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Project Noah Nature School
Paropsisterna hectica
A bright green leaf beetle with testaceous skirt and pronotum.
Montane. Found on snow gum foliage and blending in well with the growing tips.
I went to the alpine region to find this beetle. :) It seems to occur only in the high country.
Spotted on Dec 17, 2014
Submitted on Dec 17, 2014
10 Comments
The golden ones from coastal Anglesea, Vic. are probably P, hectica too and not P. aurea, as supposed.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/112...
Thanks Leuba. They were found in the highlands common but not widespread
lovely green with a lacquer finish.
Thank you Venusflytrap
great macro!
Thanks Mark
Definitely worth the journey.
Heaps more yet to share.
Most Paropsisterna fade to testaceous in the museum collection so it is a word we soon learn :)
Fabulous find Martin. Worth the journey. That's great country. I had to look up testaceous though.
:) Taking notes...just found info from Tony too - the larvae are very distinctive looking - https://www.flickr.com/photos/32977858@N...
Thank you Charlie. I was very pleased with this find. They were found in numbers but only above the snow line. You have the similar (golden) P. aurea in Tasmania and my experience might give you a clue as to where to find it.
What a gorgeous green ...well worth your trip up a bit higher to find it . :)