Cashew Beetle, Anoplognathus pallidicollus
A. concolor, A. rugosus, A. chloropyrus.
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Anoplognathus
- Species
- pallidicollus
- Subfamily
- Rutelinae
- Family
- Scarabaeidae
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- Length: 18 – 24mm
Introduction
The species name pallidicollis means “pale neck”, referring to the colour of its pronotum.
The common name “Cashew Beetle” was provided by Jordan Le Breux.
What does the Cashew Beetle look like?
Identification
Pale to yellow brown, elytra with lightly pigmented punctures, often forming irregular lines. Underside red brown; thorax with dense, long, erect, white hair, except on midline; abdomen with short, flat, white hair, except on wide midline. Legs red brown; tarsi dark.
Clypeus
Clypeus: Contracted before apex; front margin abruptly recurved; apex square.
Foretibia
Foretibia: Three distinct tibial teeth.
Metaventral process
Metaventral process: Flat; sometimes with sparse, short, white hairs at sides; apex reaching forecoxae.
Pygidium
Pygidium: Red brown; with dense, short, flat white hairs.
Where is the Cashew Beetle found?
Distribution
Eastern Australian, from Cairns, Queensland to Victoria.
What species are similar to Cashew Beetle?
Similar species
A. concolor, A. rugosus, A. chloropyrus.
Anoplognathus pallidicollus is uniformly brown, with no strong, colourful reflections or iridescent, and without patchy or mottled elytra. It may have lightly pigmented punctures on its elytra, but these are not dark and do not form distinct irregular lines. Punctures and setae are often highly variable, so it is important to check other features for proper identification.
