Shiny brown eucalyptus leaf beetle (Paropsisterna sp.)

Another new Paropsisterna.
Very dark brown coloured with paler lines through the elytra (which only showed up via camera flash).
Approximately 14mm long.
Very placid - I was able to touch it with not much response other than to adjust it's position slightly.
Hiding under a eucalyptus leaf in a local nature reserve.
The lack of movement matches well with Peter Chew's description.
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_leafbeetles/ShinyDarkBrown.htm
Hoping for species soon.

comments (2)

Martin Lagerwey

Lion

This is probably Paropsisterna morio. It is nocturnal and was probably asleep. Usually I find them under bark. Blackburn describes it as having two varieties, with the faintest of brown interstitial stripes, or jet black. The elytra might be interstitially convex or completely flat. http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations/42009
There is a Tasmanian form with brown elytra and black pronotum/head. Posted 9 years ago
1. Mark Ridgway
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Martin. Posted 9 years ago