Melobasis hypocrita Erichson, 1842 (a species of jewel-beetle)

Semmens, T.D., McQuillan, P.B. & Hayhurst, G. (1992). Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania. Government of Tasmania: Department of Primary Industry, 104 pp.

TMAG collections

Typical length (mm): 11
Flightedness: winged and assumed capable of flight

Source literature on morphology and taxonomy (*primary taxonomic source, where identified):
Cowie, D. (2001). Jewel beetles of Tasmania: a field naturalist’s guide. Hobart: Tas. Field. Nat. Club, 41 pages.
*Erichson, W.F. (1842). Beitrag zur Insecten-Fauna von Vandiemensland, mit besonderer Beruecksichtung der geographischen Verbreitung der Insecten. Nicolai’schen Buchhandlung 8(1): 379 pages.

Assumed larval feeding: wood-feeder
Association with dead wood or old trees: obligately saproxylic

Ecological attributes: — Eucalyptus viminalis is a host-plant (Cowie, 2001) — Pinus radiata is a host-plant (Bashford, 1990a).

Collection method(s) for TMAG material: — Hand collection (substrate not specified) — Hand collection from Eucalyptus nitens — Hand collection from Olearia lirata — Rearing in insectary (host not documented) — Rearing in insectary from Pinus radiata — Sticky trapping (substrate not specified) — Sticky trapping on Eucalyptus globulus — Sticky trapping on Eucalyptus ovata.

Source ecological literature:
Bashford, R. (1990a). Tasmanian forest insects and their host plants: records from the Tasmanian Forestry Commission insect collection. Hobart: Tas. Forestry Commission, 32 pages.
Cowie, D. (2001). Jewel beetles of Tasmania: a field naturalist’s guide. Hobart: Tas. Field Naturalists Club, 41 pages.