Abstract

LARSSON, Folke Kustvall. Limb amputation by male Neotropical longhorn beetles during competition for females. Biota Neotrop. [online]. 2010, vol.10, n.1, pp. 339-341. ISSN 1676-0603.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1676-06032010000100030.

The biology and mating behaviour of the spectacularly large and brightly coloured Neotropical longhorn beetle Schwarzerion holochlorum Bates 1872 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is largely unknown. For the first time I report and photographically document violent male-male competitions for females involving frequent amputations of competitors' legs and antennae.

Keywords : amputations; male-male competition; Palo Verde National Reserve; Costa Rica; longhorn beetle; Cerambycidae; mating system.