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Tortoise leaf beetle Tortoise leaf beetle

Chrysophtharta variicollis

Description:

Habitat:

Eucalyptus leaf.

1 Species ID Suggestions

MartinL
MartinL 12 years ago
Tortoise leaf beetle
Chrysophtharta variicollis Chrysophtharta Leaf Beetles - Genus Paropsisterna (former Chrysophtharta)


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3 Comments

MartinL
MartinL 9 years ago

RachaelB
Two points;
This genus has been revised and the obsolete Chrysophtharta has now absorbed into the larger Paropsisterna genus making a cumbersome 122 species.
But this is a good thing because nobody could spell that name anyway :) (Chrysophtharta is now considered to be a subgenus taxon)

Secondly the variable species P. variicollis is defined by a black body which we cannot ascertain from your photos. It also typically has a complex lighter pattern of markings on the pronotum. The pronotum pattern is considered important as it color is more stable than the wing colors which develop after eclosion and fade after death. Some examples can be seen here. http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Paropsiste...

In short, your genus is now Paropsisterna.
Your species is uncertain. In my opinion the black feet indicate P. variicollis and the plain pronotum indicate P. sp.
http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations...
http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations...
http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations...
.

RachaelB
RachaelB 12 years ago

Thanks Martin - are you able to help with this spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/931...

RachaelB
Spotted by
RachaelB

Victoria, Australia

Spotted on Feb 26, 2012
Submitted on Mar 1, 2012

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