Redescription of the littoral genus and species of Neochthebius granulosus (Satô), and the first larval description for the genus (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae: Ochthebiinae)

Abstract

The genus and species of Neochthebius granulosus (Satô) are redescribed. The late instar larva is described for the first time and this is the first larval description for the genus. This beetle is found in the crevices of rocks, inside barnacles, and under seaweed. The geographical variation of N. granulosus from the central coast of Korea and Japan to the southern coast of Korea and Jeju Island is discussed. The genus and species are the first record from Korea. A key is provided for separation of the species and illustrations of the diagnostic features are presented.

Keywords:

• taxonomy
• Coleoptera
• Hydraenidae
• Neochthebius
• larval description
• Korea

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr H. Yoshitomi (Sapporo, Japan) for providing valuable references. Also, we are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their critiques. This study was supported by Korean Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment Grant (KIEST 052‐052‐040, 2007) to K.‐J. Ahn.