DOI: 10.15468/pvt2sv
title: Descriptions of Larva and Pupa of Tomoxia lineella LeConte with Notes on Larval Habitat (Coleoptera: Mordellidae)

description: This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Lisberg, Anneke, Young, Daniel K. (2003): Descriptions of Larva and Pupa of Tomoxia lineella LeConte with Notes on Larval Habitat (Coleoptera: Mordellidae). The Coleopterists Bulletin 57 (3): 339-344, DOI: 10.1649/571, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/571AbstractThe mature larva and pupa of Tomoxia lineella LeConte are described and illustrated based on specimens collected and reared from a standing large-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata Michaux) in a northern-mixed forest element in south-central Wisconsin. Larvae were collected on 30 March 2001 and 23 April 2001 from tunnels approximately two cm under the bark in the wood of the south-facing side of the tree. Tomoxia lineella was previously unrecorded from Wisconsin.Mordellidae is a commonly encountered and speciose group with more than 1,500 species worldwide. In North America north of Mexico three tribes, 17 genera, and 203 species are known (Jackman and Lu 2002). Despite the relative abundance of the family, very few larvae have been described and keys to larvae are scarce. Keys to larvae of eight genera including Tomoxia have been published for the Palearctic Region (Odnosum 1992), however these descriptions are based on relatively few species (three Tomoxia) and do not include North American species. Larvae of seven species in Mordellistena were described from the Ukraine (Odnosum 1985, 1989) but none of these occur in North America north of Mexico (Bright 1986). Other species descriptions of mordellid larvae are generally brief or incomplete, often not illustrated and inadequate for comparison. Only one other species of Tomoxia, T. biguttata Gyllenhal has been formally described (Perris 1875). Descriptions of mordellid pupae are limited in both number and depth and none may be considered complete or adequate for comparison.Due to the paucity and adequacy of descriptions in the literature, especially concerning North American Mordellidae, there is a tremendous gap in our knowledge of the immature stages of mordellid species. Additionally, the correct association of many North American mordellid species into appropriate genera is still in considerable question (Jackman and Lu 2002), and knowledge from immature stages may eventually aid in developing a better understanding of the relationships within this family.Ecological data for Mordellidae are also sparse. Mordellid larvae are stem-borers, apparently feeding largely on herbaceous plant stems, shrub stems, and dead wood (Lawrence 1991). Plant associations for mordellid larvae have only recently begun to be recorded, records are few, and larvae have rarely been determined to species (Ford and Jackman 1996).Specimens and MethodsSpecimen Collection and Habitat. Five larvae used for the larval description and reared for identification were collected by D. K. Young on 30 March 2001 from a standing dead large-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata Michaux) located on a west-facing slope in a northern mixed forest element in south-central Wisconsin339(Sauk County: Hemlock Draw: 438219500N; 898569510W) NEW STATE RECORD. All larvae were located in tunnels within the wood of the south-facing side of the tree, approximately two cm under the bark. The wood was still fairly solid, requiring a hatchet to expose the larvae. The larva reared for pupal description was collected by A. E. Lisberg from the same tree on 23 April 2001. Adults were determined by A. E. Lisberg; all specimens are housed in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Insect Research Collection.Rearing. Three of the initial five larvae were placed in a covered petri dish along with woody substrate from the tree. The substrate was packed fairly tightly and a jar was placed on the lid to maintain a light pressure. The substrate was periodically moistened and the dish was kept at room temperature. Two larvae tunneled into the substrate but the third larva remained near the surface and died within two days. The first adult emerged 33 days later and the second was found fully developed but still in a tunnel within the substrate on the same day. The larva collected on 23 April 2001 was placed in a plastic, nine dram vial along with substrate from the tree. The larva tunneled into the substrate and back out, pupating on the floor of the container after one week. The pupa responded to touch by twisting its abdomen in a circular motion.Preparation. Two of the initial five larvae as well as the pupa were killed in nearboiling water and preserved in 80% EtOH.