Lamprima aurata
| Lamprima aurata | |
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| Adult male | |
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| Adult female | |
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| Species: | L. aurata
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| Binomial name | |
| Lamprima aurata Latreille, 1817
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| Synonyms | |
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Lamprima cuprea Latreille, 1817 | |
Lamprima aurata, the golden stag beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Lucanidae. In Tasmania, this species is referred to by the "common name" of Christmas beetle, a name that is normally used for beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, genus Anoplognathus.[1]
Description
This beetle has an oval, shiny body.[2] It measures between 15 and 25 mm in length. It is fairly variable in coloration, so it has been given many names by various authors.[3] The colour of the males is typically metallic golden green or yellow with colorful legs, while females may be blue, blue-green or dull brown. Females are smaller than the males, and males have larger mandibles prolonged forwards used for fighting. [4][2]
Distribution and habitat
L. aurata is native to Australia and can be found in Tasmania—mainly Victoria—and south-eastern mainland Australia in dry sclerophyll forests.[2]
Of the five species in the genus Lamprima, only two occur on the Australian mainland: L. aurata and the closely related L. imberbis, which live in northeastern New South Wales.[3]
Biology
The larvae are sapro-xylophagous and will spend two years feeding on rotting logs.[1][2] Adults are free-flying and will move about on the ground during the day and drink the nectar of flowers, especially eucalypts.[2] Males can be found on rotting logs defending their territory.[2]
Gallery
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Golden stag larva -
Illustration of male by Des Helmore
References
- ^ a b "Christmas beetle-mania is in full swing and their traits may surprise you". www.abc.net.au. December 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Lamprima aurata Latreille, 1817, Golden Stag Beetle". Museum Victoria. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ a b C.A.M. Reid, K. Smith, M. Beatson (2018) Revision of the Genus Lamprima Latreille, 1804 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Zootaxa. 4446(2); 151–202. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4446.2.1
- ^ "Golden Stag Beetle (Lamprima aurata)". Beetle Identifications. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
External links
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