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Paropsis rufitarsis
It was feeding on a black Wattle tree (Acacia aulacocarpa)
Paropsine beetles are a group of moderately large and often brightly coloured leaf beetles belonging to several genera of the family Chrysomelidae.
Christianne; welcome to spring!
I have spoken to the local expert who studies these beetles in Queensland.
I have seen it myself, in Cooktown since you showed me this beetle. He has corrected my identification. It was described by Chapuis back in 1877, probably not that uncommon. . Sorry to lead you astray.
I do hope you survived the storm unscathed.
I have checked all species of Paropsis beetles in the museum and, sadly, this one is not there. It is shown in the WA museum as Paropsis hemisphaerica; http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/im... which seems a very good name for it but has since been shifted to Dicranosterna.
We would expect it to feed on Acacia.Can you confirm this?
(ie, how good is your memoory?)
Very nice beetle Christiane. You get another cookie.
This belongs to the genus Paropsis.
It is more convex than Paropsisterna.
The punctures on the wing covers are random rather than in rows.
The edge of the pronotum is not smooth, as in paropsisterna.
I've never seen this one before.
I think I need to come up for a visit.
If you list this onto Bowerbird, our Queensland expert might see it and offer you a name. And a cookie.
If you are able, or willing, i would love for you to send a sample to me.
martinl@nex.net.au.
Spotted on Jan 2, 2015
Submitted on Jan 12, 2015
+1
