Phyllophaga glaberrima (Blanchard) (Scarabaeidae)

Ferreira, Raul N., 2011, Three anomalies of Coleoptera (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, and Scarabaeidae) from Connecticut, Insecta Mundi 2011 (169), pp. 1-3 : 2

Phyllophaga glaberrima (Blanchard) (Scarabaeidae)

Figure 3

This specimen of Phyllophaga glaberrima (Blanchard) ( Scarabaeidae , Melolonthinae, Melolonthini) was collected in Connecticut, New London Co., Pawcatuck, between a pile of oak leaves against a shed on VII-5-1975. The specimen shows on the right side a trifurcation on the middle leg ( Fig. 3B, 3C ). The schistomely of the middle right leg presents a longer and wider femur which trifurcates into reduced tibiae ( Fig. 3B ), when compared with the normal one ( Fig. 3A ). The anterior tibia and the 5 tarsomeres of the abnormal leg are about half the size the normal tibia. The central tibia and the 5 tarsomeres are more reduced than the anterior abnormal. The posterior abnormal tibia is much more reduced as well as the 5 tarsomeres, when compared with the middle abnormal one and is curved towards the body of the insect. The cause of this monstrosity is unknown. Kamal et al. (2008) suggested that possible factors in anomalies may include acid rain and atmospheric nitrogen deposition. To these we can add the possibility of hereditary or mechanical factors during metamorphosis.

Figures

Figure 1-3. Beetle anomalies. 1) Carabus nemoralis Muller. Drawing of maxillary palpus; a) Normal; b) Abnormal; c) Dorsal view of habitus. 2) Oxyporus rufipennis LeConte. Drawing of antennas; a) Normal; b) Abnormal; c) Dorsal view of head. 3) Phyllophaga glaberrima (Blanchard). Ventral drawing of middle legs; a) Normal; b) Abnormal; c) Dorsal view of habitus.