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Paropsisterna annularis
The usually very bright yellow and red leaf beetle is locally quite common at the moment. This is unusually pale and is possibly a teneral form (newly eclosed).
On Red Box in a nature reserve.
Previously I have called this beetle Paropsisterna gloriosa but based on elytral differences such as an annulus of yellow dots on the apical half of the elytra and confirmation by our expert [CAR]. I now believe each of the following to also be Paropsisterna annularis http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/229... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/570... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/297... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/224...
8 Comments
Thanks Charlie.
And I thought we start decorating early for Christmas.
Good looking Leaf beetle , gearing up with xmas colours already :)
I can dismiss the teneral theory as this beetle still has pale colors after 24 hours. I presume there would be a genetic origin for this variation. It does occur in other species to such as the closely related Paropsisterna nobilitata in Tasmania;
https://sites.google.com/site/insectsoft...
Thank you Sergio
Thank you magazhu
Thank you Joseph
A spotting that awoke our imagination! Beautiful spotting Martin! :))
Wow, it is beautiful, Martin!
It looks like the landing lights on an aeroplane. :)
I like the colors on this one!