The morphology of immature stages of Plinthus caucasicus (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae)

Abstract

The descriptions of a mature larva and pupa of the endemic Caucasian weevil Plinthus caucasicus (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875) are given. The species is distributed in subalpine and alpine levels of the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus (Inner Dagestan in Russia, northeast Georgia and northwest Azerbaijan). Mature larvae and pupae of this species were collected in the rhizome of Rumex alpinus L. in anthropogenic areas near Genukh Pass of Bogos Range. Adults (four specimens) were collected on stems and leaves of the same plant. The material is deposited in the collection of the author. Chaetotaxy of larvae and pupae is described and illustrated using terms of B.M. May, published in 1977. This is the second Caucasian species (after Plinthus alternans Reitter, 1888) of the large genus Plinthus Germar, 1817 with described immature stages.

Keywords

• coleoptera
• curculionidae
• molytinae
• plinthus caucasicus
• larva
• pupa
• morphology
• host plants