Description of the larva of Loberus impressus (Coleoptera : Languriidae : Xenoscelinae) with notes on its natural history

The larva of Loberus impressus LeConte is described based on adult-associat ed and reared specimens collected from corollas and seed pods of Iris hexag ona on the gulf coast of Louisiana. The larva of L. impressus is similar to larvae of Zavaljus brunneus (Gyllenhal) Hapalips prolixus Sharp, Pharaxono tha spp., and Bolerus angulosus (Arrow), the other described larvae within the Xenoscelinae. Larval characters typical for the Loberini that are found in L. impressus include arrangement of integumental granules into rows, fr ayed and aciculate setae borne on spiny tubercles, and urogomphi spiny or t uberculate and recurved. The tarsungular setae of L. impressus and B. angul osus are single, in contrast to the dual setae present in other described l arvae of Languriidae. Larva and adults of L. impressus were common in dried corollas and seed polls of I. hexagona that had begun to split open or had been invaded by Crematogaster ants. Fusarium and Cladosporium fungi were p otential sources of food for L. impressus and other fungivorous beetles in the iris seed pods and on corollas.