Coleoptera Larval Fauna Associated with Termite Nests (Isoptera) with Emphasis on the “Bioluminescent Termite Nests” from Central Brazil

Beetle larvae that inhabit termite nests present modifications that allow them to cohabitate with the termites. Some are physogastric and bear special glands and different setae all over their bodies, whereas others are not physogastric. Both kinds of larvae may be termite predators. Some species usually live in the nest cabbage pan, feeding on organic matter, mushrooms, and excrements or eating the nest walls and sometimes causing the nest to be destroyed. Other species live in superficial galleries of the nest and feed on preys that live outside. However, all interactions between these inquilines beetles and their termite hosts are very complex and still little understood. Emphasis was done to the bioluminescent termite nests from Central Brazil and for this reason general aspects of the bioluminescence related to the elaterid fireflies were also given. The adaptations to live in nest environment and functional categories of association of all beetle larvae we have studied, including those not bioluminescent, to termite nests are discussed in this work

Description of the larva of Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch, 1873), the first known species with bioluminescent immatures in Euplinthini (Elateridae, Agrypninae)

Mature larva of Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch) is described and compared to known Pyrophorini immatures. Larvae were collected live in the soil of a region dominated by sugarcane plantation and gallery forest in Campo Novo dos Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. They were maintained in laboratory and the pupal period lasted 14 days. This larva differs from other Pyrophorini larvae mainly by bioluminescent pattern: one pair of luminous spots on the mesonotum, and a longitudinal series of median spots on the metanotum and all abdominal segments. The morphology of larva and the bioluminescent pattern of larva and pupa are described for the first time to the genus and the tribe. The fact that adults show no trace of luminescence is emphasized.A larva de Alampoides alychnus (Kirsch) é descrita e comparada às larvas bioluminescentes de espécies de Pyrophorini. Larvas foram coletadas vivas no solo, entre uma plantação de cana-de-açúcar e mata ciliar localizada em Campo Novo dos Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Foram mantidas em laboratório. Uma larva atingiu o estágio pupal e após 14 dias o estágio adulto. Estas larvas diferem das larvas de Pyrophorini principalmente pelo padrão de bioluminescência: um par de órgãos luminescentes no mesonoto e uma série de órgãos luminescentes medianos no metanoto e no abdômen. A morfologia da larva e o padrão bioluminescente da larva e da pupa são descritos pela primeira vez para o gênero e para a tribo. O adulto não apresentou luminescência ou vestígio de órgão luminescente