Litovkin S.V. 2026. Post-emergence changes in the outer coverings of Georissus costatus Castelnau, 1840 (Coleoptera: Georissidae) // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.35. No.1: 75–80 [in English].
Russian Entomological Society, Samara branch, Samara 443016 Russia.
Stanislav Litovkin: sats.lit@gmail.com ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4463-6363
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.35.1.03
ABSTRACT. The article discusses the morphology and properties of the outer coverings of Georissus costatus Castelnau, 1840 adults at different stages of their development. The study is supported by original photographs. It was found that after the adult emerges from the pupa, its outer coverings undergo a number of structural changes that affect the appearance of the beetle. 1. During sclerotisation, the cuticle develops a bright, colourful metallic sheen. 2. The surface of the cuticle becomes covered with an opaque whitish friable coating. 3. This coating forms a hard coating that partially or completely hides the coloration and sheen of the cuticle; the beetles appear dark in colour. These changes are characteristic of all species in the G. costatus group. Most probably, within this group, specimens with different outer coverings conditions were previously classified as separate species.
KEY WORDS: Neogeorissus, Georissus costatus species group, imago, cuticle, sclerotisation, biomineralization, synonymy.