Jewel beetles (Buprestidae)

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References for Jewel Beetles (family Buprestidae): https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/

And a photo gallery for the family: https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/buprestidae-gallery

This gallery can be searched by genus, for example, Castiarina:

https://sites.google.com/site/buprestidpages/castiarina-gallery

Another good gallery for Castiarina: http://www.virtual-beetle.com/castiarinafp.html

Jewel beetles (Buprestidae)

Moderators

MichaelMulvaney

AlisonMilton

Amata

DiBickers

Harrisi

MarkH

entom2

KylieWaldon

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Discussion

entom2 wrote:

4 hrs ago

Given the disparity of specimens which are patently different species attributed in iNat etc to this species, the disjunct distributions of their known populations (which may be a function of localised collecting effort), and importantly the lack of a comprehensive modern revision (requiring careful comparison with types), I would not be surprised if maculate-patterned species such as this prove to comprise several species. Let's hope that some competent person (or persons) will engage in the long-overdue revision of this interesting genus sooner than later. Cheers, Allen M. Sundholm.

Ethonion reichei

HelenCross wrote:

23 Sep 2025

Will do, thanks Mark

Castiarina parallela

MarkH wrote:

23 Sep 2025

Hi Helen, rather than posting on the Buprestidae-Jewel Beetles site you can ask for ID’s on the Australasian Beetles Only site. Cheers

Castiarina parallela

AlisonMilton wrote:

10 Sep 2025

Thanks Mark

Melobasis sp. (genus)

MarkH wrote:

10 Sep 2025

This is possibly Melobasis naias rather than M. obscurella which is what this early acacia flower inhabiting species is normally identified as. The size is quite small and the golden colour is very much like M. naias.
I would suggest that any of the golden green specimens may be M. naias while all of the M. obscurella I have seen before are more blue-green. Their overall size is fairly similar as are the other external characters.
It would be worth someone checking ANIC for identified specimens of both species to ensure that all NatureMapr specimens are correctly identified as M. obscurella rather than being M. naias.

Melobasis sp. (genus)