Cosmodela batesi (Fleutiaux, 1893)

Putchkov, Alexander, Wu, I-Hsin & Lee, Chi-Feng, 1893, Larval Description of the Tiger BeetleCosmodela batesi (Fleutiaux, 1893) (Carabidae: Cicindelinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 62 (2), pp. 197-201 : 197-201

Cosmodela batesi (Fleutiaux, 1893)

Third instar. Measurements: FL 5 2.10–2.45 mm; FW 5 2.00– 2.24 mm; FWM 5 3.80–4.20 mm; PNL 5 2.30–2.60 mm; PNW 5 3.95–4.45 mm.

Head above dark brown (sometimes almost black) with faint luster (sometimes greenish), below light brown. Appendages of head brown with, but apical region of mandibles darkened. Maximum width of head on level of stemma I. Nasale wide and trapezoidal or slightly rounded at apex, with small longitudinal grooves at base. Lateral lobes small, lateral plates below lateral lobes widened, almost rectangular. Disk of clypeus almost smooth. Setae thin, long and acute on apexes (but some of them near stemmata I and II slightly obtuse). Most setae reddishtransparent. First antennomere with 5–6 long setae, second antennomere with 8– 10 long setae ( Fig 3 ). Antennae relatively thin, width ratio of antennomeres (starting with the first) 2.8:2.3:1.1:1.0; ratio of length 1.4:1.7:1.2:1.0. Galea distinctly longer than maxillary palpus ( Fig 4 ). Maxillae relatively slender, stipes with 1 bristle on internal margin base and almost equal in length to galea ( Fig. 4 ). First labial palpomere with three shortened spine-liked projections and three long lateral setae. Second labial palpomore slightly longer than first and with one seta slightly below middle. Epicranial suture distinct, longer than diameter of fourth antennomere.

Pronotum dark brown with anterolateral angles and narrow lateral margins brown. Anterolateral angles of pronotum wide and with slightly acute apices; swellings of anterolateral angles and callous elevations of pronotum distinct ( Fig. 1 ). Setae thin, brown. Pronotum with 8–10 setae on each side excluding marginal setae, swelling of anterolateral angles with 2–3 setae ( Fig. 1 ). Legs brown above and habitually similar to those of other Cicindelini larvae.

Sclerotized areas of abdomen distinct. Third abdominal tergite oval and with 12–15 setae. Hypopleuron consisting of one large sclerites and 3–4 small ones (type I). Caudal and apical sclerites of fifth abdominal tergites (hump) relatively semicircular and almost jointed on external margin ( Fig. 5 ); lateral sclerite with 6–7 long setae; caudal sclerite with 22–26 stout setae (similar to those of inner hook) and with some thin small setae on posterior margin ( Fig. 5 ); medial hook with three (rarely with a 4th additional seta near base) long setae but upper seta slightly displaced and directed nearly upward ( Fig. 5 ), 4.0 times longer than wide; inner hook directed up, central spine of inner hook 0.6 times as long as lateral setae ( Fig. 5 ); inner hook 0.4 times as long as medial hook, 2.0 times longer than wide. Apical part of ninth abdominal tergite with six setae (four on middle shorter) ( Fig. 7 ). Apical part of ninth abdominal sternite with two groups of four setae each ( Fig 8 ). Pygopod with 26–28 setae dorsally and 12–14 thin setae ventrally; apex with 18–20 stout, long setae ( Fig. 8 ).

Second instar. Measurements: FL 5 1.25–1.45 mm; FW 5 1.10–1.32 mm; FWM 5 2.30–2.55 mm; PNL 5 1.45–1.55 mm; PNW 5 2.40–2.65 mm

Head above brown or dark brown, darkened surrounding stemmata I and II (head below light brown). Antennae and apical parts of mandibles brown, other appendages light brown. Setae thin, acute (only some setae near stemmata I and II obtuse). Most setae reddish transparent, but those on appendages brown. Nasale transverse, apex slightly rounded. First antennomere with five long setae 200 and second antennomere with 6–7 long setae. Galea longer than maxillary palpus. Apex of first labial palpomere with two long lateral setae and three spine-like projections; second labial palpomere with one seta below middle. Epicranial suture distinct.

Pronotum dark brown with anterolateral angles brown, anterolateral angles slightly rounded and directed forward; setae brown or light brown, thin, some of them (primary) obtuse, others acute; marginal setae reddish-transparent; pronotum with 8–10 on setae each side excluding marginal setae; swellings of anterolateral angles with 1–2 setae. Legs brown above, but light brown below.

Sclerotized areas of abdomen distinct, light brown. Third abdominal tergite with 7–8 setae. Sclerites of hump divided, not jointed; medial hook 3.0 times longer than wide, with two setae on middle slightly displaced; inner hook 0.4 times as long as medial hook; central spine of inner hook 0.6 times as long as lateral setae; caudal sclerite with 18–20 stout setae and 6–7 small setae on posterior margin; lateral sclerite with four long setae. Apical part of ninth abdominal tergite with six setae (four of them on middle shorter and 0.3 times as long as lateral setae). Apical part of ninth abdominal sternite with two groups of four setae. Pygopod with 24–26 setae dorsally and six to seven smaller setae ventrally; apex with 17–19 setae.

First instar. Measurements: FL 5 0.83–0.95 mm; FW 5 0.72–0.80 mm; FWM 5 1.40–1.50 mm; PNL 5 0.87–0.90 mm; PNW 5 1.35–1.43 mm.

Head brown, but darkened near stemmata I and II. Antennae and apical part of mandibles brown. Other appendages light brown. Setae reddish-transparent, long and obtuse. First antennomere bare, second and third with two setae apically. Galea slightly longer than maxillary palpus. First labial palpomere with three spine-like projections, second palpomere with one seta distinctly below middle (rarely almost near base).

Pronotum brown with anterolateral angles light brown; anterior margin straight ( Fig. 2 ); swellings of anterolateral angles and callous elevations of pronotum distinct; setae on anterior margin and inside pronotum obtuse; other marginal setae acute. Pronotum with five to six setae on each side excluding marginal setae ( Fig. 2 ). Legs light brown above.

Sclerotized areas of abdomen slightly chitinized and pale brown. Third abdominal tergite with three setae. Medial hook distinctly curved after middle ( Fig. 6 ), with one seta on middle; inner hook 0.6 times as long as medial hook; central spine of inner hook large; caudal sclerite bare; lateral sclerite with one long seta; apical sclerite with four setae ( Fig. 6 ). Apical part of ninth abdominal sternite with two groups of three setae on posterior margin ( Fig. 10 ). Pygopod with eight setae dorsally and bare ventrally; apex with 12 setae slightly displaced ( Fig. 9, 10 ).

Ecology. Cosmodela batesi is a common species in Taiwan. Adults and larvae inhabit roads, trails, and forest openings

Comparative notes. The larva of C. batesi appears to be a typical representative of the subtribe Cicindelina . The instars of Cosmodela are comparatively more similar to members of the known Palearctic genera Lophyridia and Lophyra and than those of Cicindela with similar chaetotaxy of appendages of head (antennal segments, labium, maxillae), form of medial hook, number of setae on caudal and sclerites of fifth abdominal tergites and pygopod. Some differences between larvae of Cosmodela and Lophyridia exist in the length of the inner hook (especially the much longer central spine) and more slender antennae of Cosmodela . Autapomorphies of Cosmodela batesi are: galea always distinctly longer than maxillary palpus; head and pronotum without (or with undistinct) luster. The first instar of Cosmodela batesi has the following (relatively individual) autapomorphies: some slightly obtuse setae on head and pronotum; setae on second labial palpomere are distinctly below the middle (contrary to those of Lophyridia and Cicindela ).

Figures

Figs. 1–10. Cosmodela batesi.1) pronotum, third instar (left half); 2) pronotum, second instar (left half); 3) left antenna, third instar (dorsal view); 4) right maxilla, third instar (ventral view); 5) hump, third instar (left part, dorsal view); 6) hump, first instar (left part, dorsal view); 7) ninth abdominal segment and pygopod, third instar (dorsal view); 8) ninth abdominal segment and pygopod, third instar (ventral view); 9) ninth abdominal segment and pygopod, first instar (dorsal view); 10) ninth abdominal segment and pygopod, first instar (ventral view). [scale bar 5 1.0 mm].