The first instar larva ofEripus oaxacanusStraneo & Ball (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Peleciini): indicator of affinity or convergence?

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Abstract
The first instar larva ofEripus oaxacanusStraneo & Ball is diagnosed and described, representing the first laboratory‐described larval stage for a species of the tribe Peleciini. The larva possesses the derived character states of: (1) stemmata lacking, (2) mandible lacking penicillus, (3) maxilla with setose lacinia, (4) labium lacking a ligula, (5) claws single, (6) urogomphi short, rounded. These derived character states, if considered synapomorphic, would place Peleciini as a close relative to Brachi‐nini. Classifications based on adult characters are not concordant with this interpretaton, and the weight of evidence suggests that convergence due to a similar parasitic lifestyle is the basis for the derived similarity ofEripusandBrachinuslarvae.