Descriptions of immature stages of four species of the genera Graptus, Peritelus, Philopedon, and Tanymecus and larval instar determination in Tanymecus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae)

• Main Authors: Rafał Gosik, Peter Sprick, Michael G. Morris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2019-01-01
• Series: ZooKeys
• Online Access: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/30336/

The mature larva and pupa of Graptus triguttatus triguttatus and the mature larva of Peritelus sphaeroides are described for the first time. The larvae of Philopedon plagiatum and Tanymecus palliatus are re-described. Five larval instars were determined in Tanymecus, thereby correcting doubtful data in the literature. The relationship between larval growth, number of larval instars, head width of the mature larva, and the adult weevil is explained using the example of Tanymecus. The nearly constant ratio of subsequent larval instars in head width ratio, termed “growth factor” and derived from Dyar’s ratio, is used for the determination of larval instars. Larval collecting and breeding data are discussed in relation to their significance for the clarification of life-cycles.