A Weevil?

For several weeks, I've noticed a squadron of these insects congregating under my porch light. I think they might be living under my woodbox, a recycled crate sitting on a couple of offcuts to keep it off the ground. By daylight, they have disappeared.

Body length would be about 8mm.

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The closest I could come up with was a weevil thanks to Peter Chew's excellent site, Brisbane Insects.

Suggestions welcome, as usual.

4th Ladybird Species

..........and possibly a 5th! :-)

These are far from good images, taken one-handed as I tried to steady the parsley flower heads against the constant wind yesterday. I wanted some sort of 'recognisable' images for my records, because these tiny beasties might not be around when the wind eventually abates.
Both species approximately 2.5 to 3mm (maybe!)

The first 2 photos I believe may be of Diomus notescens or the "Minute Spotted Ladybird"
Family: Coccinellidae
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This one is taken against my hand. Blame the wind for that! :-)
I "think" it might be Archegleis sp. There is so little information about distribution and approximate size out there, I am guessing with this one. It was about the same size - maybe a bit smaller than Diomus notescens.


Family: Coccinellidae

3rd Ladybird Species

Hippodamia variegata - the Spotted Amber Ladybird or White Collared Ladybird.

Although a native of Europe, this is a very useful pest control agent. Tests have been carried out to determine the benefit of this species to the horticultural industry, particularly greenhouses, as a biological control for aphids, mites, thrips and whitefly.

These ones (and there were several) were on my parsley which, as you will note, is going to seed! :-)

I've set myself a task to search for and photograph other ladybird species in the garden this year.

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Score-card so far:-

Family: Coccinellidae:

Harmonia conformis
Cocinella transversalis
Hippodamia variegata

A Big HELLO.......

........from Vic. to Tas. :-)

Couldn't have Mosura's Ladybird getting lonely!

This one was trundling around on my wall the other day. I actually moved it to my standard roses where it could perform its little functions in a familiar environment!

Don't you just love 'em!

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Order: COLEOPTERA
Coccinella transversalis

I'm Confused.......

......but I bet this invertebrate knows exactly which family it belongs to!

It looks as though it should be Cerambycidae sp (Longicorn) except for two small issues. The dark tufts on 2nd antennal segment and an apparent lack of antennal spines.

It measured approximately 3cm. Perhaps a little over.

Anyone know what it is?

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UPDATE: I've just come up for air having gone through A to Z of a massive Cerambycid database but found no Longicorns with antennal tufting like this one. I wonder if the tufts are temporary, seasonal?

It's possible my Longicorn might be Cnemoplites edulis (Newman) commonly known as the Mallee Witchetygrub - but then again! They both seem to have a similar dorsal stripe but antennal segments might not be quite right.

I might see if the Museum of Victoria can offer a suggestion. :-)

Scarabaeidae

A couple of beetles got in on the act last night as I attempted some serious mothing. It was unusually warm and still till about 9.30pm when everything went pear-shaped as a strong south-westerly wind came roaring in.

I did manage a few moths and will post images as soon as I try to identify them.

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I think this is the African Black Beetle (Heteronychus arator) as it was quite smooth compared to a cousin, Adoryphoris coutonii. There is another way to distinguish between the two but the angle of this photo does not permit. Neither have a particularly good reputation around the horticultural traps! :-)



"Shall We Dance?"



This one crawled onto my mothing sheet. I am unable to identify it after wading through several sites including CSIRO, so if anyone knows, please advise. It might not even be a member of the Scarab family.

UPDATE: (Thanks Mosura.) CSIRO's description seems to fit this beetle like a glove. It is most likely to be Ormogus sp (Family: Trogidae)

Duncan can have his Carrion Beetles, I will enjoy my Carcass Beetles! :-)

Temporary Captive

Acting on a call for help from Denis a day ago with regard to identification of his little bug, my subsequent research led me to think it could have been the larva of a native Ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) commonly known as the Mealybug Ladybird. Larvae of this species mimic their prey. This Ladybird is native to NSW and Qld.

I also looked at centipedes and I suspect Chris' identification of a really immature House Centipede (Scutigerid) is most likely the correct one.

It's a bit ironic that I found this Common Spotted Ladybird (Harmonia conformis) on my bathroom window today!

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Yes - it was released onto my rose garden the instant our photo session ceased!

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Coccinellidae