Paropsisterna laesa species complex

Laesa leaf beetle at Conder, ACT

Paropsisterna laesa species complex at Conder, ACT - 19 Oct 2015
Paropsisterna laesa species complex at Conder, ACT - 19 Oct 2015
Paropsisterna laesa species complex at Conder, ACT - 19 Oct 2015
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Identification history

Paropsisterna laesa species complex 31 Jan 2023 AlisonMilton
Paropsisterna sp. ("Ch11" of DeLittle 1979) 28 Sep 2016 MichaelBedingfield
Paropsisterna sp. (genus) 23 Sep 2016 KimPullen
Unidentified 22 Sep 2016 MichaelBedingfield

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User's notes

Conder, ACT; quite small 5-6mm. I reported this one on BowerBird but the best response was to genus - Paropsisterna - from Martin Lagerwey.

7 comments

KimPullen wrote:
   23 Sep 2016
The same species as that at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysophtharta_sp._(3243709426).jpg .
   23 Sep 2016
Thanks Kim. This is apparently a difficult genus.
Martin Lagerwey at BowerBird said:
"The genus paropsisterna are beetles that fade after death and the type species have been messed up. It has been researched by David deLittle who called it Paropsisterna ch11 as a reference in case its correct species name is ever determined. Paropsisterna has 122 official species and some can be seen here: https://sites.google.com/site/paropsisternapages/paropsisterna-unknown1".
The address shows more photos of the species, and gives a further reference to: https://sites.google.com/site/insectsoftaschrysomeloidea/suborder-polyphaga/chrysomelidae-leaf-beetles/subfamily-chrysomelinae/genus-paropsisterna/paropsisterna-sp-ch11-of-delittle-1979
KimPullen wrote:
   23 Sep 2016
Thanks Michael. Martin's Paropsisterna gallery is great!
   24 Sep 2016
Hi Kim
I've added the Martin's reference to the species page for Paropsisterna sp. See: http://canberranaturemap.org/Community/Species/20756

Given Martin's comments, instead of just lumping this sighting into Paropsisterna sp, could we call it Paropsisterna sp. ("Ch11" of DeLittle 1979) so it has some chance of greater clarity?
KimPullen wrote:
   28 Sep 2016
Good idea Michael. Good to distinguish it from other Paropsisterna, even if we don't have a species name for it.
   28 Sep 2016
Thanks Kim, I've renamed the sighting.
kasiaaus wrote:
   2 Jan 2021
I think this might be Paropsis charybdis.

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