Excastra is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae. It is monotypic, with only species Excastra albopilosa.[1] The beetle is furry, and is thought to have evolved to mimic an insect that's been killed by a fungus, as a way of deterring predators.[2]
| Excastra | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Cerambycidae |
| Tribe: | Desmiphorini |
| Genus: | Excastra Tweed, Ashman & Ślipiński, 2024[1] |
| Species: | E. albopilosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Excastra albopilosa Tweed, Ashman & Ślipiński, 2024[1]
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The holotype of Excastra albopilosa is the only known specimen and measures 9.7 mm (0.38 in) in total length.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Tweed, James M.H.; Ashman, Lauren G.; Ślipiński, Adam (2024). "Excastra albopilosa, a remarkable new genus and species of Lamiinae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from southeastern Queensland, Australia" (PDF). Australian Journal of Taxonomy. 54: 1–8. ISSN 2653-4649. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (21 March 2024). "Newly discovered Australian beetle almost mistaken for bird poo". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 March 2024.