Chance sighting reveals new species of fluffy beetle
A researcher from The University of Queensland has discovered a remarkable new genus of fluffy longhorn beetle while camping within rainforest in the Gold Coast hinterland.
The freshly named Excastra albopilosa was found by School of the Environment PhD candidate James Tweed, who nearly mistook the beetle for bird droppings.
“I was walking through the campsite at Binna Burra Lodge one morning and something on a Lomandra leaf caught my eye,” Mr Tweed said.
“To my amazement, I saw the most extraordinary and fluffiest longhorn beetle I had ever seen.
“Measuring 9.7 millimetres, it was a striking red and black beauty covered in long white hairs.”
After the trip, Mr Tweed searched through books, scientific papers and online to find a match for the species but nothing looked remotely similar.
Photos posted to an Australasian beetles Facebook group sparked plenty of interest but no answers from even the most seasoned identifiers.
An email to experts at the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) in Canberra confirmed the beetle was a completely new species.
It wasn’t until Mr Tweed visited ANIC to compare his discovery to their extensive collection that everyone realised it was not just a new species, but a new genus – or family of species – as well.
“We chose the name Excastra for the genus, which is Latin for ‘from the camp’, and for the species name, we decided on albopilosa which translates to ‘white and hairy’,” Mr Tweed said.
“We don’t yet know what these hairs are for, but our primary theory is that they make the insect look like it’s been killed by an insect-killing fungus.
“This would possibly deter predators such as birds from eating it, but until someone can find more specimens and study this species further, we won’t be able to say for sure why this beetle is so hairy.
“The area near Lamington National Park has been popular with entomologists for more than 100 years so it’s puzzling that it hasn’t been found until now.
“I’ve been back several times to look for more of them but haven’t had any luck.”
PhD candidate James Tweed conducting field work.
PhD candidate James Tweed conducting field work.
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
Image: Lingzi Zhou, Australian National Insect Collection
PhD candidate James Tweed was on a field trip when he discovered the new species of beetle.
PhD candidate James Tweed was on a field trip when he discovered the new species of beetle.
James Tweed in Lamington National Park, near where he found the beetle.
James Tweed in Lamington National Park, near where he found the beetle.
Mr Tweed said chance discoveries like these highlight how many unknown species could be out there and how many of those could be under threat from extinction.
“We’re experiencing rapid declines in biodiversity globally, and it’s difficult to conserve species if we don’t even know they exist,” Mr Tweed said.
“Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet but are also the most underappreciated and understudied.
“Best estimates suggest there may be 5.5 million insect species worldwide and only one-fifth of these have been named and described.”
Binna Burra Lodge Chair, Steve Noakes said the site had been home to many scientific endeavours.
“Binna Burra Lodge is delighted to continue its support of a wide variety of fascinating scientific projects, and this discovery of a new genus of beetle is another in a long line of amazing discoveries on the site,” Mr Noakes said.
The paper was published in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy.
Media: James Tweed, j.tweed@uq.edu.au, +61 423 214 866; Faculty of Science Media, science.media@uq.edu.au, +61 438 162 687.
Built with Shorthand