G. it. Ent., 8 (46): 327-334
August 31, 1997
Taxonomy and biology of the Australian longicorn beetle,
Aridaeus thoracicus (Donovan)
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
by
TREVOR J. HAWKESWOOD & JAMES R. TURNER
Abstract - The adult and larval host/food plants of the Australian longicorn beetle, Aridaeus thoracicus (Donovan) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Heteropsini) are reviewed from the literature and recent personal observations of the first author. Descriptions of the larva, pupa and adult are also provided. Adults of A. thoracicus feed upon the nectar and/or pollen of a wide variety of native flowering shrubs and trees in eastern Australia during the summer months. A total of 28 adult food plant species are recorded from the families Xanthorrhoeaceae (2 spp.), Elaeocarpaceae (1 sp.), Myrtaceae (24 spp.) and Pittosporaceae (1 sp.). Larvae feed on the dead wood of several native and introduced trees or shrubs from the families Anacardiaceae (Schinus), Avicenniaceae (Avicennia), Caesalpiniaceae (Caesalpinia, Delonix), Casuarinaceae (Casuarina), Ebenaceae (Diospyros), Lauraceae (Cryptocarya), Mimosaceae (Acacia), Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus), Platanaceae (Platanus), Rosaceae (Pyrus) and Rutaceae (Citrus).
