Mature larvae and pupae of Lachnaeus crinitus Schoenherr, 1826 and Rhinocyllus alpinus Gültekin, Diotti and Caldara, 2019 and pupae of R. conicus (Frölich, 1792), belonging to the Lixini (Curculionidae: Lixinae), are morphologically described for the first time. They possess all the characters considered distinctive in the immature stages of this tribe and are distinguishable from all the related genera by a combination of some characters (e.g., presence of endocarina, shape of premental sclerite; the number of pds on the abdominal segments; size and presence of urogomphi). It is emphasized that the controversial tribe Rhinocyllini is not supported by the characters of the larvae and pupae of Rhinocyllus and that the two subgenera of this genus, Rhinocyllus s. str. and Rhinolarinus, are separable from each other not only by characters of the adult but also distinctive characters of the larvae and pupae. These results confirm that the morphology of the immature stages, which is usually overlooked, can be very important for the purpose of identifying new characters that are useful for clarifying taxonomical and phylogenetic complex situations based only on the study of the imagoes.
- Klíčová slova
- Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lachnaeus, Lixini, Rhinocyllus, morphology, description, larva, pupa,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The mature larva of Cionus olivieri Rosenschoeld, 1838 is described and illustrated in detail for the first time. It is compared with those known from the same genus and other genera in the tribe Cionini and with those of the hypothesized sister tribe Mecinini in the Curculioninae. The larvae of Cionus have three distinctive diagnostic features: the reduced number of setae on the epicranium (only two or three des and one or two fs) and on the epipharyngeal lining (only two als, two ams, and no mes); i.e., distinctly fewer than the most frequent number of setae in weevils, and mandibles dentate or angulate internally near the base. If considered together with Stereonychus Suffrian, 1854, the other genus of Cionini with larvae studied in detail, it is preliminarily suggested that mature larvae of this tribe might be characterized by six main diagnostic features: (1) labial palpi one-segmented, (2) labral rods absent, (3) pedal areas swollen to form large lobes or prolegs, (4) mandible with sharp apical teeth, (5) reduced number of fs on frons, only one or two fs, and (6) reduced number of epipharyngeal setae (two or three als and two or three ams, but no mes). It was noticed that C. helleri Reitter, 1904 from Japan, a very distinct species in the genus for some characters of the adult, also possesses distinctive characters in the larva which are uncommon among known cionines. New biological data on C. olivieri with the discovery of its host plant, Verbascum songaricum (Scrophulariaceae), in central Asia are also reported.
- Klíčová slova
- Curculioninae, Verbascum songaricum, weevils, biology, ecology, immature stages,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The immature stages of ten Mecinus species are described for the first time and those of two other species are redescribed, adding important chaetotaxy characters that were missing from previous descriptions. These species belong to six of the nine assemblages of Mecinus species previously established according to a phylogenetic analysis. All these groupings are confirmed on the basis of several characters of mature larvae and pupae. Moreover, all the species show several characters that are useful for distinguishing them from each other, including cryptic species that previously had few differential characters. Some characters that may be useful for separating Mecinus from other genera in the tribe are suggested. To confirm the taxonomic identification of some larvae, the mtCOII gene was obtained and compared with sequences from identified adult specimens. The most important characters for separating the immature stages of the genera and species groups in Mecinus are the number of palpomeres of the labial palpi (1 or 2), the number of air tubes of the thoracic and abdominal spiracles (unicameral or bicameral), and the number of epipharyngeal setae. The species studied herein were compared with those known from other genera in the tribe Mecinini. Two keys, one to the described larvae and the other to the pupae, are provided. Detailed biological data, several of which are new, on some species are reported.
- Klíčová slova
- Mecinini, Mecinus, biology, mature larva, morphology, pupa, taxonomy,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Mature larvae and pupae of Cleonis pigra (Scopoli, 1763) (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) are morphologically described in detail for the first time and compared with known larvae and pupae of other Cleonini species. The results of measurements and characteristics most typical for larvae and pupae of Cleonini are newly extracted and critically discussed, along with some records given previously. Keys for the determination of selected Cleonini species based on their larval and pupal characteristics are attached. Dyar's law was used for the estimation of a number of larval instars of C. pigra. Descriptions of habitats, adult behavior, host plants, life cycle, and biotic interactions are reported here. Adults and larvae feed on plants from the Asteraceae family only (genera Carduus, Cirsium, Centaurea, and Onopordum). Oviposition occurs on the base of the plant stem or the root neck. In the process of larval development, a fusiform gall forms. C. pigra and Cyphocleonus achates can coexist in the same locality. In open habitats, the weevils become the prey of carnivorous animals.
- Klíčová slova
- Cleonis, Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae, biology, host plant, larva, life history, morphology, pupa,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The relationship between the genera Cleopomiarus and Miarus of Mecinini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae) was tested on the basis of morphological characters from the immature stages. The mature larvae of five Cleopomiarus species (C.distinctus (Boheman, 1845), C.graminis (Gyllenhal, 1813), C.longirostris (Gyllenhal, 1838), C.medius (Desbrochers des Loges, 1893), and C.meridionalis (H. Brisout de Barneville, 1863)), three Miarus species (M.abnormis Solari, 1947, M.ajugae (Herbst, 1795), and M.campanulae (Linnaeus, 1767)), and the pupae of four Cleopomiarus species (C.distinctus, C.graminis, C.longirostris, and C.medius) and two Miarus species (M.abnormis and M.ajugae) are described in detail for the first time. To confirm the taxonomic identification of some larvae, DNA COI barcode was obtained and compared with those of adults. The immature stages of the species herein studied were compared with those known from other genera in tribe Mecinini. It is suggested that Miarus and Cleopomiarus may be monophyletic based on several shared distinctive characters. Larvae of Miarus have a characteristic maxillary mala with six finger-like dms of two sizes (one or two dms very long and the rest of medium length), this feature being apparently unique among weevils. Other genus-specific character states are observed in the pupae, such as the length of setae on the head, rostrum and pronotum, including the number of rs on the rostrum, ds on pronotum, and finally the shape of the urogomphi. A key to the described larvae and pupae were respectively presented. New biological and distributional data on some species are reported.
- Klíčová slova
- Cleopomiarus, Mecinini, Miarus, biology, distribution, mature larva, morphology, pupa,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Mature larva and pupa of Larinus vulpes (Olivier, 1807) (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Lixini) are morphologically described for the first time and compared with known larvae and pupae of other Larinus species. Very high counts of larval body setae (pronotum with more than 25 setae and postdorsum on meso- and metathorax and also on abdominal segments I-VII with more than 12 setae) are characteristic features of the nominotypical subgenus Larinus. The biology of the species was studied in Ukraine. Echinops ruthenicus and E. sphaerocephalus were identified as host plants of both larvae and adults of this weevil based on the present research in Ukraine, which shows probably oligophagous. Overwintering beetles emerged at the end of May or earlier, then feeding and mating on the host plants. The highest level of adult activity was observed at the end of June. Larvae were endophagous within the flower heads. In July and August, the larvae pupated within inflorescences in a pupation cell. Adults exited the cells at the end of August and did not hibernate on the host plants. Sometimes, larvae and imagines of a new generation were found outside the flower heads in chambers constructed on the stems.
- Klíčová slova
- Asteraceae, Echinops, Palaearctic Region, eastern Europe, host plant, larva, larval development, life history, morphology, pupa, weevil,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The last instar larva and pupa of Eucoeliodes mirabilis (A. Villa & G. B. Villa, 1835) (Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchini) are described using drawings and SEM images and are compared and keyed with already described larvae of 58 other ceutorhynchinae taxa. The larval body has an effective combination of morphological adaptations that assist a unique biological defensive strategy. All larval stages of E. mirabilis feed ectophytically on leaves of Euonymus europaeus L. (Celastraceae), and the larval body is covered with a thick faecal shield. The fixation of this protective shield on the larval back is performed by a peculiar dorsal microsculpture composed of a dense carpet of microtrichia on the thorax and abdomen, which serves effectively as a velcro system. Because of this strategy, macrosetae on the larval and pupal body of E. mirabilis are completely reduced. Larvae of E. mirabilis also have distinct morphological adaptations for protecting the spiracles against intrusion of faeces and avoiding occlusion of the tracheal system: a) microtrichia around spiracles are slightly shorter, distinctly stronger and are arranged with high-density and in clusters and b) spiracles are protected by an external safety valve. This strategy of E. mirabilis larvae is unique, although somewhat similar to that of Criocerinae and Blepharida-group leave beetles (Galerucinae) (both Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), but with distinctly different morphological adaptations.
- MeSH
- Celastraceae parazitologie MeSH
- feces MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace * MeSH
- kukla anatomie a histologie fyziologie ultrastruktura MeSH
- larva anatomie a histologie fyziologie ultrastruktura MeSH
- listy rostlin parazitologie MeSH
- nosatcovití anatomie a histologie fyziologie ultrastruktura MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The mature larvae and pupae of Lixus (Ortholixus) bituberculatus Smreczyński, 1968 and Lixus (Dilixellus) neglectus Fremuth, 1983 (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Lixini) are described and compared with known larvae of 21 other Lixus and 2 Hypolixus taxa. The mature larva and pupa of Lixus bituberculatus are the first immature stages described representing the subgenus Ortholixus. The larva of Lixus neglectus, in the subgenus Dilixellus, is distinguished from the known larvae of four species in this subgenus by having more pigmented sclerites on the larval body. All descriptions of mature larvae from the tribe Lixini, as do all known species from the tribe Cleonini, fit the diagnosis of the mature larva of the Lixinae subfamily. Furthermore, new biological information of these species in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania is provided. For Lixus bituberculatus, a chicory, Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae), is identified as a host plant, and Lixus neglectus is found on dock Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh. (Polygonaceae). Both species are probably monophagous or oligophagous. Adults of Lixus bituberculatus often inhabit host plants growing in active, dry and sunny pastures with sparse patches without vegetation, being mostly active during the night in April/May and then again in September, when the highest activity levels are observed. Adults of Lixus neglectus inhabit dry grasslands on sandy soils with host plants, being active during the day from May to September, with the highest level of activity in May/June and September. The larvae of both species are borers in the stem and root of the host plant, and they pupate in root or root neck. Adults leave the pupation cells at the end of summer and do not hibernate in the host plants. Finally, Romania is a new geographic record for Lixus bituberculatus.
- Klíčová slova
- Central Europe, Cichorium intybus, Palaearctic region, Rumex thyrsiflorus, Weevil, host plant, larval development, life cycle, mature larva, pupa,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Last instar larva and pupa of Metadonus vuillefroyanus (Capiomont, 1868) (Curculionidae: Hyperini) are described and compared with known larvae of the other 43 hyperine taxa. The thorn-like setae located on distinct black protuberances on the larval body are characteristic features of the genus Metadonus and the subgenus Eririnomorphus of the genus Hypera. The biological singularity of this species was studied and described. The variable colouration of larvae has been confirmed in association with the variability of the host plant's colouration at the studied localities. This species' reported inability to spin cocoons has been disproven. A different type of cocoon with two layers, where the inner layer consists of proteins from Malpighian tubules while the outer layer contains soil particles, is described. This type of cocoon is unique compared with those known from other hyperines, which usually pupate on or above the ground and do not use substrate particles in building their cocoons.
- Klíčová slova
- Amaranthaceae, Palaearctic region, Spain, Suaeda vera, Weevil, host plant, larval development, life cycle, mature larva, pupa,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
