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Beetle without elytra

Hesthesis sp.

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A medium sized beetle mimicking a wasp.
This is a longicorn beetle (Cerambycidae)
The elytra are extremely reduced.

Habitat:

Among Melaleuca flowers with many other wasps (Orchid dupe wasps)

Notes:

Wasp-like Longicorn Beetle (Hesthesis sp.)
It looks like H_angulatus based on- http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/images/H_angulatus.jpg
Thanks John for the ID

Reference Links:

Wasp-like Longicorn Beetle - Hesthesis variegata or Hesthesis bizonata

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
stho002
Based on the only published revision (Carter, 1928) (see link here: https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hesthesis), it is H. plorator or perhaps H. cingulata, but probably the former. See also: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zosterops/6745716521/
MartinL
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.
John La Salle
Try this - not sure if it is the same species, but looks similar. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_longicorns/WaspLongicorn.htm 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

Spotted for Missions

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Beetles of Southeastern Australia
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Beetles!

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Photographed
PublishedNovember 2, 2013

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