The immature stages of the following five Palaearctic Gymnetron species are described for the first time: G.tibiellum Desbrochers des Loges, 1900, G.veronicae (Germar, 1821), G.rotundicolle Gyllenhal, 1838, G.melanarium (Germar, 1821), and G.villosulum Gyllenhal, 1838. These species belong to four different groups previously established according to a phylogenetic analysis: the first two belong to the G.veronicae group and the other three to groups respectively bearing their name (G.rotundicolle, G.melanarium, and G.villosulum groups). All these species exhibit several diagnostic characters distinguishing them from each other. Some characters that can be used to separate Gymnetron from other genera in the tribe are also suggested. Three highly significant characters for the larvae and three for the pupae were identified. For the larvae they are: (1) labial palpi with single palpomeres, (2) all spiracles unicameral, and (3) epipharynx with a single pair of mes or none at all. For the pupae they are: (1) the pronotum with prominent pronotal protuberances, (2) abdominal segment VIII with a conical abdominal protuberance dorsally, and (3) very short or even reduced urogomphi. The species studied here are compared with those Gymnetron species already known and with other genera in the tribe Mecinini. Keys to the larvae and pupae described here are provided. All the characters used for identification are illustrated by photographs or drawings.

• Keywords
• Biology, Mecinini, mature larva, morphology, pupa, taxonomy, weevils,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review 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.

• Keywords
• Mecinini, Mecinus, biology, mature larva, morphology, pupa, taxonomy,
• Publication type
• Journal Article 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.

• Keywords
• Cleonis, Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae, biology, host plant, larva, life history, morphology, pupa,
• Publication type
• Journal Article 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.

• Keywords
• Cleopomiarus, Mecinini, Miarus, biology, distribution, mature larva, morphology, pupa,
• Publication type
• Journal Article 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.

• Keywords
• Asteraceae, Echinops, Palaearctic Region, eastern Europe, host plant, larva, larval development, life history, morphology, pupa, weevil,
• Publication type
• Journal Article 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 parasitology   MeSH
• Feces MeSH
• Adaptation, Physiological * MeSH
• Pupa anatomy & histology   physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Larva anatomy & histology   physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Plant Leaves parasitology   MeSH
• Weevils anatomy & histology   physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic 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.

• Keywords
• Central Europe, Cichorium intybus, Palaearctic region, Rumex thyrsiflorus, Weevil, host plant, larval development, life cycle, mature larva, pupa,
• Publication type
• Journal Article 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.

• Keywords
• Amaranthaceae, Palaearctic region, Spain, Suaeda vera, Weevil, host plant, larval development, life cycle, mature larva, pupa,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH