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Mesosa nebulosa
Classification
Diagnostic Features of Larvae
- Mature larva. Length up to 23 mm; maximum breadth (at prothorax), 5 mm. Head moderately depressed, slightly elongate, widest at middle (maximum head-width, 2.75 mm) and abruptly and strongly constricted near posterior third; frontal sutures distinct for entire length; antennal foramen open behind; mouthframe strongly and broadly sclerotized. Frons entirely ferruginous, distinctly longitudinally striate and with eight distinct setiferous pores; six epistomal setae present. One pair of ocelli present; ocellar lens round, feebly convex; pigmented spot rather indistinct. Hypostoma ferruginous, with front margin more darkly so; posterior half convex; anterior half steeply sloping down to front margin; one pair of distinct setiferous pores present; sutures distinct, pitchy and slightly incurved. Gular region with a pale median, ventral cleavage line. Antenna with second segment strongly transverse, nearly three times as long as broad; third segment dome-shaped, slightly elongate and at least as long as second; supplementary process attenuated, as long as third segment. Maxilla with third palpal segment acutely conical, as long as second. Labial palpi with third segment cylindrical, about half length of second. Mentum not distinct from submentum. Prothorax with pronotum very faintly striate and glabrous. Abdomen with each dorsal ampulla with a single transverse, curved furrow and two transverse rows of glabrous tubercles, anterior to which are a few irregularly arranged ones; the two rows are interrupted by the median longitudinal furrow. Ventral ampullae with two rows of tubercles. Ninth segment with a small, erect spine (which is not inserted on a sclerotized plate) on middle of posterior margin. Epipleurum protuberant on all segments. Pleural tubercle small, with only the ventral sclerotized pit distinct. Legs absent. Spiracles with peritreme broadly oval and with about six marginal chambers.
Pupa. Length, 9.25-15.25 mm; maximum breadth, 4.75 mm. Head with vertex entirely visible from above; rather deeply excavated between bases of antennae, and bearing a row of three long setae opposite base of each antenna; front with setae; clypeus with a deep transverse impression, and a pair of short setae near basal margin. Antennae extending as far as third abdominal segment where they are strongly recurved to terminate near front coxae. Eyes scarcely convex; each with a single seta. Mandibles with a pair of setae near middle of outer face. Labrum transverse, with front margin broadly rounded; exceptionally protuberant and very densely setose at base. Pronotum rugose; front margin with numerous short spines; disc usually with a longitudinal median impression, on each side of which are several similar spines. Mesonotum rugose and with a few short setae on each side of scutellum, which is protuberant and spinose laterally. Metanotum generally smooth, and with an oblique row of short spines on each side of scutellar groove, which is very distinct. Elytra and wings extending as far as fourth abdominal segment. Abdomen with tergites one to six each with two more or less complete transverse rows of stout curved spines. Seventh tergite slightly elongate, with sides converging posteriorly, and bearing numerous slightly stouter spines, some of which are recurved. Eighth tergite short, transverse, and with a row of similar spines. Ninth tergite very short, with hind margin bearing a row of almost straight, stouter spines. Sternites, except last two, each with a pair of fine setae near each lateral margin. Pleura moderately protuberant, and with two or three short spines. Legs with femur bearing about four fine setae near apex; mid and hind femora each with a small blunt tubercle near base; bind femora extending to fourth abdominal segment; all tibiae more or less at right angles to longitudinal axis of body. Functional spiracles present on first six abdominal segments. Peritreme narrowly oval, reniform and slightly raised above general level of cuticle. Adapted from Duffy (1953).
Biology and Economic Importance
- Biology unknown for members of this tribe. Species of this tribe are potentially invasive outside their native range.
Selected References to Larvae Specimens
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