Salagubang

Last week, I posted about the Batocera rubus that I found during a trek for Cawayan Falls in Real, Quezon. Other than the cerambycid beetle, I also found three species of Pachyrrhynchini (two Metapocyrtus sp. and one Pseudapocyrtus sp. — not shown)

Just at the entrance to the trail beside the main road, I already found this Metapocyrtus quadriplagiatus ROELOFS 1874 among the vegetation. This species is quite common in the area and both male and female can be collected feeding. M. quadriplagiatus can be identified with the four elytral markings: two at the basal and two at the apical part. The females are definitely larger and in some instances, two small spots between the larger spots can be seen. Like the beautiful M. (Artapocyrtus) derasocobaltinus HELLER 1912 from Samar, and probably for subgenus Artapocyrtus, there is a conical projection just below the head.

The second Metapocyrtus species that I was able to find is this one with greenish spots, a marking that is rather common and found within many places in the country. I’m not sure what it’s name is but it’s similar in size to the former species. This is not as common but can be found feeding on the same hostplant.

The area where these species were collected was just beside the road near the river. I’m not sure what plant is this one but it’s not tall and the curculionids are easily collected amongst the leaves or crawling at the stems. When approached, it easily hides under the leaf but does not fall to the ground easily unlike other Pachyrrhynchini.

Unlike those of the genus Pachyrrhynchus, Metapocyrtus are rather adaptable to cultivated areas.