Parisopalpus nigronotatus, known by its common name, the spotted lax beetle, is a species of false blister beetles. It was first identified by Carl Henrik Boheman in 1858, under the name Nacerdes nigronotata.[1] Native to eastern Australia, the species was introduced to New Zealand in 1931.
| Parisopalpus nigronotatus | |
|---|---|
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| Introduced Parisopalpus nigronotatus seen in West Auckland, New Zealand | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Oedemeridae |
| Genus: | Parisopalpus |
| Species: | P. nigronotatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Parisopalpus nigronotatus Boheman, 1858
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editParisopalpus nigronotatus is generally coloured brick-red, with dark spots found on the beetle's body and legs. The species is densely covered with pale hair. The beetle is typically between 8.7 and 12.2 mm in length.[2]
Parisopalpus nigronotatus can be told apart from other species of Parisopalpus by the presence of at least two dark spots on the beetle's body.[2]
Distribution
editParisopalpus nigronotatus is found in eastern Australia, south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.[3] It was introduced to New Zealand in 1931,[4] and is found in Nelson and the North Island.[2]
The species has been intercepted by biosecurity in Chile.[5]
Behaviour
editThe beetles lay their eggs in mangroves.[4] Grubs of the species are typically found in rotting wood, and as adults the beetles feed on nectar and pollen, and are attracted to light.[6]
The beetles secrete a toxic substance as a defense, which causes skin blisters in humans if touched.[4][6]
References
edit- ^ Boheman, C.H. (1858). Kongliga Svenska Fregatten Eugenies resa omkring Jorden aren 1851-53. Vol. II. Stockholm: Norstedt.
- ^ a b c Hudson, Logan P (1975). "A systematic revision of the New Zealand Oedemeridae (Coleoptera, Insecta)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 5 (3): 227–274. doi:10.1080/03036758.1975.10421850. ISSN 0303-6758.
- ^ "Parisopalpus nigronotatus ( Boheman , 1858)". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Baird, Alex (17 January 2017). "The 'blister beetle' parents should watch out for". Newshub. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Švihila, V; Fischer, FR (2012). "Parisopalpus defoei sp. nov. from Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile, the first known species of the genus from the Neotropical Region (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae)". Zootaxa. 3394 (1): 31–34. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.3394.1.3. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ a b "Spotted lax beetle". Landcare Research. Retrieved 10 January 2023.