DESCRIPTION OF IMMATURE STAGES OF POLYMERIUS CHILENSIS (LAPORTE, 1 8 3 4 ) (COLEOPTERA: RHIPICERIDAE)

Abstract

Through the study of exuviae, the last instar larva and some characters of the pupa of Polymerius
chilensis (Laporte, 1834) (Coleóptera: Dascilloidea: Rhipiceridae) are described. The larva has a three
segmented antenna, a subantennal protuberance, maxillary cardines well developed, three segmented
maxillary palpi, two segmented labial palpi, one seta on tarsungulus and lacks urogomphi and the eighth
pair of abdominal spiraculae. The pupa is characterized by dorsal and ventral tubercles of the ninth
abdominal segment and a marginal ridge in the seventh abdominal ventrite. The exuviae were found
within a subterranean chamber together with a female imago of Polymerius chilensis and a cicada nymph
remains, verifying the parasitic condition of the larvae of Rhipiceridae.