Overview

Boganium species occur in both dry and wet forests in eastern Australia and in mallee regions of western Vic., S.A. and W.A.; both larvae and adults are known to feed in Eucalyptus flowers. [Endrody-Younga and Crowson 1986; Sen Gupta and Crowson 1966.]

Description

Oblong, somewhat flattened, subglabrous or pubescent beetles with weak or no antennal club, distinct, straight frontoclypeal suture, membranous labrum concealed beneath clypeus, prominent mandibles bearing dorsal tubercle and setose cavity, narrowly elongate maxillary palps and strongly transverse prothorax, which may have glandular callosities at anterior angles. In Paracucujus there is a distinct median endocarina extending posteriorly from the frontoclypeal suture and the clypeus is slightly elongate.

Larvae elongate and tapered posteriorly, with sclerotised tergal plates on thorax and abdominal segments 1--9; urogomphi very short or absent; mala falcate and articulated; segment 10 with well-developed pair of adhesive pygopods.

Distribution

The family includes the Australian genera Paracucujus and Boganium and their South African sister groups Metacucujus and Afroboganium , respectively. P. rostratus occurs in south-western W.A., where adults and larvae feed on the pollen of Macrozamia riedlei (Cycadaceae).