| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| loongfah |
Posted - 10/04/2013 : 17:39:23
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In our local mangrove guide, this long horned beetle is reported to cut discs into the trunks of dead or sick Excoecaria agallocha (Buta Buta) trees.
However, I have some doubt about its identity.
Is this an Acalolepta? |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Francesco |
Posted - 06/11/2017 : 09:23:15
Both specimens belong to A. mixta and have been mentioned in the:
"Taxonomic notes on Acalolepta mixta (Hope, 1841) and Acalolepta vastator (Newman, 1847) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Wallacea III: 581-586 + Pl. 125".
Article available here. |
| Francesco |
Posted - 13/04/2013 : 20:28:11
According to my paper about the Solomon Cerambycofauna (Vitali & Casadio, 2007):
"The larva attacks Excoecaria agallocha L., Euphorbiaceae (DUFFY, 1963) and Theobroma cacao L., Sterculiaceae (BREUNING, 1944), a plant through which it has probably been imported by man on the Solomons."
Another publication Loong Fah?  |
| loongfah |
Posted - 13/04/2013 : 19:23:33
Thanks, Francesco.
The range of A. mixta could be much wider indeed, as the host tree Excoecaria agallocha is widely distributed from India to Australia. The tree is also heavily protected by milky latex (the vernacular name here is Blind-your-eye), so I suppose not too many insects can compete with A. mixta for its use. |
| Francesco |
Posted - 13/04/2013 : 12:46:45
I'd say yes, but I am not sure about its identity.
There are no many Acalolepta-species with bi-spined elytral apex. I know:
A. mixta (Hope, 1841) from Australia and Solomon (below),
A. savoensis Breuning, 1979 from Savo (probably synonym of the previous) and
A. bispinosa Breuning, 1935 from Annam (wrong locality according to its descriptor).
Acalolepta mixta (Hope, 1841)
I think all species are synonyms of A. mixta, a species considered as a pest in Australia (and sometimes introduced elsewhere). |
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