Eleodes Eschscholtz, 1829

Smith, Aaron D., Dornburg, Rebecca & Wheeler, Quentin D., 2014, Larvae of the genus Eleodes (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae): matrix-based descriptions, cladistic analysis, and key to late instars, ZooKeys 415, pp. 217-268 : 221-222

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.415.5887
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:287A4DC8-0EFC-42C6-AA55-DBB4D7A3441B
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/766C58B0-7804-214F-DC44-900FB9E4F846
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Eleodes Eschscholtz, 1829
status

Treatment

Material examined.

Over 1,400 larval Eleodes specimens were examined for this study from 14 Eleodes species. In addition, historical descriptions and Eleodes specimens for which the species could not be confirmed due to a lack of positive association between adults and larvae also conform to the generic description provided.

Description.

Integument strongly sclerotized, light tan to nearly black in color; setose, with hair-like setae throughout and spinose setae on legs and abdominal tergite IX. Thoracic and abdominal segments subcylindrical, surface coriaceous ( Figs 2A-D View Figure 2 , 3A-D View Figure 3 , 4A-C View Figure 4 , 5A-C View Figure 5 , 6A-C View Figure 6 ).

Head. Prognathous or slightly declined ( Fig. 7A-C View Figure 7 ), weakly dorsoventrally flattened, strongly constricted before occipital foramen. Epicranial stem one-fourth to one third head capsule length; frontal arms U-shaped or sinuate, occasionally obscured by sculpturing. Frons and dorsal portion of epicranial plates weakly to moderately rugose; punctate, punctures minute, lacking setae. Ventrolateral portions of epicranial plates setose; setae golden, erect; two stemmata present on each plate, pigmented spots often faded. Clypeus trapezoidal, often weakly transversely raised medially. Labrum with two transverse rows of six to fourteen erect setae present medially and subapically; anterior margin straight or weakly emarginate. Epipharynx ( Figs 8 View Figure 8 , 9A-D View Figure 9 , 10A-D View Figure 10 ) with stout spiniform setae along anterior margin, an anterior cluster of four to six variably arranged spinules, a subanterior transverse row of four small spinules subtended by two spinose setae and posterior cluster of six to eight small spinules; tormae symmetrical or asymmetrical. Mandible apex bidentate, mola concave. Ligula small, setation variable ( Fig. 11A-C View Figure 11 ). Hypopharyngeal sclerome pentagonal or trapezoidal ( Fig. 12A-B View Figure 12 ). Gula distinct, trapezoidal, widest in basal half. Antenna three segmented, cylindrical.

Thorax. Prothoracic tergum 1.2 × or more length of meso- or metaterga ( Figs 2A-D View Figure 2 , 3A-D View Figure 3 ); anterior transverse striated band present, generally darker than protergal disc; lateral margins with granulated band either distinct or barely visible ( Fig. 7A-C View Figure 7 ). Posterior transverse striated band present on all thoracic tergites. Meso- and metathoracic tergites wider than long. Mesothoracic spiracle simple, ovate, approximately 1.5 × size of abdominal spiracles; reduced metathoracic spiracle visible, less than one-fourth size of mesothoracic spiracle. Legs. Prothoracic leg slightly longer, much thicker than meso- and metathoracic legs; prothoracic tarsungulus strongly sclerotized, sickle-shaped; dorsal surface of prothoracic femur with faintly indicated basal sclerotized band; dorsal surface of prothoracic tibia slightly more sclerotized than ventral surface.

Abdomen. Abdominal tergites and sternites I-VIII with transverse striated bands present along posterior margins. Abdominal sternite I setose ( Fig. 13A-B View Figure 13 ). Abdominal segment IX (pygidium) triangular in dorsal view, gradually reflexed to apex, urogomphi absent, apical tooth present or absent ( Fig. 14A-B View Figure 14 ); marginal row of socketed spines present around posterior two-thirds to one half of segment. Abdominal segment X located ventrally; pygopods short, subconical, each with erect setae.

Variation.

Eleodes larvae can vary greatly in pigmentation, size, number of spines on the legs and pygidium, and the overall degree of sclerotization. Characters in the matrix relating to general integument coloration (6, 24, 45, 46, 47, 69) can vary greatly between specimens depending on age of specimen, length of time since last instar, and preservation method. There may also be genetic variation, though specimens from our populations were generally homogeneous.

Diagnosis.

All known Eleodes larvae share the following combination of characters: head capsule weakly dorsoventrally flattened, strongly constricted before occipital foramen; prothoracic tergum 1.2 × or more length of meso- or metaterga, anterior transverse striated band present, lateral margins with granulated band either distinct or barely visible; prothoracic leg slightly longer and much thicker than meso- and metathoracic legs; 8-38 socketed spines on the pygidial margin, pygopods short, subconical, each with erect setae. However, the known Eleodes larvae cannot yet be separated from other Amphidorini larvae due to a lack of specimens.