Showcase Australia

Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck

Aphanesthes succine

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aphanesthes succine Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Christmas Beetles Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dicranolaius cinctus Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Malachiinae Mordellidae (Pintail Beetles) Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhinotia haemoptera Rhinotia suturalis Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

Aphanesthes succine is said to be a widespread (but not common) native beetle in Western Australia, belonging to the commonly named group of Fiddler Beetle species. They are also refered to as Scarab Beetles (family Scarabaeidae) and Fruit and Flower Chafers (subfamily Cetoniinae).

The adult members feed on pollen and/or nectar, whilst their larvae form are found in decomposting timber that are in the final stage of decomposition.

Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Aphanesthes succine (Flower Scarab Beetle) on Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
  • Family: Scarabaeidae
  • Subfamily: Cetoniinae
  • Tribe: Schizorhinini
  • Genus: Alphanesthes
  • Species: Aphanestes succine

Pictured is the flowers of Corymbia calophylla, a tree that is native to the south west of Western Australia. Commonly known as Marri, it is a member of the Myrtaceae family. It is a popular flowering plant with insects including Aphanestes succine (as shown above).

Flowering Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
Flowering Corymbia calophylla, Perth WA © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Charophyta
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Rosanae
  • Order: Myrtales
  • Family: Myrtaceae
  • Genus: Corymbia
  • Species: Corymbia calophylla

Footnote & References

  1. Aphanestes succine and Corymbia calophylla © Geoff-Margaret Pittuck
  2. Aphanesthes succinea (Hope, 1841), Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Aphanesthes succinea
  3. Aphanestes succine, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/1195423-Aphanesthes-succinea

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aphanesthes succine Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Christmas Beetles Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dicranolaius cinctus Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Malachiinae Mordellidae (Pintail Beetles) Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhinotia haemoptera Rhinotia suturalis Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Moths Neuroptera Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub