Investiga tion on D istr ibution and Habita t of B laps rynchopeteraFa irma ire ( Coleoptera: Tenebr ion idae) in Yunnan

B laps rynchopetera Fairmaire is a kind of national medicinal insects with important value, and is widelyused asmedicine in Yunnan. Its distribution and habitat in Yunnan were investigated. The results showed that theinsect is distributed in all the sites investigated including 25 counties in 14 districts of Yunnan Province. The relatively central distribution area of the insect is in the middle and east of Yunnan p lateau. The suitable living area hasthe annual average temperature 13℃ to 19 ℃, average annual rainfall 750～1 100 mm, altitude 1 500～2 100 m.The vertical distribution altitude of the insect is from 760 m to 2 450 m. Adults live in farmer’s house and lievestocksty. Larvae live in loose soil. The insect is not found outside house. Itsmain food is grain bran, corn flour, wheat,flour, etc. Its potential distribution in China was analyzed based on indexes of annual mean temperature, annualmean rainfall and feeding habitat. Its core distribution area is southwestern China. The commonly used name“B.japanensis yunnanensis”should be B laps rynchopetera.