Review of larval morphology of beetles of the suborder Archostemata (Insecta: Coleoptera), including first-instar chaetotaxy

Abstract

This paper presents a synthesis of morphological information on larvae of the beetle suborder Archostemata. Larvae of the following families and species were studied: Ommatidae: Omma sp.; Micromalthidae: Micromalthus debilis LeConte, 1878; Cupedidae: Priacma serrata LeConte, 1861, Distocupes varians (Lea, 1902), Rhipsideigma raffrayi (Fairmaire, 1884), Tenomerga cinerea (Say, 1831) and Tenomerga mucida (Chevrolat, 1829). Morphological characters of the suborder and three families are described. Monophyly of the suborder is strongly supported by more than 10 larval autapomorphies. A close relationship between Micromalthidae and Cupedidae is confirmed. New larval characters are introduced, including chaetotaxy of first instar larvae of Micromalthus LeConte, 1878, Priacma LeConte, 1874 and Distocupes Neboiss, 1984. An identification key to families and subfamilies of Archostematan larvae is provided, along with a checklist of extant Archostemata taxa. The work is illustrated with 120 morphological drawings.

Keywords

• distocupes
• tenomerga
• rhipsideigma
• priacma
• omma
• micromalthus
• cupedidae
• micromalthidae
• ommatidae
• archostemata
• coleoptera
• larvae
• morphology
• chaetotaxy
• phylogeny