Larval morphology and phylogenetic placement of the myrmecophilous beetle Attumbra lucida (Kraatz, 1852) (Staphylinoidea: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Cholevina)

We present a detailed redescription of the larval morphology of a myrmecophilous beetle species associated with harvester ants of the genus Messor Forel, 1890. The description is consistent with Silvestri’s 112-year-old description of Attumbra lucida (Kraatz, 1852) larvae. Specimens for this study were identified as Attumbra lucida using DNA barcoding, demonstrating the effectiveness of molecular methods as well as precise modern morphological descrip tions as tools for integrated taxonomic work. Additionally, we provide a preliminary phylogenetic tree of Cholevina Kirby, 1837, including several myrmecophilous genera. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed clear genetic differentiation between A. lucida and related taxa, supporting the morphological findings and confirming species identification. The calculated genetic distances, particularly the low distance of 0.0057 between the larval and adult stages of A. lucida, further validated the conspecificity of these stages. This is also the first complete, detailed account of larval morphology among myrmecophilous genera of Cholevinae. Morphological differences have been established between larvae of this myrmecophilous species and non-myrmecophilous Cholevini. Unique larval characters, including strong conical setae of the thorax and abdomen, very long and setose appendages (antennae, urogomphi and legs), provide material for discussion about host-guest interactions in ant nests.