The biology and immature stages of the moss-eating flea beetle Cangshanaltica fuanensis sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini), with description of a fan-driven high-power Berlese funnel
2020
The biology of the moss and leaf litter inhabiting flea beetles is poorly understood. In this study, a new species of moss-eating flea beetles Cangshanaltica fuanensis sp. nov. is described; the morphology of adult and immature stages is examined and illustrated. Its life history and biology are studied. The remarkable and unique biological features are revealed: (1) females deposit one large egg at a time, egg length equals 0.4–0.5 times the female body length, these are unusual in Chrysomelidae; (2) females have only two ovarioles on each side of the ovary, which has not been reported in other Chrysomelidae species; (3) females lay and hide each egg under a spoon-shaped moss leaf; (4) cannibalism of a second instar larva on an egg was observed. Both adults and larvae feed on moss and are polyphagous; their feces mainly consist of un-digested moss fragments; high humidity is essential for the survival of eggs and larvae and expedites the hatching. In addition, a modified fan-driven Berlese funnel is designed for faster extraction of moss inhabiting flea beetles. This device could also be used for collecting other ground-dwelling arthropods. Its working diagram is illustrated and described.
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