Melobasis sp. (genus)

Unidentified Melobasis jewel Beetle at Weetangera, ACT

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Identification history

Melobasis sp. (genus)	13 Mar 2023	KimberiRP
Melobasis sp. (genus)	25 Feb 2023	MarkH
Melobasis sordida	25 Feb 2023	AlisonMilton
Diphucrania cupripennis	24 Feb 2023	AlisonMilton

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User's notes

Found hanging on a thread of spider web.

8 comments

AlisonMilton wrote:

24 Feb 2023

@KimberiRP Kim, Do you want this for the collection? Since it was deceased I brought it home.

MarkH wrote:

24 Feb 2023

This is a Melobasis species, most likely M. sordida looking at the ventral surface.

AlisonMilton wrote:

24 Feb 2023

Thanks Mark

MarkH wrote:

25 Feb 2023

Hi Alison, this specimen cannot be verified to species level without examination under a microscope. As I mentioned it is probably Melobasis sordida however the colour of the elytra is more golden/green rather than bronze which is what is normal. As such it must remain identified to genus level only

AlisonMilton wrote:

25 Feb 2023

Thanks Mark. I have the specimen so perhaps Kim Pullen will be able to collect it to examine more closely.

entom2 wrote:

13 Mar 2023

I agree with MarkH that examination of the specimen is likely the only way to be definitive as to its species. Might it be Melobasis rothei?

MarkH wrote:

13 Mar 2023

The green sheen to the elytra and pronotum excludes rothei imo as rothei is generally dark grey to black. Sordida is lighter colour than rothei but I feel the colour of this specimen is too pale for sordida

AlisonMilton wrote:

13 Mar 2023

Hi, I should have stil had the specimen since it was deceased. I don't recall moving it or throwing it out but I now can't findit. Will continue to look.

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