ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aphanesthes succine Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Carabidae 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
Chalcopteroides is a genus of Darkling Beetles that occurs throughout Australia. It has a number common names (some may be species specific), such as Chalcopterus Beetle, True Darkling Beetle, Rainbow Tree Beetle.
They are iridescent beetle, changing appearance depending on the light. Whilst they are not known to bite, they do release an unpleasant smelling chemical defence if pestered. They are often found trees in the drier regions of Australia, in particular they can be found on the mallee.
The following Chalcopterus Beetle spotted in Karawatha Forest, Queensland, is possibly a different Chalcopteroides species to the one pictured above.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Informal: Pterygotes
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
- Family: Tenebrionidae
- Informal: Tenebrionoid Branch
- Subfamily: Tenebrioninae
- Tribe: Amarygmini
- Genus: Chalcopteroides
- Species:
(Atlas of Living Australia – 114 recognised species, 22 Sept 2024)
Footnote & References
- Chalcopteroides sp © Hongming Kan
- Australasian Beetles Only, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639/
- Chalcopteroides Strand, 1935, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Chalcopteroides
ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aphanesthes succine Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Carabidae 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
InsectsInsects Life Cycle… Bees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Mantodea Moths Neuroptera Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub
