Melobasis innocua Thomson, 1879 (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): 8
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.

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

Ecological attributes: — Eucalyptus viminalis is a host-plant (Cowie, 2001) — Helichrysum dendroideum is a host-plant (Cowie, 2001).

Collection method(s) for TMAG material: — Hand collection (substrate not specified) — Hand collection from Eucalyptus delegatensis — Hand collection from flowers of Cassinia aculeata — Not specified — Rearing in insectary (host not documented) — Rearing in insectary from Acacia dealbata — Rearing in insectary from Acacia mearnsii.

Source ecological literature:
Cowie, D. (2001). Jewel beetles of Tasmania: a field naturalist’s guide. Hobart: Tas. Field Naturalists Club, 41 pages.