ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Coleoptera (Beetles) Chrysomelidae (Leaf 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 Xylophilostenus octophyllus

This species of Xylophilostenus octophyllus belong to the family Scraptiidae, a small group of Tenebrionoid beetles that are sometimes called False Flower Beetles. There are about 400 species in 30 genera with a world-wide distribution. The adults beetles are found on flowers and foliage. The larvae are typically found under the bark of dead trees.5

Found this little guy stuck in my arm hair when I was up at Mt Franklin alpine forest ACT.

Source: Tony Eales1
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales

This species of Xylophilostenus octophyllus, suggested common name was Armpittus hirsutus (considering its locality)2, however due to it being the forearm hairs of the observer, it was suggested that the common name could be Radius hirsutus or Ulna hirsuta3… 😀

Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
Xylophilostenus octophyllus, Namadgi National Park, Cotter River ACT © Tony Eales
  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
  • Family: Scraptiidae
  • Subfamily: Scraptiinae
  • Genus: Xylophilostenus
  • Species: Xylophilostenus octophyllus

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs, Xylophilostenus octophyllus © Tony Eales
  2. Common name Armpittus hirsutus by Mark Newton
  3. Common name Radius hirsutus or Ulna hirsuta by Nikolas Haass
  4. Xylophilostenus octophyllus, tjeales, iNaturalist, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/195335516
  5. Australasian Beetles Only, Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639/
  6. Xylophilostenus octophyllus Lea, 1917, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/35919154-f6e0-421d-8698-e796fd985066
  7. Scraptiidae, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scraptiidae

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Coleoptera (Beetles) Chrysomelidae (Leaf 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 Xylophilostenus octophyllus

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