Paropsisterna agricola
Paropsisterna agricola
The common mainland form of P. agricola have elytra with golden brown main colouration, in Tasmania the main colourations are grey-green or red-brown with light speckles (particularly around the scutellum). An entirely black shiny morph occurs on both the mainland and Tasmania - approximately 3% of any population (thus genetically driven). Interestingly, the original description of the species back in 1877 was based on the black morph.
The teneral (newly emerged) beetles of both colour morphs are grey-black with a red elytral and pronotal trim that fades as they age, eventually changing to either forms described above. At the reproductive stage, after overwintering, the elytral trim will be translucent light brown, finally changing to black when fully mature.
Photographed at the end of December, Chimney Pot Hill, Mt Wellington, Tasmania.
References:
Nahrung (2004) - full paper on the biology of P. agricola.
Nahrung & Allen (2005) - abstract summary of P. agricola colour polymorphism.
Murphy (2006) - full PhD paper with photos and descriptions of some Paropsisterna and Paropsis species (particularly Tassie species) placed in the appendix.
Paropsisterna agricola
Paropsisterna agricola
The common mainland form of P. agricola have elytra with golden brown main colouration, in Tasmania the main colourations are grey-green or red-brown with light speckles (particularly around the scutellum). An entirely black shiny morph occurs on both the mainland and Tasmania - approximately 3% of any population (thus genetically driven). Interestingly, the original description of the species back in 1877 was based on the black morph.
The teneral (newly emerged) beetles of both colour morphs are grey-black with a red elytral and pronotal trim that fades as they age, eventually changing to either forms described above. At the reproductive stage, after overwintering, the elytral trim will be translucent light brown, finally changing to black when fully mature.
Photographed at the end of December, Chimney Pot Hill, Mt Wellington, Tasmania.
References:
Nahrung (2004) - full paper on the biology of P. agricola.
Nahrung & Allen (2005) - abstract summary of P. agricola colour polymorphism.
Murphy (2006) - full PhD paper with photos and descriptions of some Paropsisterna and Paropsis species (particularly Tassie species) placed in the appendix.