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Oplosia nubila
Classification
Diagnostic Features of Larvae
- Larva. Form robust, cylindrical; integument tough, shining, rather thickly beset with coarse reddish hairs. Head depressed, sides very slightly constricted before middle; epistoma abrupt, bearing a transverse row of 18 to 20 coarse carina; labrum thin, roundly rectangular, anterior half beset with short stiff hairs; mandible about twice as long as basal width, cutting-edge weakly emarginate; antennal ring closed; ocelli distinct. Ventral mouth-parts thick; mentum distinct, sunken, about twice as wide as long; last joint of maxillary palpi conical, about equal to penultimate, shorter than last labial; gula indistinct. Prothorax rectangular; pronotum rectangular, posteriorly rugulose; eusternum distinct, triangular, rugulose and coarsely haired; metanotum and metasternum tuberculate. Abdomen. Ampullae rather flat, broad, with a shallow impression in middle, dividing two groups of very large, irregularly disposed tubercles; epipleurum protuberant only on last three segments, tubercles very large, broadly oval, having two exceptionally large chitinous pores and two setae, one much longer than the other. Spiracles orbicular, large, peritreme strongly chitinous. Pupa. Form like that of adult; head bearing a few long setae; setiferous tubercles on pronotum in a dense row on anterior margin, a few on lateral margin, two groups on disc, and one on median posterior margin; mesonotum and metanotum each with a scattered group; abdominal terga armed with a transverse row of short, acute, recurved, subulate, chitinous points; last tergum bearing an acuminate, erect spine, and a smaller one on lateral margin. Adapted from Craighead (1923).
Biology and Economic Importance
- The larva feeds between the bark and wood of decaying linden (Tilia) logs. The mature larva enters the moist sapwood to make a short, broad pupal cell plugged at the entrance with a wad of coarse fibrous frass. It is often associated with Acanthoderes, and the work can scarcely be distinguished from species of that genus. Adapted from Craighead (1923).
Selected References to Larvae Specimens
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