The morphology of the preimaginal stages of Cleopomiarusmicros (Germar, 1821) (Curculionidae, Coleoptera) and notes on its biology

Zookeys. 2018 Nov 21:(798):45-62. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.798.27173. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

As yet little is known of the bionomics of weevils of the genus Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919; current knowledge is limited to data on the morphology and biology of the preimaginal stages of certain species. This paper includes original information on the life cycle of Cleopomiarusmicros (Germar, 1821). It presents the morphology of the egg, last larva (L3) and pupa. Data on the host plant (Jasionemontana L.) and breeding plant (Campanulapatula L.) and on the oviposition and phenology of the species are updated. The anatomy of the third-stage larva of C.micros shares certain traits with other species of the tribe Mecinini Gistel, 1848. Comparison of the morphology of preimaginal stages of C.micros with those previously described for other species of the genera Cleopomiarus and Miarus Schönherr, 1826 - previously considered the same genus - reveals species differences in larval body length, colour of the body and epicranium, and chaetotaxy of head and body.

Keywords: Mecinini; Central Europe; developmental stage; host plant; mature larva; oligophagy; pupal stage.