Description of larva and pupa of Paracalais prosectus (Candèze) (Elateridae, Agrypninae, Hemirhipini)

Abstract

Larva and pupa of Paracalais pl'Osec/us (Candeze, 1857) from Eastern Australia are described and illustrated. Larvae were collected under bark of decayed log of Pinus ellio/i, together with Cerambycidae larva. Up to now, only the larva of Paracalis gibboni (Newman, 1857) was described. KEY WORDS. Immature stages, larva, Paracalais, pupa The genus Paracalais Neboiss, 1967, is formed by 21 Australian species. The adults are recognized especially by integument covered by dense whitish, yellowish or greyish scale-like setae intermingled by darker ones, pubescence of pronotum forming two small eye-like spots; third antennal segment transverse with spiniform appendix and 4th longer than two anterior together; third e1ytral interstice raised near base forming a dentiform tubercle. The unique larva described in the genus was Paracalis gibboni (Newman, 1857). FROGGAIT (1925) briefly described and illustrated the larva, pupa and adult of Paracalais prosectus (Candeze, 1857) emphasizing the habits of the larva and adult. In 1926 he presented the life history of this species. NEBOISS (1967) studied the material described by FROGGATT (1925) as P. prosectus and verified that the correct identification for that material was P. gibboni (Newman, 1857). Based on the adult illustration (FROGGATI 1925: fig. 6) we agree with the first. The description of larva and pupa of P. prosectus ar presented. Firstly the last larval exuvia (reared) and one larva are studied, both identified as P. prosectus, and after, one larva associate with two adults of this same species. The description and illustrations were based on the larva associate with the two adults, except those of antenna and maxillolabial complex, partially broken in the former. The unique pupa studied was identified based on the last larval exuvia. All material studied belongs to Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales,

Larvae of Alaus myops, A. oculatus, Chalcolepidius porcatus, Hemirhipus apicalis and generic larval characterization (Elateridae, Agrypninae, Hemirhipini)

“…The larva and pupa of P. prosectus (Candèze, 1857) were described and illustrated by CASARI & COSTA (1998 Larvae of Alaus are characterized especially by presence of dorsal epicranial ridge semicircular, irregular, strong and coarsely punctate innerly; each half of frons with 11 setae; frons with 3 setae on each side below nasal; nasal tridentate with teeth upwardly directed; postmentum constricted bearing 2 or 4 setae near base; dorsal tubercles of segment IX, irregularly disposed, except 2 distal on each side; apical slit of segment IX straight or widened and rounded at base.…”