Paropsisterna philomela, Brumby

This rare beetle is known from Tasmania but this is the first record from the mainland to my knowledge. The punctuations are confused (not aligned) which occurs in very few Paropsisterna species.

comments (6)

Mark Ridgway

Lion

Aha! Another Tasmaniac on holidays. P delittlei was like that. Your website is becoming something super special Martin. Thanks for sharing these. Posted 9 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Any more info on these "holidays"? Do they make it on their own or is it a human-triggered transport? Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Mark Ridgway
    
    Lion
    
    My comment relates to some species which were thought Tasmanian endemics and then found in the southern parts of the mainland. It has happened several times but it's probably about learning what is where rather than things actually moving around.
    Some things do seem to move between Tas and Vic though.. If it's south to north then it's likely they were just not previously discovered. But with north to south some critters get blown over by our prevailing weather systems. Tas was choking on a certain very pretty moth species a month ago which they know doesn't breed there.
    And then there's the really big weather which seems to have taken our wildlife to NZ and even Macquarie Island.
    It's all wonderful stuff.... although I doubt many beetles get moved around that way.
    Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks for explaining. Posted 9 years ago
    2. 1. Martin Lagerwey
        
        Lion
        
        This beetle is quite rare and migration is therefore unlikely. Reid thinks they occurred in both states before the end of the ice age separated them 10 000 years ago. This timeframe is too short for speciation. Paropsisterna selmani is a Tassie endemic and was introduced to Ireland along with plantation eucalyptus. This is a prolific and problematic species but has not (yet) been found on the mainland. I do not own a photo but here is a link for you.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paropsisterna_selmani#/media/File:Paropsisterna_selmani.jpg
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paropsisterna_selmani#/media/File:Paropsisterna_selmani.jpg Posted 9 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks so much for the additional info. Posted 9 years ago

The Paropsisterna philomela

Paropsisterna philomela is a rare beetle known from Tasmania but a specimen has been found on the mainland too. The punctuations are confused (not aligned) which occurs in very few Paropsisterna species.

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Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by WildFlower