Bioacoustics of Hologymnetis

The larval description of Hologymnetis cinerea (Gory and Percheron) that follows is the first for the genus. Larvae of Hologymnetis (to the extent known based upon only one species) are most similar morphologically to those of Cotinis species. Larvae of Hologymnetis have the tarsungulus with seven setae, a maxillary stridulatory area with five irregularly spaced, low teeth, and the last segment of the antenna with three ventral sensory spots. Larvae of Cotinis have a tarsungulus with 10–12 setae, a maxillary stridulatory area with 7–9 regularly spaced, high teeth, and the last segment of the antenna with 5–13 ventral sensory spots. The genus Hologymnetis consists of seven species that are found from the southwestern United States to southern Brazil ; the genus was revised by Ratcliffe and Deloya (1992). Adults of Hologymnetis species have been found in the detritus piles of leaf cutter ants ( Atta sp. ) and are known to feed on rotting fruit, flowers, and the sap of several trees and shrubs ( Baccharis and Acacia species ). Like other gymnetines, the larvae feed in compost and rotting wood. It is not known whether the adults are obligate myrmecophiles or whether the larvae are also found in ant nests.