G. it. Ent., 5 (27): 239-242
April 30, 1991
Review of the biology and host plants of the Australian
jewel beetle Neocuris gracilis Macleay
(Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
by
TREVOR J. HAWKESWOOD
Abstract - The general biology and host plants of the Australian jewel beetle Neocuris gracilis Macleay (Buprestidae) are reviewed from the literature and recent observations of the author. Adults are apparently nectar feeders upon the flowers of the Myrtaceae. The 7 recorded adult food plants are as follows: Angophora woodsiana F. M. Bail., Backhousia myrtifolia Hook. f. et Harv., Baeckea stenophylla F. Muell., Leptospermum attenuatum Sm., L. flavescens Sm., L. juniperinum Sm. and L. whitei E. Cheel (all Myrtaceae). Due to inadequate evidence, the published record of Actinotus helianthi DC. (Apiaceae) as an adult food plant, is disregarded here pending further observations on this purported association. There is only one recorded larval host plant: Pultenaea villosa Willd. (Fabaceae) from Queensland. It is interesting to note that the adults do not have a trophic association with the larval host plant, at least in the Brisbane area, Queensland.
