Orchid Beetle
Scientific name: Stethopachys formosa
Click to enlarge image
Orchid Beetle, Stethopachys formosa
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Stethopachys
- Species
- formosa
- Subfamily
- Criocerinae
- Family
- Chrysomelidae
- Super Family
- Chrysomeloidea
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 1 cm
Orchid Beetle, Stethopachys formosa
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
The Orchid Beetle is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae), which is one of the largest beetle families with approximately 3,000 Australian species. At least 250 of these occur in the Sydney area.
Identification
Most leaf beetles are colourful.
Habitat
The Orchid Beetle lives in urban areas, commercial nurseries and open woodlands.
Distribution
The Orchid Beetle lis found in New South Wales and Queensland.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
The Orchid Beetle feeds on the leaves and flowers of orchids.
Economic impacts
Some leaf beetles are serious commercial pests. The Orchid Beetle is of concern to amateur and commercial gardeners as it feeds on the leaves and flowers of orchids, leaving them disfigured and unattractive.
