Taxonomic and ecological studies of the Tasmanian Eucalyptus-defoliating paropsids (coleoptera: chrysomelidae), with particular reference to Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier)

TL;DRAbstract

This study investigates the taxonomy and ecological relationships of the Tasmanian Eucalyptus-defoliating paropsid beetles of the family Chrysomelidae. In particular, the host-plant relationships, life history and population ecology of Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier) a major forest pest in Tasmania, are investigated. A survey of eucalypt forest and woodland over much of the island revealed the presence of at least thirty-six paropsid species which fed on the foliage of eucalypts. These species belonged to five genera, viz: Paropsis Olivier (sensu stricto) (nine species), Trachymela Weise (eight species), Chrysophtharta Weise (thirteen species), Paropsisterna Motschulsky (three species) and Sterromela Weise (three, or possibly four species). All species were described and indicated by a code, but it was only possible to positively identify twenty-three species. No attempt was made to name new species, since it was considered that in the absence of a recent revision of the entire par

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