African Black Beetle

Description:

Built like a little tank and 12mm long. Very rounded all black body with a very expensive looking gold collar. Played dead when I started snapping pics.

Habitat:

Resting on water tank in suburban fringe garden.

Notes:

Ok... it turns out that this is the African Black Beetle - Heteronychus Arator. http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hetero... Yet another invasive pest species. "These shiny black beetles are about 12 mm long. They chew stems just below ground leve, leaving a frayed edge. Plants may wilt and fall over. Holes may be chewed in potatoes, and the eyes of seed potatoes may be damaged. Strawberries my be hollowed out from beneath. Adults become active in spring, and mating occurs. Eggs are liad in areas of soft soil, larvae and adults can both be found in the soil at any one time. Young larvae feed on dead organic matter in the soil, but older larvae feed on grass roots. Most damage to lawns and other turf is caused by the last larval stage. " http://www.ilandscape.com.au/articles/Pe...