Duck Billed Beetle, Anoplognathus montanus
A. viriditarsis, A. rhinastus
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Anoplognathus
- Species
- montanus
- Subfamily
- Rutelinae
- Family
- Scarabaeidae
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- Length: 23 - 31 mm
Introduction
The species name montanus means “montane”, referring to its earliest recognition from the Dividing Range.
The common name “Duck Billed Beetle” was provided by Diana F.
What does Anoplognathus montanus look like?
Identification
Yellow to red brown, with golden green to purple reflections; head, pronotum and scutellum often darker with stronger reflections then elytra. Underside dark to black; thorax with dense, long, white hair, expect on midline, sometimes sparse, white hairs on metaventral process; abdomen with band of short, flat, white hair across each segment. Legs red brown; tarsi black.
Clypeus
Clypeus: Long; evenly contracted in middle; recurved; front margin slightly flared.
Foretibia
Foretibia: Broad; three distinct tibial teeth.
Metaventral process
Metaventral process: Flat; often with short, flat, white hairs, apex reaching forecoxae.
Pygidium
Pygidium: Red brown; quite smooth; with very few short, yellow hairs and a long yellow anal tuft.
Where is Anoplognathus montanus found?
Distribution
South East Australia; Toowoomba, QLD
What species are similar to Anoplognathus montanus?
Similar species
A. viriditarsis, A. rhinastus
Anoplognathus montanus has dense, continuous bands of short, white setae across the basal margin of its sternites, not restricted to sides or at most with only a single, dotted row along the middle of each.
It is also similar to A. macleayi and A. narmarus, however these species are known from central Australian, and rarely have any colourful reflections.
