Larval Morphological Adaptations of Leiodes cinnamomea (Panzer, 1793) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Leiodinae)—Obligatory Feeder of Tuber Species

Aleksandra Kilian; Marcin Kadej; Jonathan Cooter; Deborah J. Harvey

doi:10.3390/insects13030249

Insects (Feb 2022)

Larval Morphological Adaptations of Leiodes cinnamomea (Panzer, 1793) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Leiodinae)—Obligatory Feeder of Tuber Species

Aleksandra Kilian,
Marcin Kadej,
Jonathan Cooter,
Deborah J. Harvey

Affiliations

Aleksandra Kilian: Department of Biology, Evolution and Conservation of Invertebrates, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
Marcin Kadej: Department of Biology, Evolution and Conservation of Invertebrates, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
Jonathan Cooter: Hope Entomological Collections, Department of Life Sciences, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK
Deborah J. Harvey: Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13030249
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 3
p. 249

Abstract

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Detailed redescription of morphology for three larval instars of truffle-feeder Leiodes cinnamomea, documented on scanning micrographs and illustrations, is provided. Systematic context, observations on biology and unique characteristics of larvae of the only well-described representative of Leiodini are discussed. Exoskeletal invaginations (pseudomycangia), granulation on the head and the median longitudinal row of sclerotized plates on tergites VII–IX—the unique structures among leiodid larvae—were confirmed, described and documented. A mosaic strategy for beetles living in ephemeral and in solid fungi is discussed.

Published in Insects

ISSN: 2075-4450 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects/

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