Description of the larva of Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch, 1873), the first known species with bioluminescent immatures in Euplinthini (Elateridae, Agrypninae)

Mature larva of Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch) is described and compared to known Pyrophorini immatures. Larvae were collected live in the soil of a region dominated by sugarcane plantation and gallery forest in Campo Novo dos Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. They were maintained in laboratory and the pu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Simone Policena Rosa, Cleide Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2013-01-01
Series:Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0031-10492013002200001&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Mature larva of Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch) is described and compared to known Pyrophorini immatures. Larvae were collected live in the soil of a region dominated by sugarcane plantation and gallery forest in Campo Novo dos Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. They were maintained in laboratory and the pupal period lasted 14 days. This larva differs from other Pyrophorini larvae mainly by bioluminescent pattern: one pair of luminous spots on the mesonotum, and a longitudinal series of median spots on the metanotum and all abdominal segments. The morphology of larva and the bioluminescent pattern of larva and pupa are described for the first time to the genus and the tribe. The fact that adults show no trace of luminescence is emphasized.
ISSN:1807-0205