Biology and larval morphology of the genus Ceramida Baraud (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Pachydeminae)

Abstract

The biology and larvalmorphology of Ceramida, a pest of olive trees in southern Spain, are described. The life-cycle is multivoltine, spanning three years in the field. Females lay eggs in the early spring, with the highest larval densities in June. Larvae feed on the root system of plants. Pupation takes place in the late summer. Adults emerge with the first autumnal rainfalls, with mating extending from September to January. Larval characters such as type of head pubescence, shape of antennal sensory areas, chaetotaxy of raster, and degree of reduction of metathoracic claws are of taxonomic value within Pachydeminae.