Strategus species

Moreno, Jhon César Neita & Ratcliffe, Brett C., 2009, Description of the adult female, larva, pupa, and distribution of Strategus fascinusBurmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Oryctini), The Coleopterists Bulletin 63 (3), pp. 367-379 : 377

Key to the known larvae of Strategus species

(modified from Morón and Ratcliffe 1990)

1. Bulla of spiracles with a raised, knob-like or hemispherical process........ 2

1 9. Bulla of spiracles convex but lacking a knob-like or hemispherical process... 8

2. Dorsum of each mandible with 4–7 dorsomolar setae....................... 5

2 9. Dorsum of each mandible with 8 or more dorsomolar setae................ 3

3. Last antennal segment with 9 dorsal sensory spots. Maxilla with 8 truncate, stridulatory teeth. Dorsum of each mandible with less than 19 dorsomolar setae................................................................ 4

3 9. Last antennal segment with 11–12 dorsal sensory spots. Maxilla with 9 truncate, stridulatory teeth. Dorsum of each mandible with 19–21 dorsomolar setae.................................................. S. aloeus (L.)

4. Frons with 10 dorsoepicranial setae................... S. jugurtha Burmeister

4 9. Frons with 3 dorsoepicranial setae..................... S. fascinus Burmeister

5. Dorsum of abdominal segments 8–9 with numerous slender setae posteriorly........................................................................ 6

5 9. Dorsum of abdominal segments 8–9 with only sparse, slender setae posteriorly................................................. S. syphax (Fabricius)

6. Frons with anterior frontal setae............................................... 7

6 9. Frons without anterior frontal setae......... S. surinamensis hirtus Sternberg

7. Last antennal segment with 7–14 dorsal sensory spots. Respiratory plate of spiracles with ends of plate not touching one another......................................................................... S. longichomperus Ratcliffe

7 9. Last antennal segment with 15 dorsal sensory spots. Respiratory plate of spiracles with ends of plate touching one another.... S. mormon Burmeister

8. Last antennal segment with 6 dorsal sensory spots. Claws of legs short................................................ S. splendens (Palisot de Beauvois)

8 9. Last antennal segment with 12 or more dorsal sensory spots. Claws of legs long, curved.................................................. S. antaeus (Drury)