setae bearing scoli, a reddened body, pygopod present, and lacking stemmata, but with curved hook-like tarsal claws. The pupae present slender black setae through its yellowed body, with the elytral and hind wing thecae curved around the body. The eggs are laid in small clutches in the soil and when the larvae eclode they stay in the aerial parts of plants. The mature larvae form a cocoon of soil matter around themselves for their pupal phase. Morphological remarks for larva and pupa of this species when compared to other members of the genus remain limited, demanding further studies with other species.

Morphology of immature stages of Paraegidium costalimai (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae) and remarks on egg-busters in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae

Abstract Studies about the immature stages of Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species are scarce. The subfamily includes 214 species, but only 5 have the immature stages described: Chaetonyx robustus liguricus Mariani, 1946, Hybalus benoiti Tournier, 1864, H. rotroui Petrovitz, 1964 and Triodontus nitidulus (Guérin, 1844) from Old World; and Aegidium cribratum Bates, 1887 from the New World. The Neotropical genus ParaegidiumVulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 encompass five species, mainly recorded from Brazil. Herein, the immature stages of P. costalimaiVulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 are described and illustrated, along with remarks on the presence of egg-buster in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae. A key to the third-instar larvae of known Orphninae and a comparative study of chaetotaxy are also provided.

Morphology of the adult and immatures of a striking new species of leaf-mining Brachys Dejean from Brazil (Buprestidae, Agrilinae)

Abstract Adult and immature stages of a new species, Brachys cleidecostae sp. nov., are described and illustrated. This species represents the first leaf-mining buprestid with two broad, prominent horn-like apophyses on vertex, resembling broad horns. The material was collected within unusual shaped leaf mines in Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum (Rubiaceae), a native species from Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). This is the first record of Brachys associated with a host plant of family Rubiaceae.

Descriptions of larval and pupal morphologies of Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) (Silvanidae: Brontinae: Brontini)

The mature larva and pupa of the Australian silvanid species, Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) are described from laboratory reared material. This is the first description of immature stages of Silvanidae from Australia. The larva of M. militaris conforms to the general body shape and apparent morphological features of known Brontini and is very similar to the Asian M. sculptus Yoshida & Hirowatari. Larval and pupal features of M. militaris are compared with other known larvae and pupae of Brontini described in the literature.

Morphology of immature stages of Paraegidium costalimai (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae) and remarks on egg-busters in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae

Studies about the immature stages of Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species are scarce. The subfamily includes 214 species, but only 5 have the immature stages described: Chaetonyx robustus liguricus Mariani, 1946, Hybalus benoiti Tournier, 1864, H. rotroui Petrovitz, 1964 and Triodontus nitidulus (Guérin, 1844) from Old World; and Aegidium cribratum Bates, 1887 from the New World. The Neotropical genus Paraegidium Vulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 encompass five species, mainly recorded from Brazil. Herein, the immature stages of P. costalimai Vulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 are described and illustrated, along with remarks on the presence of egg-buster in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae. A key to the third-instar larvae of known Orphninae and a comparative study of chaetotaxy are also provided.

Morphology of the adult and immatures of a striking new species of leaf-mining Brachys Dejean from Brazil (Buprestidae, Agrilinae)

Adult and immature stages of a new species, Brachys cleidecostae sp. nov., are described and illustrated. This species represents the first leaf-mining buprestid with two broad, prominent horn-like apophyses on vertex, resembling broad horns. The material was collected within unusual shaped leaf mines in Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum (Rubiaceae), a native species from Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). This is the first record of Brachys associated with a host plant of family Rubiaceae.

Morphology of the adult and immatures of a striking new species of leaf-mining Brachys Dejean from Brazil (Buprestidae, Agrilinae)

Adult and immature stages of a new species, Brachys cleidecostae sp. nov., are described and illustrated. This species represents the first leaf-mining buprestid with two broad, prominent horn-like apophyses on vertex, resembling broad horns. The material was collected within unusual shaped leaf mines in Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum (Rubiaceae), a native species from Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). This is the first record of Brachys associated with a host plant of family Rubiaceae.(AU)

Descriptions of larval and pupal morphologies of Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) (Silvanidae: Brontinae: Brontini)

The mature larva and pupa of the Australian silvanid species, Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) are described from laboratory reared material. This is the first description of immature stages of Silvanidae from Australia. The larva of M. militaris conforms to the general body shape and apparent morphological features of known Brontini and is very similar to the Asian M. sculptus Yoshida & Hirowatari. Larval and pupal features of M. militaris are compared with other known larvae and pupae of Brontini described in the literature.(AU)

Morphology of immature stages of Paraegidium costalimai (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae) and remarks on egg-busters in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae

Studies about the immature stages of Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species are scarce. The subfamily includes 214 species, but only 5 have the immature stages described: Chaetonyx robustus liguricus Mariani, 1946, Hybalus benoiti Tournier, 1864, H. rotroui Petrovitz, 1964 and Triodontus nitidulus (Guérin, 1844) from Old World; and Aegidium cribratum Bates, 1887 from the New World. The Neotropical genus Paraegidium Vulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 encompass five species, mainly recorded from Brazil. Herein, the immature stages of P. costalimai Vulcano, Pereira & Martinez, 1966 are described and illustrated, along with remarks on the presence of egg-buster in Scarabaeidae first-instar larvae. A key to the third-instar larvae of known Orphninae and a comparative study of chaetotaxy are also provided.(AU)

Description of larva and pupa of the weevil Hybolabus amazonicus Voss (Attelabidae: Attelabinae), a leaf roller on Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

Abstract The last instar larva and the pupa of Hybolabus amazonicusVoss, 1925 are described and illustrated, based upon adults and immatures collected in the Amazonian Region (Acre and Amazonas, Brazil). The larvae live and develop inside a leaf-roll made by the female weevil. Although the species has already been reported damaging leaves of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl., Lecythidaceae) in the states of Acre and Amazonas, the preimaginal stages have not been formerly described. These are the first descriptions of larva and pupa of a species of the genus Hybolabus Jekel, 1860.

Potential phylogenetic significance of the number of functional abdominal spiracles in beetle pupae, with focus on Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera)

Abstract The distribution of functional abdominal spiracles in pupae of Coleoptera is reviewed based on published descriptions and original observations. Aquatic Coleoptera typically have strong modifications, generally including dramatic reductions in the number of functional spiracles and often their modification into either spiracular gills or snorkels, as a response to their environment. But pupae of the great majority of Coleoptera, which are terrestrial, show broad stability across higher taxa. Most terrestrial beetles have at least the first five pairs of abdominal spiracles functional, up to and including a full set of eight pairs. However, the number is unexpectedly low in Scarabaeoidea and within Staphyliniformia, where Histeridae and all Staphylinoidea have a confirmed maximum of four pairs of spiracles. The relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles in terrestrial pupae is explored, and it is suggested that those groups with an unexpectedly small number of functional spiracles may have passed through a small-size bottleneck in their ancestry. However, this hypothesis does not explain why several families of very small beetles in other groups of Coleoptera do not show a similar reduction, and little evidence was found to support a strong relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles at lower taxonomic levels (below family). Whether pupae are exarate or obtect apparently also has little correlation with the number of functional spiracles. However, the consistency and stability of spiracular reductions in the above groups suggests that deep historical factors are involved and thus the reductions may be of phylogenetic significance. It is urged that establishing the number of functional spiracles in beetle pupae become as standard a feature of pupal descriptions as chaetotaxy and whether they are exarate or obtect.

Description of larva and pupa of the weevil Hybolabus amazonicus Voss (Attelabidae: Attelabinae), a leaf roller on Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

The last instar larva and the pupa of Hybolabus amazonicus Voss, 1925 are described and illustrated, based upon adults and immatures collected in the Amazonian Region (Acre and Amazonas, Brazil). The larvae live and develop inside a leaf-roll made by the female weevil. Although the species has already been reported damaging leaves of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl., Lecythidaceae) in the states of Acre and Amazonas, the preimaginal stages have not been formerly described. These are the first descriptions of larva and pupa of a species of the genus Hybolabus Jekel, 1860.

Potential phylogenetic significance of the number of functional abdominal spiracles in beetle pupae, with focus on Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera)

The distribution of functional abdominal spiracles in pupae of Coleoptera is reviewed based on published descriptions and original observations. Aquatic Coleoptera typically have strong modifications, generally including dramatic reductions in the number of functional spiracles and often their modification into either spiracular gills or snorkels, as a response to their environment. But pupae of the great majority of Coleoptera, which are terrestrial, show broad stability across higher taxa. Most terrestrial beetles have at least the first five pairs of abdominal spiracles functional, up to and including a full set of eight pairs. However, the number is unexpectedly low in Scarabaeoidea and within Staphyliniformia, where Histeridae and all Staphylinoidea have a confirmed maximum of four pairs of spiracles. The relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles in terrestrial pupae is explored, and it is suggested that those groups with an unexpectedly small number of functional spiracles may have passed through a “small-size bottleneck” in their ancestry. However, this hypothesis does not explain why several families of very small beetles in other groups of Coleoptera do not show a similar reduction, and little evidence was found to support a strong relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles at lower taxonomic levels (below family). Whether pupae are exarate or obtect apparently also has little correlation with the number of functional spiracles. However, the consistency and stability of spiracular reductions in the above groups suggests that deep historical factors are involved and thus the reductions may be of phylogenetic significance. It is urged that establishing the number of functional spiracles in beetle pupae become as standard a feature of pupal descriptions as chaetotaxy and whether they are exarate or obtect.

Potential phylogenetic significance of the number of functional abdominal spiracles in beetle pupae, with focus on Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera)

The distribution of functional abdominal spiracles in pupae of Coleoptera is reviewed based on published descriptions and original observations. Aquatic Coleoptera typically have strong modifications, generally including dramatic reductions in the number of functional spiracles and often their modification into either spiracular gills or snorkels, as a response to their environment. But pupae of the great majority of Coleoptera, which are terrestrial, show broad stability across higher taxa. Most terrestrial beetles have at least the first five pairs of abdominal spiracles functional, up to and including a full set of eight pairs. However, the number is unexpectedly low in Scarabaeoidea and within Staphyliniformia, where Histeridae and all Staphylinoidea have a confirmed maximum of four pairs of spiracles. The relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles in terrestrial pupae is explored, and it is suggested that those groups with an unexpectedly small number of functional spiracles may have passed through a “small-size bottleneck” in their ancestry. However, this hypothesis does not explain why several families of very small beetles in other groups of Coleoptera do not show a similar reduction, and little evidence was found to support a strong relation between pupal size and number of functional spiracles at lower taxonomic levels (below family). Whether pupae are exarate or obtect apparently also has little correlation with the number of functional spiracles. However, the consistency and stability of spiracular reductions in the above groups suggests that deep historical factors are involved and thus the reductions may be of phylogenetic significance. It is urged that establishing the number of functional spiracles in beetle pupae become as standard a feature of pupal descriptions as chaetotaxy and whether they are exarate or obtect.(AU)

Description of larva and pupa of the weevil Hybolabus amazonicus Voss (Attelabidae: Attelabinae), a leaf roller on Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

The last instar larva and the pupa of Hybolabus amazonicus Voss, 1925 are described and illustrated, based upon adults and immatures collected in the Amazonian Region (Acre and Amazonas, Brazil). The larvae live and develop inside a leaf-roll made by the female weevil. Although the species has already been reported damaging leaves of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl., Lecythidaceae) in the states of Acre and Amazonas, the preimaginal stages have not been formerly described. These are the first descriptions of larva and pupa of a species of the genus Hybolabus Jekel, 1860.(AU)

Redescription of immature stages and adults of Nilio (Nilio ) brunneus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Nilioninae)

We described immature stages of Nilio (Nilio ) brunneus Thomson, 1860 and provide a supplementary description for adults, including new data on the anatomy of the female and male terminalia. We observed N. brunneus feeding on the lichen Parmotrema sp., and that immature and adult are gregarious, with sessile pupae and generations overlapping. In laboratory, eggs hatched in 14 days and adults emerged after seven days in the pupal stage, the adults survived only a few days.

Redescription of immature stages and adults of Nilio (Nilio ) brunneus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Nilioninae)

We described immature stages of Nilio (Nilio ) brunneus Thomson, 1860 and provide a supplementary description for adults, including new data on the anatomy of the female and male terminalia. We observed N. brunneus feeding on the lichen Parmotrema sp., and that immature and adult are gregarious, with sessile pupae and generations overlapping. In laboratory, eggs hatched in 14 days and adults emerged after seven days in the pupal stage, the adults survived only a few days.(AU)