Taxonomic review of the stem-inhabiting trehala-constructing Larinus Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): New species, systematics and ecology

Abstract

Trehala are unusual insect pupal chambers that are sweet and have been used as human food. They are formed by only four Larinus Dejean species which develop in plant stems. This group is revised taxonomically, and a new key is provided. A new synonymy is proposed: Larinus nidificans Guibourt, 1858 [= Larinus multiguttatus Reitter, 1901, syn. n.]. Lectotypes for Larinus maculatus Gyllenhal, 1836, Larinus hedenborgi Boheman, 1845, and Larinus rudicollis Petri, 1907 are designated. Larinus capsulatus sp. n. from northeastern Turkey is described, and a differentiating redescription of L. rudicollis is provided. Ecological information on the trehala-building L. capsulatus and L. rudicollis is presented. Larinus hedenborgi is a new record for Turkey, Iran and Egypt.