Agapanthia probsti is a species endemic to Crete (Greece). The beetle develops in Asphodeline liburnica. Similarly to other Agapanthia species larvae of Agapanthia probsti feed in stalks of living hosts. The pupal cell is built in the stalk rather than the roots although it may occur very close to ground level. The last instar larva girdles the stalk above the pupal cell and secures the gallery at this point by a wad of fibrous frass. The emerging adult leaves the stalk by biting an oval emergence hole in its side (see picture), usually about 1 cm below the cut. A young instar larva of the depicted beetle was collected in July, 2003 in Theriso S Hania (Central Crete, Greece) and the adult hatched in April, 2004.
MH & MR © August 27, 2007
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