CUTICULAR CALCIUM IN BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE, PHRENAPETINAE)

Cuticular calcium mineralization is rare among insects and has been re ported previously from the puparia and larvae of some Diptera. We repo rt for the first time cuticular calcium from adult cuticle in Coleopte ra, in certain members of tenebrionids in the subfamily Phrenapetinae. Calcium occurs in two mineralized forms: as large crystals with irreg ular faces and as fine filaments. Locations of these mineralized struc tures are limited to areas of rigidity in the beetle. Data suggest tha t calcium present is in the form of calcium carbonate. The distributio n of cuticular calcium among members suggests a single origin among me mbers of Phrenapetinae.