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Tasmanian Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle
Paropsisterna bimaculata
-42.01, 146.807
Field Notes
Description:
A pale white leaf beetle about 8mm long with two pronotal maculae. This beetle is female. It is bivoltine, having two generations per season and the winter stage is red and sexually immature until the next spring.
Habitat:
Widespread feeding on foliage on a wide range of Eucalyptus species. It is occasionally found on the mainland at higher altitudes, which share the Tasmanian colder temperatures.
Notes:
This species is extremely common in Tasmania and late in summer millions are washed up on the beaches on the southern coast of Tasmania. It is theorized the sparkling waves of the ocean look similar to shiny foliage of the forest canopy and the critters get confused. It has been researched extensively as it is one of the more serious pests of the hardwood industry in Tasmania where you can hardly find a Eucalyptus leaf without some bites taken by a hungry beetle. Some paropsines have escaped to other parts of the world, such as California, that buy Eucalyptus seedling stock from Tasmania and become serious problems.
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