DESCRIPTION OF IMMATURES OF PHILONTHUS QUADRATICEPS BOHEMAN AND P.PAUXILLUS SOLSKY (COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE)

CHANI POSSE, M. R.

Foz de Iguazú, Brasil

Congreso; XXI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY (XXIICE); 2000

Sociedade Entomologica do Brasil - Embrapa

The immature stages of the species of Philonthus belong to those among Staphylinidae that were discovered very early but their knowledge still lags greatly behind that of the adults, particularly in the tropics where scores of species still remain undescribed. A further limitation to studies of immatures belonging to New World Philonthus species has been the lack of a consistent reference framework within which to compare structural features among superficially similar larvae. Previous studies for the New World of immatures belonging to this genus did not provide much detailed description. In the present work additional study of immatures for the genus is provided based on the description of Philonthus quadraticeps and P. pauxillus. Objectives were to develop a comparative system that illustrates the diversity of characteristics in chaetotaxy, antennal structures and other features in order to represent a comprehensive base for study of immatures in the genus. Both adults and immatures of these New World species are frequently found in cow dung. Larval rearing techniques are described and morphological data of third instar larva and pupa of Philonthus quadraticeps and P. pauxillus are described for the first time. Illustrations of structural feartures are provided. Index terms: Philonthus, New World, larva, pupa, morphology