Description of the Larva of Pseudocotalpa sonorica Hardy (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) with Notes on Life History

Larvae of the genus Pseudocotalpa Hardy, 1971 are described for the first time based on the larva of P. sonorica Hardy 1974. Characters used to separate Pseudocotalpa from similar genera are given. Life history observations of adults of P. sonorica are also given.

The genus Pseudocotalpa described by Hardy, 1971, now consists of three species: Pseudocotalpa andrewsi Hardy, 1971; Pseudocotalpa giulianii Hardy, 1974; and Pseudocotalpa sonorica Hardy, 1974. This genus is strongly associated with sand dunes of the southwest deserts. The only previous mention of Pseudocotalpa larva in the literature was that of Rust (1985) on P. giulianii.

Rust also gives detailed description of life history habits. The life history of P. andrewsi was discussed by Hardy and Andrews (1986). Ritcher (1966) described the larvae of genera closely related to Pseudocotalpa.

Material and Methods