Entomology, Department of
ORCID IDs
MARIO G. IBARRA-POLESEL https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3211-4438
JHON C. NEITA-MORENO https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2998-2063
BRETT C. RATCLIFFE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0589-8791
Date of this Version
2020
Citation
An Acad Bras Cienc (2020) 92(3): e20190967
DOI 10.1590/0001-3765202020190967
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências /| Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Abstract
The enigmatic genus Stenocrates Burmeister has 52 species that are widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina, but mainly in South America. In the present study, the larva of the third instar and pupa of Stenocrates agricola Dechambre & Hardy, 2004 are described and illustrated based on specimens from Argentina, this being the first description of immatures for the genus. The adult is also redescribed, significantly expanding the number of characters and providing information on the natural history of this species. In addition, 28 species of Cyclocephalini and 20 species of Pentodontini are morphologically compared, emphasizing the most useful larval characters used among these beetles. Stenocrates agricola shows frequent and common characters of Pentodontini species but scarce (and even absent) characters typical of Cyclocephalini species, including some considered diagnostic for this tribe. Accordingly we consider that the tribal position of Stenocrates remains controversial and more study is needed to clarify the tribal status of Stenocrates. We believe that larval morphology provides important information in systematics studies that can clarify tribal relationships within the Dynastinae.
Comments
CC-BY