First known larva of omicrine genus Psalitrus d'Orchymont (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae)

Abstract

The larval morphology of the water scavenger beetle Psalitrus yamatensis Hoshina & Sato, 2005 is described based on a specimen collected from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. This is the first description of the larval morphology of the hydrophilid genus Psalitrus d'Orchymont, 1919, as well as the first description of larval chaetotaxy of the tribe Omicrini. Species-level identification of the larva was performed using DNA barcoding of a molecular marker: a 658 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I. A description including chaetotaxy of head capsule and head appendages, diagnosis, and illustrations of the larva is provided. Psalitrus larvae can be distinguished from other known larvae of the tribe Omicrini by the morphology of the head and legs. The larva shares characters with other known larvae of Omicrini; potential plesiomorphies are shared with Cylominae and aquatic hydrophilids; some characters are also shared with larvae of Megasternini and Sphaeridiini.