G. it. Ent., 6 (30): 53-58
April 30, 1992
Review of the biology and host plants of the
Australian longicorn beetle Scolecobrotus westwoodi Hope
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
by
TREVOR J. HAWKESWOOD
Abstract - The adult and larval host / food plants of the Australian longicorn beetle Scolecobrotus westwoodi Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) are reviewed from the published literature and from recent personal observations of the author. Larvae feed in the dead wood of several species from the genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) but there is an unsubstantiated record of mistletoe, presumably Amyema sp. (Loranthaceae) being a host which needs verification. However, the available data suggest that the beetle is monophagic at the plant genus level. The recorded larval hosts are Eucalyptus globulus Labill., E. gummifera (Gaertn.) Hochr., E. intermedia R. T. Baker and E. melliodora A. Cunn. Some records from unidentified Eucalyptus species are also listed. The record of Eucalyptus gracilis F. Muell. as a larval host is regarded as a misidentification and that the species should be E. calycogona Turcz. The biology of the adults is poorly known but they have been recorded on the flowers of Leptospermum sp. and Eucalyptus ochrophloia F. Muell. (Myrtaceae) during the day an to lights at night. Published descriptions on the larva and adult are also reviewed.
