Anoplognathus velutinus
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Anoplognathus
- Species
- velutinus
- Subfamily
- Rutelinae
- Family
- Scarabaeidae
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- Length: 22 – 30 mm
Introduction
The species name velutinus means “velvety” referring to its distinctive covering of short, flat hairs.
The common name “Hairy Spotted Beetle” was provided by Natalie Wright.
What does Anoplognathus velutinus look like?
Identification
Yellow-brown to red-brown, rarely black; elytra with a black spot in the middle, rarely a long black mark; entire body distinctively speckled with short, flat, white hairs. Underside dark brown; thorax covered in dense, long, erect, off-white hair; abdomen with dense, short, flat, white hair. Legs brown; femurs and tibia with dense, long, erect, off-white hair, shorter on foretibia; tarsi dark.
Clypeus
Clypeus: Strongly contracted at middle; slightly flaring at apex; recurved at front margin; with dense, short, erect, white hair behind front margin.
Foretibia
Foretibia: Two distinct tibial teeth.
Metaventral process
Metaventral process: Slightly curved; with dense, long, erect, off-white hair, ap[ex reaching forecoxae.
Pygidium
Pygidium: Brown; smooth surface texture; with short, flat, white hairs, and fine, long, erect, yellow hairs.
Where is Anoplognathus velutinus found?
Distribution
South East Australia, from Caloundra, QLD, to Melbourne, VIC.
What species are similar to Anoplognathus velutinus?
Similar species
Anoplognathus velutinus is an extremely distinct species. Colour and markings can vary from brown to black, but it always has a consistent covering of short, white setae hairs over its entire dorsal surface.
Setae can often be worn or broken, especially on old specimens, so it is important to check other features for accurate identification.
