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Paropsisterna nigerrima (var.) alternata
A beetle very similar to the one in a previous spotting but with complete stripes running down the length of the elytra.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/892...
Attracted to bright lights - spotted near the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
My thanks to Martin Lagerway for identifying the species and for the information on how to distinguish between the various species - good for future reference ! family: Chrysomelidae
Spotted on Nov 10, 2015
Submitted on Nov 11, 2015
1 Comment
Hello leuba
This is probably Paropsisterna nigerrima (var.) alternata.
Ps. n. alternata always comes with puncturated striae (the most important feature) which is not clear in your photos. It can be with strong or faint red stripes or red spots or entirely black. It is quite common and widespread, under bark and nocturnal.
Paropsisterna semivittata (half stripe) looks similar but is not. It is scarce and diurnal for the three live specimens I am aware of. Counting from the suture, the red vittae are 1/ short, 2/ long, 3/ short and 4/ not reaching the base (anterior) of the elytra . If you consider the name 'semivittata' referring to the fourth vitta reaching halfway to the front, you will easily distinguish this beetle from nigerrima even with a bad photo. There are several other differences; semivittata has black lateral margins of the elytra and extremely fine striae. With this information you will realize your other beetle in your link above is indeed semivittata. http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Paropsiste...
I believe that octolineata is found from Sydney to Brisbane, at least. Brisbane insects image is probably correct but even though Reid named it, I would like to see it first. It is large with entire red vittae and non striate. I have never seen it so my opinion is a guess. I hope to have it found and figured by this winter. The vic. museum specimens come with some uncertainty as to their correct ID.