The mature larvae of the rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Lathrobium lineatocolle Scriba and Tetartopeus quadratus (Paykull) are described for the first time, and the larva of Paederus littoralis Gravenhorst is redescribed. Detailed illustrations of their structural features are provided. The description of T. quadratus is the first for that genus. Diagnostic larval, morphological characters for Paederus, Lathrobium, and Tetartopeus are proposed. Based on the earlier published and new data, morphological comparisons at the subtribal and genus levels within the subfamily Paederinae are given. The principal differences among subtribes and genera involve structures located on the head, but several relate to abdominal sclerites and urogomphi. Based on the current data, the previously proposed characters diagnostic for the subfamily Paederinae are verified. A status of Paederidus and Tetartopeus as genera as opposed to their subgeneric status within Paederus and Lathrobium, respectively, was confirmed.

The paper describes the mature larvae (L2) of Lathrobium alzonai, L. freyi and L. pacei—endemic, depigmented, apterous and subanophthalmous rove beetles from the Eastern Alps in Italy (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae; Paederine)—belonging to the subgenus Glyptomerus. The larva of Lathrobium pacei Piva, 1994 is described for the first time, whereas the larvae of L. alzonai Capra & Binaghi, 1938 and L. freyi Koch, 1938 are redescribed. Detailed illustrations of their structural features are provided, and diagnostic larval - morphological characters for Lathrobium are proposed. Based on earlier published and new data, morphological comparisons, both intergeneric (between Lathrobium and Tetartopeus) and interspecific (between L. alzonai, L. freyi and L. pacei) within the subtribe Lathrobiina, are made. The principal differences among the genera and species involve particular structures of the head and their measurements. The generic status of Tetartopeus was confirmed. No clear differences in the external morphological structure between the larvae of Glyptomerus and Lathrobium s.str. were noted. The morphological structure of L. alzonai larvae differed significantly from that of the larvae of the other two species. The differences relate mainly to the much larger body size of L. alzonai, the shape of the head with its relatively narrow neck, the details of the mouthparts structure and the distinct elongation of its antennae, maxillary palps, labial palps, some parts of the legs and urogomphi. Distribution of all known Italian glyptomeroid species of the genus Lathrobium is also given.

The mature larva of Platydracus latebricola (Gravenhorst, 1806) is described for the first time and the larva and pupa of Staphylinus erythropterus Linné, 1758 are redescribed. Illustrations of structural features are provided. The combination of characters that allow for distinguishing the known mature larvae of Platydracus, and larvae and pupae of Staphylinus from closely related genera within tribe Staphylinini are given. The mature larvae of Platydracus and Staphylinus are compared and the generic status of the former is confirmed. Life history data under laboratory conditions of S. erythropterus are provided. Two larval instars in this species, a state unique within the tribe Staphylinini was reported.