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Eucalyptus leaf beetle

Paropsis intermedia

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Another larger-than-usual leaf beetle with fine patterns of brown, pink orange over the elytra and mottled pale patches on the pronotum. This one also has a very stubby, rounded shape compared to many others. About 12mm long

Habitat:

Attracted to night lights at the local school.

Notes:

Not endemic to Tasmania. <br>
Similar to several others. Subtle patterns and positions of the pale dots on the elytra. Compare to the last specimen on this page. <br> https://sites.google.com/site/insectsoftaschrysomeloidea/suborder-polyp… <br>

P intermedia fits well. http://www.padil.gov.au/pests-and-diseases/Pest/Main/135762#

Reference Links:

Paropsis delittlei - Paropsis Pages

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (17)
Mark Ridgway
Hi Martin... compare this one to the last specimen here https://sites.google.com/site/insectsoftaschrysomeloidea/suborder-polyphaga/chrysomelidae-leaf-beetles/subfamily-chrysomelinae/genus-paropsis/paropsis-delittlei I think they are the same.
Mark Ridgway
There's really only 2 ID sources... Ken H is Morwell and Dave's Garden... and of course Ken W is BB, Padil, ALA etc. Yes.. updates will be interesting. I make a point now of going through the species images on ALA and letting them know about good and bad ones.
MartinL
I traced the origin of my error to BB where an incorrect ID suggestion was made on my specimen. I have now added the correct ID and I wonder how ALA will process that.
Mark Ridgway
That looks pretty close thanks Martin. Yes strange about yours - obviously wrong. I'm a little concerned about that process. Weird things have happened. We've seen species change a few times and one of my spottings changed kingdom going from BB to ALA!! :) I haven't checked it again since... maybe I should. I was hoping they would run a really tight ship though and become an ultimate reference.
MartinL
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/13439/#b
MartinL
What do you think of P. intermedia from PaDIL as an ID for yours? http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:df3ac70d-5f11-416c-bd78-6edf910e4a12#tab_gallery (I don't know how mine got in there but its obviously in the wrong spot)
Mark Ridgway
Thanks Lauren. Maybe because it's early in the season we seem to be getting some interesting ones.
MartinL
If Tony says so you can probably take that to the bank. I assumed P. a. elliotti is Tasmanian based on his notes "P. aegrota elliotti differ from their mainland cousins, P. aegrota aegrota ....." I do think yours looks different, so I didn't call it.
Mark Ridgway
Thanks for confirming Paropsis Martin. I think this one is subsp Elliotti according to Tony at Tas Insects. (and a couple of others)
MartinL
Terrific Mark! I'd call that Paropsis. It might be Paropsis aegrota but I wouldn't be confident to call it. http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/12859/#b http://www.padil.gov.au/pests-and-diseases/Pest/Main/135765/4228 http://www.flickr.com/photos/32977858@N02/4781896516/ As you see quite variable and having some subspecies. I saw one yesterday http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/38868043
beaker98
Interesting you say that Mark. I was just discussing with a friend how things have changed so much over here, especially this year. I haven't seen near the variety of species that I have in past years. The very small populations of butterflies has me a bit concerned as well. I'm hoping that they are just a bit late. Opposite of what you are seeing here, but still a concern.
Mark Ridgway
Thanks LE and Bill. I'm concerned about how 'early' these critters are though - shouldn't be seeing all these beetles for another month or two I reckon.
beaker98
Awesome series! Love the intricate pattern.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Beetles of Southeastern Australia
Mission
Dandenong Ranges - fauna & flora
Mission
Global Schoolyard Bioblitz!
Mission
Beetles!
Mission
Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 16, 2013

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