Abstract: An annotated list is provided for 5 genera and 9 species of Lucanidae (Coleoptera) collected from the Passam area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea during 1989. The species collected are: Cyclommatus gestroi Nagel, Figulus excavatus Bomans, F. incertus Bomans, F. nitidulus Gestro, F. papuanus Gestro, F. weinreichei Bomans, Gnaphaloryx opacus Burmeister, Metopodontus bison (Olivier) and Serrognathus pilosipes (Waterhouse). Information on biology and/or distribution is reviewed for each species. The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) M. A. (Euphorbiaceae), is a newly recorded host plant for Figulus excavatus, F. incertus, F. nitidulus, F. papuanus, Metopodontus bison and Serrognathus pilosipes; Macaranga quadriglandulosa Warb. (Euphorbiaceae) for Serrognathus pilosipes; Citrus grandis Osbeck (Rutaceae) for Gnaphaloryx opacus and Spathodea campanulata Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) for Metopodontus bison. The Lucanidae of the Passam region are partial to the dead wood of tree species from the families Bignoniaceae and Rutaceae and in particular, Euphorbiaceae - all of these families contain plants with mucilaginous sap or latex which are rich in sugars and nutrients. It is most likely for this reason that the Lucanidae are most commonly encountered in fallen logs belonging to these plants.

Download PDF