HELOPS GL RIVEN S GLABRIVE'NTRIS (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE), ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONSUMERS OF CORTICOLOUS LICHENS IN THE CONIFEROUS FORESTS OF CYPRUS: BIONOMICS, TROPHIC ASSOCIATIONS DESCRIPTION OF LARVAE

We present the life history and trophic relations of the lichenophagous darkling beetle _Helops glabriventris glabriventris Reitter, 1885 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini), which is widespread in Cyprus. Adults of II. glabriventris feed primarily on Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf (Parmeliaceae), which is the most widespread fruticose corticolo us lichen in Cypriot forests of Pinus brutia Tenore, Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Meilde and Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold and Anatolian forests of Piltus brutia. Additionally, they can feed on the crustose corticolous lichen Ilypocenomyce scalaris (Ach.) M. Choisy (Lecidea.ceae) as an alternative trophic source. We described and illustrated the last instar larva of this species, collected in the rotten wood of Pinus nigra. Fossorial adaptations of larvae are discussed and compared with other representatives of the tribe Helopini.

Automated summary

The study presents the life history and trophic relations of the lichenophagous darkling beetle Helops glabriventris glabriventris, widespread in Cyprus. The adults primarily feed on a specific lichen species but can also utilize an alternative trophic source. The last instar larva of the species is described and discussed in detail, including its adaptations compared to other members of the tribe Helopini.