Anoplognathus sp. (genus)

3 Unidentified Christmas beetle at Melba, ACT

Anoplognathus sp. (genus) at Melba, ACT - 13 Dec 2020
Anoplognathus sp. (genus) at Melba, ACT - 13 Dec 2020
Anoplognathus sp. (genus) at Melba, ACT - 13 Dec 2020
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Identification history

Anoplognathus sp. (genus) 25 Dec 2023 HaukeKoch
Anoplognathus sp. (genus) 22 Dec 2023 HaukeKoch
Anoplognathus pindarus 30 Dec 2020 MichaelMulvaney
Anoplognathus pindarus 29 Dec 2020 KimPullen
Unidentified 28 Dec 2020 kasiaaus

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6 comments

HaukeKoch wrote:
   16 Jun 2023
Hi @KimPullen and @MichaelMulvaney,
I am part of a citizen science project with Invertebrates Australia on Christmas Beetle recording over at iNaturalist. This observation has peaked my interest, as this species has very few recent records, and this may also be the only picture of a living individual as far as I can tell. As I haven't seen this species myself so far, I was wondering what made you come to the conclusion that this is A. pindarus, and not perhaps A. porosus. The shape of the clypeus and the dark puntures on the elytra look quite like A. porosus to me (and that species is sometimes quite reddish brown in the Canberra area from what I have seen so far). Not saying you are wrong, just trying to learn myself what to look out for in A. pindarus.
Cheers,

Hauke
   17 Jun 2023
Thanks Hauke - I don't claim to have expertise in Christmas beetle ID but identified this a A. pindarus following Ki's suggestion and after gauging the images against the lucid key of Christmas Beetles of NSW. I think the key feature of difference was the dense recumbent white setae of the pygidial, which admittedly is only partially visible in photo 2. Happy to go with what you and Kim decide re ID.
While Naturemapr records do go to the Atlas of Living Australia, you may find value to your project in downloading the 230 odd christmas beetle records directly (thou for 53 of these sighting they have only be IDed to the species level) - let me know if you need help doing this

Cheers Michael Mulvaney
HaukeKoch wrote:
   17 Jun 2023
Thanks for getting back to me, Michael!
The view of the pygidium isn't great (as you say), but I think I can make out a line of white setae through the centre from top to bottom, with the adjacent areas being bare. If I am not misinterpreting the image, that would also speak for A. porosus, as A. pindarus is supposed to only have very few, scattered setae on the pygidium. Would be great to hear from Kim to get his opinion.
Thanks for your suggestion on downloading the observations, we may do so. By the way, NatureMapr is currently still using A. chloropyrus as a valid name, which should now regarsded as a junior synonym of A. brunnipennis (see: https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4908.2.4). Confusingly, what was called A. brunnipennis before should now instead be A. flavipennis. Is there a way to update the taxonomy on NatureMapr?
Best,
Hauke
   17 Jun 2023
Thanks Hauke is is very easy to update the taxonomy - but we try to stay consistent with the Atlas of Living Australia to ease the transfer of data, so will have to wait till ALA catches up with the changes. I have set it up so that if somebody searches on A. brunnipennis they are taken to the A. chloropyrus records andI have also included the information you provided within the information on teh species. Thanks again - I think Kim may be away so might be a few weeks before he can respond.
HaukeKoch wrote:
   22 Dec 2023
Had a look at the A. pindarus specimens in ANIC and am more convinced now that this isn't A. pindarus, but likely A. porosus. The white setae on the pygidium speak against A. pindarus. The clypeus tends to be broader and more rounded at the apex. The elytral apices also don't seem to be as drawn out in A. pindarus. The second and third tooth on the fore tibia also seems to be broader and better developed in A. pindarus (though can be worn off).
   24 Dec 2023
Thanks Hauke

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 44 - image sightings only

Cermatulus nasalis (Predatory shield bug, Glossy shield bug) at Melba, ACT - 16 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Ichneumonidae (family) (Unidentified ichneumon wasp) at Melba, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Sidnia kinbergi (Australian crop mirid) at Melba, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Apolinus lividigaster (Yellow Shouldered Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Caedicia simplex (Common Garden Katydid) at Melba, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Parapalaeosepsis plebeia (Ant fly) at Melba, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Amegilla (Zonamegilla) asserta (Blue Banded Bee) at Melba, ACT - 10 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Braconidae (family) (Unidentified braconid wasp) at Melba, ACT - 7 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Trigonospila sp. (genus) (A Bristle Fly) at Melba, ACT - 7 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Melba, ACT - 4 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Epilachna sumbana (A Leaf-eating Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 4 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Melba, ACT - 4 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 4 Mar 2024 by kasiaaus
Lucilia cuprina (Australian sheep blowfly) at Melba, ACT - 18 Feb 2024 by kasiaaus
Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 18 Feb 2024 by kasiaaus
Epilachna sumbana (A Leaf-eating Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 18 Feb 2024 by kasiaaus
Papilio anactus (Dainty Swallowtail) at Melba, ACT - 18 Feb 2024 by kasiaaus
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Melba, ACT - 18 Feb 2024 by kasiaaus
Culicidae (family) (A mosquito) at Melba, ACT - 11 Jan 2024 by kasiaaus
Camponotus aeneopilosus (A Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Melba, ACT - 26 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia saxosa at Melba, ACT - 25 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Chlenias nodosus (A geometer moth) at Melba, ACT - 25 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Chlenias ochrocrana (White-point Crest-moth) at Melba, ACT - 24 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia (genus) ADULT (A Case moth) at Melba, ACT - 23 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Isotenes miserana (Orange Fruit Borer) at Melba, ACT - 23 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Melba, ACT - 22 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia saxosa at Melba, ACT - 20 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia saxosa at Melba, ACT - 20 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Chlenias nodosus (A geometer moth) at Melba, ACT - 20 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Thrincophora impletana (a Tortrix moth) at Melba, ACT - 19 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Chlenias banksiaria group (A Geometer moth) at Melba, ACT - 18 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Holocola (genus) (Olethreutinae) at Melba, ACT - 17 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia saxosa at Melba, ACT - 17 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Monopis icterogastra (Wool Moth) at Melba, ACT - 17 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Hoplostega ochroma (a Eulechria Group moth) at Melba, ACT - 16 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Capusa stenophara (Dusky Wedge-moth) at Melba, ACT - 14 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Capua intractana (A Tortricid moth) at Melba, ACT - 5 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Ectropis excursaria (Common Bark Moth) at Melba, ACT - 4 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Leptocroca sanguinolenta (A Concealer moth) at Melba, ACT - 3 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Drepanacra binocula (Notched brown lacewing) at Melba, ACT - 3 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Lepidoscia adelopis, annosella and similar species (A Case moth) at Melba, ACT - 2 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Gelechioidea (superfamily) (Unidentified Gelechioid moth) at Melba, ACT - 2 Jun 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus silvanus (Pale Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 27 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Simplicia armatalis (Crescent Moth) at Melba, ACT - 27 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Melba, ACT - 26 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oecophoridae provisional group 5 at Melba, ACT - 26 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Epyaxa subidaria (Subidaria Moth) at Melba, ACT - 26 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Melba, ACT - 26 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus dirempta (Variable Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 25 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Epyaxa sodaliata (Sodaliata Moth, Clover Moth) at Melba, ACT - 25 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Dasygaster padockina (Tasmanian Cutworm) at Melba, ACT - 25 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Carposina undescribed species (A Fruitworm moth (Family Carposinidae)) at Melba, ACT - 23 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Tortricinae (subfamily) (A tortrix moth) at Melba, ACT - 23 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Metasia pharisalis (A Crambid moth) at Melba, ACT - 23 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Bondia nigella (A Fruitworm moth (Family Carposinidae)) at Melba, ACT - 22 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Epiphyas caryotis (A Tortricid moth) at Melba, ACT - 21 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Diarsia intermixta (Chevron Cutworm, Orange Peel Moth.) at Melba, ACT - 21 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Eccymatoge fulvida (A geometer moth) at Melba, ACT - 20 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Chlenias banksiaria group (A Geometer moth) at Melba, ACT - 19 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Ectropis (genus) (An engrailed moth) at Melba, ACT - 17 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus silvanus (Pale Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 17 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Constrictana group constrictana at Melba, ACT - 15 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Thrincophora impletana (a Tortrix moth) at Melba, ACT - 14 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus silvanus (Pale Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 14 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Diarsia intermixta (Chevron Cutworm, Orange Peel Moth.) at Melba, ACT - 14 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Epyaxa sodaliata (Sodaliata Moth, Clover Moth) at Melba, ACT - 14 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Euphronarcha luxaria (Striated Bark Moth) at Melba, ACT - 13 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Nola paromoea (Divided Tuft-moth) at Melba, ACT - 13 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Leucania diatrecta (A Noctuid moth) at Melba, ACT - 13 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Zelleria cynetica (Rectangular Ermine Moth) at Melba, ACT - 12 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Tortricinae (subfamily) (A tortrix moth) at Melba, ACT - 12 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Eutorna tricasis (A Depressariid moth) at Melba, ACT - 11 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Simplicia armatalis (Crescent Moth) at Melba, ACT - 11 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Chenuala heliaspis (Rose Anthelid) at Melba, ACT - 11 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Tortricinae (subfamily) (A tortrix moth) at Melba, ACT - 10 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Crocidosema plebejana (Cotton Tipworm Moth) at Melba, ACT - 10 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Melba, ACT - 10 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Opogona omoscopa (Detritus Moth) at Melba, ACT - 10 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Plesanemma fucata (Lemon Gum Moth) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Halone sejuncta (Variable Halone) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Ectropis fractaria (Ringed Bark Moth) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Metasia pharisalis (A Crambid moth) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Proteuxoa microspila (Little Noctuid) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Fisera perplexata (Light-tan Crest-moth) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Ceromitia (genus) (A Fairy moth) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Cystopelta sp. (genus) (Unidentified Cystopelta Slug) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Blastobasis (genus) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Spoladea recurvalis (Beet Webworm) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Proteuxoa tibiata (Horseshoe Noctuid) at Melba, ACT - 9 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Thrincophora lignigerana (A Tortricid moth) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Monomachus antipodalis (A parasitic wasp) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus dirempta (Variable Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Rentinus dilatatus (Fulgorid planthopper) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Agrotis porphyricollis (Variable Cutworm) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oxycanus dirempta (Variable Oxycanus) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Proteuxoa tibiata (Horseshoe Noctuid) at Melba, ACT - 8 May 2022 by kasiaaus
Poecilasthena pulchraria (Australian Cranberry Moth) at Melba, ACT - 7 May 2022 by kasiaaus

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