Pericalina

Hope, 1838

Genus Guides

Pericalina is a subtribe of ground beetles (Carabidae: Lebiinae: Lebiini) comprising arboreal distributed across tropical and subtropical forests of the New World and Asia. The subtribe includes several complexes distinguished by morphological characters of the mouthparts, pronotum, and ovipositor. New World eucheiloid members are characterized by securiform labial palpomere 3, serrate-setose pronotal margins, and flattened stylomere 2 of the ovipositor. Asian members such as Pericalus exhibit flattened body forms adapted for life under bark. The group has undergone significant diversification in tropical South America with subsequent northward into Central America and independent radiations in Asia.

Lebia tricolor by (c) Justin Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Williams. Used under a CC-BY license.

Calleida viridipennis by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Philophuga viridicollis by (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pericalina: /ˌpɛrɪkəˈlaɪnə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other pericaline complexes (thyreopteroid, eurycoleoid, somotrichoid, pericaloid) by the combination of securiform labial palpomere 3, serrate-setose pronotal margins, and flattened stylomere 2 of the ovipositor in New World eucheiloids. Asian Pericalus identified by coloration, number of setigerous pores on the third elytral interval, and shape of elytral angles. -level separation relies on structural features of the , mouthparts, and male and female genitalia.

Images

Habitat

Arboreal; associated with forest . New World eucheiloids occupy various forest types with differentiation by forest type. Asian Pericalus inhabit tropical to subtropical forests, occurring under bark of fallen logs and on surfaces of dead logs. Larvae have been found under bark of dead broad-leaf tree stumps.

Distribution

New World: northern Argentina to southernmost United States (Brownsville, Texas), with principal diversification in tropical South America and Cenozoic invasions into Central America. Asia: tropical-subtropical areas of Asian continent (northern Myanmar, northeast India, southeast Xizang, west Yunnan) and Sundaland region (Greater Sunda Islands, Malay Peninsula); in China recorded from south Yunnan, Hainan, south Xizang, Guizhou, and Guangxi.

Diet

Predatory; at least some larvae prey on living pupae of other insects under bark. feeding habits not explicitly documented.

Host Associations

Uleiota arboreus Reitter - preyObserved as prey of Mochtherus luctuosus larva under bark

Life Cycle

Larval stage occurs under bark of dead trees. Mature larval described for Mochtherus luctuosus. Complete details not documented.

Behavior

fast-running on surfaces of dead logs at night; occasionally attracted to lights. Arboreal habit throughout group. Larvae predatory under bark.

Similar Taxa

Thyreopteroid complex of PericalinaLacks securiform labial palpomere 3, serrate-setose pronotal margins, and flattened stylomere 2 of ovipositor characteristic of eucheiloids
Eurycoleoid complex of PericalinaDistinguished from eucheiloids by different morphological character states of mouthparts and ovipositor
Somotrichoid complex of PericalinaSeparated from eucheiloids by structural differences in labial palpomere and ovipositor stylomere
Pericaloid complex of PericalinaDiffers from eucheiloids in key diagnostic characters of mouthparts and reproductive structures

More Details

Evolutionary history

Phylogenetic analysis based on 60 character states from 33 characters indicates Hansus is sister group to the ancestral stock of Inna + Eucheila. Principal theater of evolution has been tropical South America, with diversification involving body size, and mouthparts (feeding adaptations), reproductive structures, and superficial body characters related to avoidance. Five lineages invaded Middle America probably during Cenozoic time from middle Tertiary to Quaternary.

Taxonomic composition

Includes three New World eucheiloid (Hansus, Inna, Eucheila) with 16 , and Asian genera including Pericalus with at least 19 in the subgenus Pericalus alone.