BIOLOGY OF APHODIUS-HYXOS PETROVITZ (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEOIDEA, APHODIIDAE) AND DESCRIPTION OF THE 3RD LARVAL STAGE

Aphodius hyxos Petrovitz, 1962 was reared in the laboratory and the th ird-stage larva is described and illustrated. The third-stage larvae a nd life histories of Aphodius granarius (L.), 1767 and A. hyxos are co mpared. Adults of A. hyxos are active from late autumn until early spr ing, whereas adults of A. granarius are active chiefly from early spri ng to late summer. The larvae of both species may be separated by diff erences in the distribution of setae on the raster, the shape of the a nal lobes, and the size and number of holes in the respiratory plate.