Decapitation of Xystodesmidae (Polydesmida) millipedes by Phengodidae beetles

Abstract

This paper describes predation on the millipede Rhysodesmus byersi (Diplopoda: Xystodesmidae) by beetlelarvae of the Phengodidae family, which constitutes the first report of this interaction between these 2 arthropodfamilies. One of the predatory larvae was a neotenic female. Beetles decapitate millipedes in order to feed from theirinternal tissues.