South American terrestrial larva of Scirtidae (Coleoptera: Scirtoidea): the adaptation of Scirtidae larvae to saproxylic habitat is more common than expected

Terrestrial larvae of Scirtidae were found in southern South America (Chile) for the first time. The morphology of the larvae is described in detail and compared with terrestrial larvae known from Borneo, New Zealand and Australia. Special attention is paid to the prothoracic sclerites, which were examined for the first time in the family and compared with selected genera of Scirtidae. Large presternal sclerites seem to be a typical feature of terrestrial larvae of Scirtidae. Chilean saproxylic larvae seem to be specialised detritus feeders, feeding in water trapped in wood cavities.