Morphological changes in the three-phase development of aenetus virescens larvae (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

Abstract

A larval phase of Aenetus virescens (Doubleday) morphologically distinct from the young larvae found on dead wood and fungi (litter phase) and the older larvae in live trees (treephase) is described, and designated the ‘transfer phase’. It is characterised by expansion andfusion of the dorsal pinacula, which results in a darker overall coloration. The transferphase is a single instar, but its exact position in larval development seems to vary. The‘transfer larva’ migrates from the litter habitat to live tree hosts, where it establishes atunnel. Chaetotaxy and other morphological features of A. virescens larvae are describedand compared. The diagnostic value of certain features of a range of hepialid larvae isdiscussed. © 1981 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.