Determination of the number of larval instars of sitona discoideus gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using probit analysis

Abstract

Analysis of head-capsule widths of field-collected and laboratory-hatched Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal larvae confirmed that this species possesses five larval instars. Probit analysis allowed for more accurate statistical definition of the head-capsule size ranges of each particular instar, despite size overlap between successive instars. © 1986 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.