Jewel beetles (Buprestidae)
References for Jewel Beetles (family Buprestidae): https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/
And a photo gallery for the family: https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/buprestidae-gallery
This gallery can be searched by genus, for example, Castiarina:
https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/castiarina-gallery
Another good gallery for Castiarina: http://www.virtual-beetle.com/castiarinafp.html
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Discussion
entom2
wrote:
28 Feb 2025
Hi Miranda, I agree with Mark. Closest to the genus Torresita, if not in that genus.
What would have been its length?
Certainly specimens need to be collected (if possible,,asap before the current season ends, else next season). Occurring on an Exocarpus is also interesting, so looking for more on Exocarpus could prove fruitful. Adults are likely to be (or may not be - who knows?) nectar feeders, so on sunny days also look on any flowers of plants that might still have some flower on them, mainly in Bursaria, Hakea, Grevillea, Leptospermum, and Eucalyptus. You are best to take a collecting net with you (else scoop the foliage or flowers you see one on into an upside umbrella and grab them very quickly before they fly off), and a number of screw-top pill jars with small holes punched in the lids, or small takeaway sauce containers (no need for holes in those, their lids don't seal). Place a bit of dry twig or very dry leaf in each container as well so the specimens have something to grab onto, else there is a risk that they chew their own legs and antennae off.
As well as specimens for the ANIC, like you, I would also love to photograph this species alive. If interested, please check out the book on Australian Jewel Beetles that I am a co-author of, chock full of my pics of live jewel beetles that I have photographed since 1980: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8110/
I note the observation site is within Koscuiszko National Park. While the species may occur outside of the park, if interested, I can authorise you to collect for me within the national park as I am the holder of a current scientific licence to collect in all National Parks, Nature Reserves and the like in NSW, and have the ability to authorise people to collect on my behalf.
Good hunting Miranda!
Cheers,
Allen M. Sundholm OAM
What would have been its length?
Certainly specimens need to be collected (if possible,,asap before the current season ends, else next season). Occurring on an Exocarpus is also interesting, so looking for more on Exocarpus could prove fruitful. Adults are likely to be (or may not be - who knows?) nectar feeders, so on sunny days also look on any flowers of plants that might still have some flower on them, mainly in Bursaria, Hakea, Grevillea, Leptospermum, and Eucalyptus. You are best to take a collecting net with you (else scoop the foliage or flowers you see one on into an upside umbrella and grab them very quickly before they fly off), and a number of screw-top pill jars with small holes punched in the lids, or small takeaway sauce containers (no need for holes in those, their lids don't seal). Place a bit of dry twig or very dry leaf in each container as well so the specimens have something to grab onto, else there is a risk that they chew their own legs and antennae off.
As well as specimens for the ANIC, like you, I would also love to photograph this species alive. If interested, please check out the book on Australian Jewel Beetles that I am a co-author of, chock full of my pics of live jewel beetles that I have photographed since 1980: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8110/
I note the observation site is within Koscuiszko National Park. While the species may occur outside of the park, if interested, I can authorise you to collect for me within the national park as I am the holder of a current scientific licence to collect in all National Parks, Nature Reserves and the like in NSW, and have the ability to authorise people to collect on my behalf.
Good hunting Miranda!
Cheers,
Allen M. Sundholm OAM
Melobasis sp. (genus)
entom2
wrote:
27 Feb 2025
Nice photo! Any idea what plant they are on please? Cheers, Allen M. Sundholm
Melobasis propinqua
entom2
wrote:
27 Feb 2025
Agree with Kim and Mark, definitely not acuducta. Cheers, Allen M. Sundholm
Diphucrania sp. (genus)
KimberiRP
wrote:
25 Feb 2025
Belongs to the "purpurascens-group" in Melobasis, which needs further study to sort out the boundaries between the several species.
Melobasis purpurascens
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