Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 38(2) 1995

Issue:

VOL 38(2) 1995

Keywords:

Scarabaeoidea, Aphodiinae, larva, description, mediterranean ecosystem, Iberian Peninsula

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Life history and description of the larval stage of Aphodius lusitanicus Erichson, 1848 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Aphodiinae)

• José Ramón VERDÜ
• Eduardo GALANTE

Abstract:

The larvae of Aphodius lusitanicus Erichson, an endemic Iberian species are described and illustrated. The life history of this species was studied on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula in 1993 and 1994. A. lusitanicus was reared from adult to larvae and to adult in an environmental chamber of the laboratory at 22:16C (Light:Dark), relative humidity 80% and photoperiod of 16:8 hours (Light:Dark). Adult activity began in late winter, lasting till early summer and a new period of activity including mating and oviposition was observed in autumn. The description of A. lusitanicus kleptoparasitizing a nest of geotrupid Thorectes valencianus Baraud, is for the first time offered for this species.