Toed-winged beetles

Code QC390000

Larval body very elongate, 3 to 25mm in length when mature. The most distinctive feature of Australian aquatic ptilodactylid larvae is the 10th abdominal segment which is somewhat flattened dorsally and bears 2 anal lobes postero-ventrally, covered with several hooks. These lobes often appear like hooked prolegs. Ptilodactylid larvae have relatively long, 3-segmented antenna. Stemmata (3, 5 or 6 pairs) generally closely clustered and so appearing as a single eye. The legs are well developed with 5 segments, the apical segment forming a single tarsungulus (claw). Abdomen lacking gills, though anal osmoregulatory papillae may be present. Urogomphi and opercula absent.

Australian Ptilodactylidae (Polyphaga, placed in Byrrhoidea by Australian authors, Dryopoidea by American authors) includes 15 species, both terrestrial and aquatic. The aquatic species are referred to genus Byrrocryptus , and occur along the east coast. Larvae feed on decaying plant material including wood. Two other genera occur which are terrestrial and associated with rotting wood or leaf litter.

References:

Lawrence, J.F. (1991) Ptilodactylidae (Dryopoidea) pp. 391-394. In: Stehr, F.W. (ed.) Immature Insects. Volume 2. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa.

Lawrence, J.F. and Britton, E.B. (1991) Coleoptera. pp. 543-683. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia. Volume 2. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.

LeSage, L. and Harper, P. (1976) Notes on the life history of the toed-winged beetle Anchtarsus bicolor (Coleoptera: Ptilodactylidae). Coleopterists Bulletin 30(3) : 233-238.