Chrysomelid Leaf Beetle -female (Paropsisterna crocata)

A beautiful high-backed beetle with peach-coloured elytra and a greenish pronotum. The elytra were pitted.
Spotted on a eucalyptus tree (species not known) in a national park.
There were not many beetles around this time of year - just coming out of winter so this was an exciting find !

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I'm such a fan of these series of leaf beetles shared by you and Martin, can't wait for more :) Posted 7 years ago
1. Leuba Ridgway
  
  Lion
  
  I love these beetles myself and can only dream of having a collection as big as Martin's - he's a great resource. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Martin Lagerwey
    
    Lion
    
    Nice, Leuba. Yours is female (check first metatarsal which is narrow in females). Last year Paropsisterna crocata was the first species I saw for the season so they sure are early starters but not very common. I saw several of these in Perth where they are common. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Leuba Ridgway
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks for the information Martin. Must remember that. Hope they are all as obliging -holding their leg out for inspection! This one is a beauty - I was really lucky to spot it. Posted 7 years ago

The Saffron eucalyptus leaf beetle

Paropsisterna crocata is one of the larger eucalyptus leaf beetles native to Australia. This is possibly the largest of all species of the Paropsisterna and is easily mistaken for Paropsis. The common name 'Saffron' is proposed based on the latin name given to this beetle when first described by Boisduval in 1835.

Info 3 0

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Leuba Ridgway

By Leuba Ridgway

Uploaded Sep 29, 2017. Captured Sep 28, 2017 14:24 in Army Track, Lysterfield South VIC 3156, Australia.

Explore Australia 13,073 4,173 3

SZ-10
f/3.7
10/1000s
ISO64
10.99mm