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Calloides nobilis
Classification
Diagnostic Features of Larvae
- Form robust, tapering posteriorly to last few segments; integument tough, rather dull, hairs coarse, short, dark castaneous. Head distinctly trapezoidal, narrowing in front; mouth-frame strongly corneous, dark ; clypeus and labrum thick, fleshy, latter shortly stalked, sub-orbicular, densely ciliate on perimeter; mandibles tapering, narrow at apex, dull black basal piece about one-half length of apical, no fovea on outer face; first antennal joint slightly shorter than second, about equal to third, supplementary distinct; ocelli, three, indistinct or fused unto one or two, set in a slight genal impression; gena not shouldered. Ventral mouth-parts rather coriaceous; palpal joints acute, last labial and last and second maxillary all subequal; process of palpifer minute though distinct; no subfossal spine. Prothorax thick, about twice as wide as long, four tergal plates distinct, lateral region densely clothed with short, subulate, dark castaneous hairs except for numerous glabrous spots; pronotum coarsely punctured, posterior area reticulately rugose, embossed and extending anteriorly along median line, no median suture; sternum having two glabrous chitinous spots; ventrolateral suture a short notch. Mesonotum bearing a v-shaped impression (scutellum distinct), metanotum with one transverse impression, both alutaceously granulate. Legs short, conical, of two transverse joints and a short, conical, chitinous tarsus. Abdomen slightly compressed; ampullae large, broadly oval, abruptly raised, alutaceously granulate, dorsal bearing two short lateral and one transverse impression. Pleural discs indistinct. Spiracles broadly oval, dark reddish-brown, peritreme thin. Pupa: Lateral margins of pronotal disc spinulose; mesonotum and metanotum glabrous; eight abdominal terga bearing short, acute, chitinous papillae, on first six segments, these extending posteriorly, last two recurved. Adapted from Craighead (1923).
The larva has been found only in the base of recently cut or dying Quercus stumps and bases of trees. It requires considerable moisture and a great proportion of the mine is extended beneath the ground along the surface of the roots, between the bark and wood. The full-grown larva constructs a long prepupal burrow sometimes 12 inches in length deep through the heartwood. If this is constructed in a stump it opens near the center on the cut surface; if in a tree, it is turned obliquely out to the bark and never penetrates so deeply into the heartwood. This hole is left open to the exterior by the larva, giving the appearance that the adults had emerged. Most of the brood transform in one year, though some remain over the second year. Adapted from Craighead (1923).
Biology and Economic Importance
- Members of this tribe are known from various host plant families and several genera (e.g., Chlorophorus, Xylotrechus) are considered economically important. Species of this tribe are potentially invasive outside their native range. More information is available at the CAPS website.
Selected References to Larvae Specimens
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