Rab. Leschen et B. Cutler, CUTICULAR CALCIUM IN BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE, PHRENAPETINAE), Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 87(6), 1994, pp. 918-921
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.