Morphology of the immature stages and notes on biology ofPhilonthus nigrita (Gravenhorst, 1806) (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) a stenotopic species inhabitingSphagnum peatbogs

Abstract

The larvae (L1–3) of Philonthus nigrita (Gravenhorst, 1806) is described for the first time, with the illustrations of their structural features provided. The poorly known morphology of egg and pupa are supplemented by the new data. Morphological differences between the first (L1) and next (L2 and L3) larval instars covers: the chaetotaxy of head, profemur, protibia, tarsungulus, abdominal tergites, sternites and urogomphi; the structure of antenna, maxillae and urogomphi; the microstructure of the abdominal tergites, proportions, body colour and habitus. Diagnostic characters of egg and larva of Ph. nigrita species are listed. Some data on its distribution, environmental requirements and biology in the laboratory conditions are also provided. The combination of characters that distinguishes the larva (L3) of Ph. nigrita from the some other known larvae of the Central European Philonthus and Bisnius is presented. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)