Abstract
Immature stages of Scaptodera rhadamistus (Fabricius) are described for the first time along with notes on nidification and biology. The larvae differ from other Scarabaeinae species in the structure of raster on tenth sternum with two irregular bunches of serrations ventrally one on either half. Pupae with pronotum transverse having rounded margins resemble adults, and consist of four lateral, single caudal and single pteronotal support projection. Adult males and females differ in coloration, structure of pronotum, presence of spine like process on mesosternum and, in the structure of male and female genitalia.
Highlights
Beetles belonging to family Scarabaeidae are commonly called as ‘Scarabs’ and their larvae are known as white grubs. Arrow (1931) provided detailed account of Indian Scarabaeidae
The objective of this study is to present an account of larval morphology and nest-building behavior of S. rhadamistus, a commonly found scarab in central Indian region, based on a study conducted in and around Nagpur-Wardha forest areas
Fully grown III instar larvae of S. rhadamistus can be characterized by the presence of a prominent hump in the middle of body, two segmented legs, and raster on 10th sternum with two irregular bunches of serrations ventrally one on either half distinct from ovate fields of stout setae
Summary
Beetles belonging to family Scarabaeidae are commonly called as ‘Scarabs’ and their larvae are known as white grubs. Arrow (1931) provided detailed account of Indian Scarabaeidae. Arrow (1931) provided detailed account of Indian Scarabaeidae. Much of the literature available relating to scarab beetles are on adult taxonomy. Information regarding their immature forms and nest-building behaviour is deficient (Ritcher 1966; Veeresh 1980; Sreedevi & Tyagi 2014). Studies on natural history of dung beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae lack the information on S. rhadamistus (Halffter & Matthews 1966). The objective of this study is to present an account of larval morphology and nest-building behavior of S. rhadamistus, a commonly found scarab in central Indian region, based on a study conducted in and around Nagpur-Wardha forest areas
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