Skip to main content
Today is World Oceans Day!
Close

Acacia Leaf Beetle

Peltoschema orphana

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-37.8932, 145.308

Field Notes

Description:

Small beetles about 10mm long with light green thorax and elytra. The pitted elytra had dark brown linear stripes. The base of the head also had a narrow brown margin. The antennae were short with multiple segments.
The male and female beetles show different markings on the elytra

Habitat:

Acacia (silver wattle)

Notes:

Found these two tiny beetles on a Mimosa tree by a railway line and at the edge of a state forest.
Thanks to martinl for correctly identifying this beetle for me.

Previously known as Pyrgoides orphana
http://lifeunseen.com/index2_item_3756.php

Reference Links:

Attack on post-bushfire wattle regrowth

Species ID Suggestions

Acacia leaf beetle

Peltoschema orphana

Reference Link
MartinL
1

Acacia leaf beetle

Pyrgoides orphana

Reference Link
MartinL
1

Comments (5)
DavidLeviston
So in fact, the female measures 8mm and the male 6mm. And they do seem to only live on sliver wattle. My most recent obsevations of the species have been today, 31 may 2013. The last day of Autumn. The observation also included mating.
Leuba Ridgway
I agree - Thanks Martin ! the colour on the skirt was a little difficult to judge because of the lighting I could not get a better shot because of the wind today.
MartinL
The female has a greener skirt seen well in pic #1. The male seems a bit smaller and has darker brown striping. I've never seen genders determined and am learning from spotting pic =)
Leuba Ridgway
You are so right Martin - the stripes aren't quite like those of Calomela, nor is the general shape and colour. Thanks so much for pointing this out. I should have checked your spottings before putting this up....just my inexperience !! As for the sexual dimorphism, the male seems to have a broader dark band running down each fore wing and the white band along the midline is also interrupted with patches of dark brown - is this what you are referring to ? can you see anything else ? Thanks again I will change the ID.
MartinL
Nice beetles Leuba. Please consider that they're more complex that previously thought and there are other smallish species to keep us thoroughly confused. Your spotting shows probable consistent dimorphism between sexes which I find very interesting. Your spotting is not as robust as the Brisbane species and I humbly suggest it's closer to one I've seen before, on Acacia. http://lifeunseen.com/index2_list_228.php

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Beetles of Southeastern Australia

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMarch 23, 2012

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies