Orchid Beetle Click to enlarge image
Orchid Beetle, Stethopachys formosa Image: Andrew Donnelly
© 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
Orchid Beetle, Stethopachys formosa Image: Andrew Donnelly
© 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.



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.