Larva and pupa of Megatoma (s. str.) undata (Linnaeus, 1758) with remarks on biology and economic importance (Coleoptera, Dermestidae)

Abstract

An updated description of the final larval instar and pupa of Megatoma (s. str.) undata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. Several morphological characteristics of M. undata larvae are documented and discussed: antenna, epipharynx, mandibula, maxilla, ligula with labial palpi, hastisetae, terga, and condition of the antecostal suture. The paper is fully illustrated and includes some important additions to extend notes on this species available in the references. Summarised data about biology, economic importance, and distribution of M. undata are also provided.

Larva and pupa of Ctesias (s. str.) serra (Fabricius, 1792) with remarks on biology and economic importance, and larval comparison of co-occurring genera (Coleoptera, Dermestidae)

“…The part of the dorsum that remains exposed is usually covered in long, soft or stiff hairs. The same can be seen on the dorsal side of the pupae of Megatoma undata (Linnaeus, 1758) shown by Kadej (2017, p. 65). Long hairs have not been observed on the dorsum of C. serra but these could have been lost before exanination of material.…”

“…The current work is a continuation of the previous articles devoted to study the morphology of the immature stages of Dermestidae (Beal and Kadej 2008, Kadej 2012a, b, c, Kadej and Jaroszewicz 2013, Kadej et al 2013a, b, Kadej and Guziak 2017a, b, Kadej 2017, Kadej et al 2017). …”

“…Kiselyova and McHugh’s analysis demonstrates how useful pupal characteristics can be in the investigation of phylogenetic relationships between genera. The need for further research is also justified by the example of the recently described pupae of M. undata (Kadej 2017). The pupae here do not have either urogomphi or processes, although as in C. serra , this species is classified within the Megatomini Leach, 1815.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae (v0.2)"

“…These hairs, located on the dorso-lateral surface of the tergites of larvae and pupae ( Fig. 1) (Rees, 1943;Beal, 1960;Kiselyova and McHugh, 2006;Kadej, 2012a, Kadej, 2012b; Kadej and Guziak 2017;Kadej 2017;2018a, b), are generally quite small with an estimated length, according to the literature, between 150 and 900 μm. Density and distribution of the hastisetae vary substantially not only among genera and species but also among tergites of the same species.…”

“…Ctesias) or V-VII (i.e. Anthrenus) (Mroczkowski, 1975;Kadej 2017;2018a, b). The hastisetae are inserted in setal sockets on the integument and are connected to the tormogen cell trough the pedicel (Elbert, 1978).…”