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Hesthesis sp.
A medium sized beetle mimicking a wasp. This is a longicorn beetle (Cerambycidae) The elytra are extremely reduced.
Among Melaleuca flowers with many other wasps (Orchid dupe wasps)
Wasp-like Longicorn Beetle (Hesthesis sp.) It looks like H_angulatus based on- http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/im... Thanks John for the ID
Spotted on Nov 2, 2013
Submitted on Nov 2, 2013
4 Comments
Based on the only published revision (Carter, 1928) (see link here: https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hesth...), it is H. plorator or perhaps H. cingulata, but probably the former. See also: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zosterops/6...
Wonderful Cerambycid and mimic!
Thanks John La Salle. I should have known this one but I learn best when I see one for real. I will take some better photos of it tomorrow. Nice to not get fooled by their amazing mimicry.
Try this - not sure if it is the same species, but looks similar.
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...
By the way, Adam Slipinski and Hermes Escalona from ANIC just brought out a new volume on Australian Cerambycidae
http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7110.htm...
Volume 1 of a three volume series