Immature stages of Taenioderini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae): a report of hidden morphological diversity
Abstract
Here we present the first observations on the immature stages of the cetoniid tribe Taenioderini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The larvae of Chalcothea neglecta Ritsema, 1882, Coilodera diardi (Gory & Percheron, 1833), C. penicillata Hope, 1831, Euselates cineraceus (Gory & Percheron, 1833), E. laoticus Miksic, 1974, Meroloba suturalis (Snellen van Vollenhoven, 1858), Plectrone tristis (Westwood, 1842) and an undetermined species belonging to Taeniodera idolica Janson, 1909 species group are described and illustrated, their morphology is compared with the immature stages of the other Cetoniinae.
Brief observations on biology and ecology are given. Larvae of Taenioderini show a remarkable morphological diversity.
An intra-generic variability in the body pilosity, presence and development of various structures (e.g. the palidium of raster) is documented. Larvae of Taenioderini are morphologically highly variable, as compared to other all Cetoniinae tribes.