Adults and larvae of Epuraea distincta （Grimmer）（Nitidulidae） from a sporophore of Daedaleopsis confragosa （Fungi, Coriolaceae）

摘要

The association between Epuraea distincta and the widespread blushing bracket fungus Daedaleopsis confragosa is well known but I am not aware of any information on the habits of the beetle larvae. Kirk-Spriggs (2006) mentions that the larvae of Epuraea species are incompletely known and that Spornraft (1967) had only suggested that E. distincta may be associated with fungi. People have tended to find adult beetles by tapping brackets of D. confragosa or breaking them open, but the presence of larvae is not generally mentioned. I recently found a fresh live sporophore of D. confragosa on I April 2021 and took a section home for rearing. By early May the rearing chamber was full of dead larvae - more than 100 specimens - together with six dead adult E. distincta. Although keys are not available for Epuraea larvae it seems reasonable to assume that the larvae and adults are the same species.