Larval morphology of Epomis circumscriptus (Duftschmid 1812) and of first instar E. dejeani , Dejean, 1831, (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Chlaeniini), with morphofunctional remarks

The larval stages of Epomis circumscriptus (Duftschmid 1812) and the first instar of Epomis dejeani Dejean, 1831, are described and illustrated for the first time. Epomis adults were collected in Israel and larvae obtained ex ovo under laboratory conditions. The larvae have an unusual mandibular morphology, with a long-hooked retinaculum in the first instar. This character is probably linked to the predatory habits of these carabids, which feed on body fluids and inner tissues of amphibians. The genus Epomis deserves an isolated position within Chlaeniini, and a new diagnosis for the larvae of this tribe is proposed. The life form of Epomis larvae seems intermediate between "surface runners" and "walkers".