Larvae of Eustilicus Sharp, Rugilus Leach, Deroderus Sharp, Stilocharis Sharp, and Medon Stephens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Paederini), and their phylogenetic significance

Abstract

First-instar larvae of Eustilicus Sharp and Rugilus Leach (Stilicina), and of Medon Stephens (sensu Casey), Deroderus Sharp, and Stilocharis Sharp (Medonina) are described and compared with larvae of other Paederini in the subtribes Stilicina, Medonina, Lithocharina, Scopaeina, Stilicopsina, Astenina, Lathrobiina, Paederina, and Cryptobiina. Three synapomorphies in larvae indicate that the first six subtribes are closely related. One synapomorphy in larvae provides evidence that Eustilicus, Deroderus, Stilocharis, and Medon are closely related. In contrast, there is no evidence that Rugilus is closely related to Eustilicus. These last two results conform largely to those obtained previously for adults, except that close relationship of Medon to Eustilicus, Deroderus, and Stilocharis was not demonstrated using adult characters. Larvae provide additional evidence that the Medonina and Stilicina are not monophyletic groups.