The Genus Urodontidius Louw (Anthribidae: Urodontinae) Rediscovered and Its Biological Secrets Revealed: A Tribute to Schalk Louw (1952–2018)

• Main Authors: Rolf G. Oberprieler, Clarke H. Scholtz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
• Series: Diversity
• Subjects: Urodontinae; Urodontidius; genitalia; larva; life history; galling habit; silk production
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/10/3/92

The paper records the rediscovery of the rare Urodontidius enigmaticus Louw, 1993 in South Africa, based on specimens reared from galls in the succulent leaves of Ruschia versicolor. The original account of some of the morphological characters of the species is corrected, and its habitus, antennae, pygidium and genitalia are illustrated. Its life history and galling habit on its host plant are described and illustrated, and its larva is compared with those of the genera Urodontellus Louw and Urodontus Louw, which represent different larval types with different life histories. The silk-spinning habits of the Urodontellus larva are briefly described. A tribute to the late Schalk Louw is presented, together with a list of his publications on weevils.