Australozonitis lutea (Oil beetle)
Family Meloidae, subfamily Nemognathinae
These beetles are parasitoids of native bees. Eggs are laid on flowers; the first-stage larvae are very active and attach themselves to visiting bees in order to gain access to the bee's nest. Once in the nest, they moult to a fat, sluggish form and consume the bee larva as well as the food provisions of honey and nectar. Adults feed on nectar.
