Inheritance of a red cuticular color mutation in the scarab beetle Canthoncyanellus cyanellus LeConte (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae)

A purebred "red" mutant line of Canthon cyanellus cyanellus LeConte, a carr ion ball-roller beetle normally green in color, was produced by inbreeding under laboratory conditions. Segregation of cuticular color fit a 3:1 norma l/mutant ratio in F-2 progeny, and 1:1 normal/mutant ratio in test cross pr ogeny. The mutant phenotype was controlled by an autosomal recessive allele . The putative genotypes are green (G/-) and red (g/g) Ln the laboratory, i ndividuals possessing the red trait were as reproductively successful as wi ld-type green beetles. The red stock can be used as a visible genetic marke r to investigate paternity in this subsocial species.