Description of the Larvae ofPhytholaema herrmanniGermain andPhytholaema dilutipes(Fairmaire and Germain) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The third instar of Phytholaema herrmanni Germain and Phytholaema dilutipes (Fairmaire and Germain) (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) are described and illustrated. The larvae were reared under laboratory conditions from eggs laid by adults and larvae collected from pasture soil. This is the first description of larvae of the genus Phytholaema Blanchard. The larvae of both species have a vestigial sclerotized structure on the pleura of A9 and many other similar characteristics. The similar size of abdominal spiracles A6 and A8 in P. dilutipes is key to differentiating it from P. herrmanni, which has spiracle A8 smaller than spiracle A6.