NATURAL-HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND IMMATURE STAGES OF OXYPORUS-STYGICUSSAY (COLEOPTERA, STAPHYLINIDAE, OXYPORINAE)

Known aspects of the life history and habits of Oxyporus stygicus Say are described, based upon material collected in the field and reared i n the laboratory. Adults inhabit mature fruiting bodies of a variety o f fungi, including Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer, Pholiota aurivella (Fr.) Kummer, Grifola frondosa (Fr.) S. F. Gray, Polyporus squamosus Huds. ex Fr. and Omphalotus illudens (Schw.) Bigelow. Larvae are known to develop in P. aurivella and O. illudens. Approximate dur ation of developmental stages at room temperature (22-24 degrees C) in days were: egg (collection to eclosion), 1; larvae, instar I, 1-2; la rvae, instar II, 1-2; larvae, instar III, 1-2; prepupa, 1-2; pupa, 7-1 0. Complete developmental time (collection to adult emergence) of O. s tygicus ranged from 16-18 days (mean 17.0 days). Eggs, larvae and pupa e are described and illustrated.