Insects
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Jewel beetles (Buprestidae)
Sighting 4647136

Buprestidae sp. (family)

1 Unidentified jewel beetle at Wilsons Valley, NSW

Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
Buprestidae sp. (family) at Wilsons Valley, NSW - 17 Feb 2025 03:22 PM
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Identification history

Buprestidae sp. (family) 12 Jul 2025 MarkH
Melobasis sp. (genus) 12 Jul 2025 KimberiRP
Melobasis sp. (genus) 19 Feb 2025 Harrisi
Unverified 19 Feb 2025 Miranda

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6 comments

MarkH wrote:
   19 Feb 2025
I don’t think this is a Melobasis. The shape doesn’t look right. I can’t think of anything immediately that it would be so I suspect it may be a new genus. It resembles a Torresita however it doesn’t look right as Torresita doesn’t have the ridging on the elytra so I don’t think it is that genus.
Miranda, did you collect the specimen by chance? Is it possible to get some specimens for ANIC?
Interesting plant it is on. Do you know what that is ?
Miranda wrote:
   20 Feb 2025
Wow! That's very exciting. I didn't collect it unfortunately but I'd be happy to help try and find some more. I think the plant is exocarpus strictus.
MarkH wrote:
   20 Feb 2025
That would be fantastic Miranda. Good luck 🤞
Harrisi wrote:
   27 Feb 2025
We're comin' to getcha !
entom2 wrote:
   28 Feb 2025
Hi Miranda, I agree with Mark. Closest to the genus Torresita, if not in that genus.

What would have been its length?

Certainly specimens need to be collected (if possible,,asap before the current season ends, else next season). Occurring on an Exocarpus is also interesting, so looking for more on Exocarpus could prove fruitful. Adults are likely to be (or may not be - who knows?) nectar feeders, so on sunny days also look on any flowers of plants that might still have some flower on them, mainly in Bursaria, Hakea, Grevillea, Leptospermum, and Eucalyptus. You are best to take a collecting net with you (else scoop the foliage or flowers you see one on into an upside umbrella and grab them very quickly before they fly off), and a number of screw-top pill jars with small holes punched in the lids, or small takeaway sauce containers (no need for holes in those, their lids don't seal). Place a bit of dry twig or very dry leaf in each container as well so the specimens have something to grab onto, else there is a risk that they chew their own legs and antennae off.

As well as specimens for the ANIC, like you, I would also love to photograph this species alive. If interested, please check out the book on Australian Jewel Beetles that I am a co-author of, chock full of my pics of live jewel beetles that I have photographed since 1980: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8110/

I note the observation site is within Koscuiszko National Park. While the species may occur outside of the park, if interested, I can authorise you to collect for me within the national park as I am the holder of a current scientific licence to collect in all National Parks, Nature Reserves and the like in NSW, and have the ability to authorise people to collect on my behalf.

Good hunting Miranda!

Cheers,
Allen M. Sundholm OAM
MarkH wrote:
   13 Jul 2025
It’s not a Melobasis Kimberi. See comment trail.

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