Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Anoplognathus
    Species
    blackdownensis
    Subfamily
    Rutelinae
    Family
    Scarabaeidae
    Order
    Coleoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Length: 19 – 23mm

Introduction

The species name blackdownensis means “belonging to Blackdown”, where the species was discovered.


What does Anoplognathus blackdownensis look like?

Identification

Brown, with green to gold reflections on head, pronotum and scutellum; head with white hair on sides, pointing towards midline. Underside red brown; thorax with dense, long, white hair, reduced on midline; abdomen with dense, short flat, white hair, except for midline of last abdomen with dense, short, flat, white hair, except for midline of last abdomen segment. Legs red brown; mid and hind legs with long erect, white hair, tarsi dark.


  • Clypeus

    Clypeus: Narrows apically; recurved at front margin; apex square.

  • Foretibia

    Foretibia: Broad; two distinct tibial teeth.

  • Metaventral process

    Metaventral process: Absent; no projection between midcoxae; metaventrite with long, erect, white hairs.

  • Pygidium

    Pygidium: Brown; with dense, short, flat white hair and long, erect, yellow hairs along margin.



Where is Anoplognathus blackdownensis found?

Distribution

Blackdown Tableland, NSW



What species are similar to Anoplognathus blackdownensis?

Similar species

A. brunnipennis, A. daemeli

Anoplognathus blackdownensis had inward pointing setae on the lateral margins of its head, and its clypeus is without setae. Its metaventral process is absent, not short and rounded.

The species is only known from the Blackdown Tableland region, South QLD.