Paropsisterna sp > Paropsisterna Index | P. beata | P. sexpustulata
— see Paropsine Beetle

Paropsisterna sexpustulata is sometimes mistaken for Paropsisterna beata. Whilst the three blotches on the elytra are similar, in Paropsisterna beata, the front mark (blotch) has a more or less triangular shape and there is a wide red lateral border on the elytra. Paropsisterna sexpustulata has no red lateral border.

P. beata with two conjoined sub apical spots represent the population south of Sydney. P. beata var. rubrosignata is not technically a subspecies. P. rubrosignata was (incorrectly) synonymized by Blackburn. It is unique and the species should be resurrected one day. Until then, they both have only one name.1

Image:
1. Paropsisterna beata, Acton ACT © Tony Eales;
2. Paropsisterna sexpustulata, Brisbane QLD © Stefan Jones

Paropsisterna beata, Acton ACT © Tony Eales
Paropsisterna beata, Acton ACT © Tony Eales
Paropsisterna sexpustulata, Brisbane QLD © Stefan Jones
Paropsisterna sexpustulata, Brisbane QLD © Stefan Jones

This beetle is Paropsisterna beata – no doubt a long lost cousin of P. sexpustulata. Blackburn (1898) noted how similar they are when discussing the latter:

“I do not find much difference between it and beata, Newm., apart from the markings of the elytra. They consist of a large roundish blotch near the base and two smaller ones of somewhat similar form placed transversely near the apex. In beata (and all its vars.) the front blotch is more or less triangular (its apex near the lateral margin) and the elytra have a wide red lateral border. As I have seen no examples that can be called intermediate, I think the two may be considered distinct.”

There are variations seen in P. beata but apparently the shape of the two large front blotches and the red elytral trim are consistent – the latter character particularly helpful in distinguishing the two species as P. sexpustulata has no such red trim.2

Paropsisterna beata, Acton ACT © Tony Eales
Paropsisterna beata, Acton ACT © Tony Eales
Paropsisterna sexpustulata, Brisbane QLD © Stefan Jones
Paropsisterna sexpustulata, Brisbane QLD © Stefan Jones
  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea
  • Family: Chrysomelidae
  • Subfamily: Chrysomelinae
  • Genus: Paropsisterna
  • Species:
    • Paropsisterna beata
    • Paropsisterna sexpustulata

Footnote & References

  1. Chrysomelidae (comment on post), by Martin Lagerwey, member of Australasian Beetles Only, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639/posts/1994822927634437/
  2. Leaf Beetle Paropsisterna beata (see comments on Flickr), Andy Burton Oz, Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/burtonandy/4578411278/

Paropsisterna spParopsisterna Index Paropsisterna beata Paropsisterna fastidiosa Paropsisterna m-fuscum Paropsisterna pictipes Paropsisterna sexpustulata

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Neospades sp 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