Melobasis prisca 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: — Helichrysum dendroideum is a host-plant (Cowie, 2001).

Collection method(s) for TMAG material: — Hand collection from Eucalyptus viminalis — Malaise trapping — Rearing in insectary (host not documented) — Sticky trapping on Eucalyptus obliqua.

Source ecological literature:
Cowie, D. (2001). Jewel beetles of Tasmania: a field naturalist’s guide. Hobart: Tas. Field Naturalists Club, 41 pages.
Harrison, K.S. (2007). Saproxylic beetles associated with habitat features in Eucalyptus obliqua trees in the southern forests of Tasmania. PhD thesis, Dept. of Zoology, Univ. of Tasmania, Hobart.