Morfologia preimmaginale in Cypha imitator (Luze) (Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aleocharinae)

Abstract

PREIMAGINAL MORPHOLOGY OF CYPHA IMITATOR (LUZE) (COLEOPTERA STAPHYLINIDAE ALEOCHARINAE)

Larvae of Cypha imitator were obtained by selecting plant debris in a garden in South Italy. Some of them were hold in laboratory conditions and pupated in a silky cocoon.

Diagnoses of the larvae (instars I-III) and pupa are given, together with some structural details of the VIII abdominal segment gland.

Larvae of Cypha imitator do agree with the generalized aleocharine type (according to NEWTON, 1990), as they exhibit: (i) a single couple of ocelli, (ii) very short urogonphi, (iii) the mentioned gland. Particular features of them are: (i) second antennal segment very long, (ii) sensory appendage of the same segment needle-shaped.

Key words: Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Cypha, larvae, pupa, cocoon.