ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp 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.

Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Brisbane QLD © Hongming Kan

The following Chalcopterus Beetle spotted in Karawatha Forest, Queensland, is possibly a different Chalcopteroides species to the one pictured above.

Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Karawatha Forest QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Karawatha Forest QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Karawatha Forest QLD © Hongming Kan
Chalcopterus Beetle (Chalcopteroides sp), Karawatha Forest QLD © Hongming Kan
  • 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

  1. Chalcopteroides sp © Hongming Kan
  2. Australasian Beetles Only, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639/
  3. Chalcopteroides Strand, 1935, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/9581c0bc-e9cc-44be-ad7f-ec97b2f69fc1

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

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