There are good seasons and bad seasons for beetles. The December 2024 to January 2025 seems to be a pretty awesome season so far. I have seen many species for the first time and made friends with kind people who allowed me to freely explore their private forests for insects.

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livingplanet3 wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:33 pm Superb photos! All from Queensland?

Yes they were all caught and photographed in Queensland

Calodema pleibium

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The Lamprima from Victoria and Tasmania have purple and red forms but not as shiny as the Queensland ones.

These are one of the best bred by me a few years ago.

The males in Queensland are shiny golden green with red and organ sheen.

Nice capture. As far as I know aurata and latreillii are now the same species and the new name is Lamprima aurata latreillii.

In Queensland, the females are in different shades of blue, green and red

Ken consider yourself very lucky to come across it. It took me more than 10 years of looking every year before I caught my 1st Calodema regalis. You can look at the same area every year unless all the conditions are perfect they won't come out. I don't think you need to find new areas instead you ...

Yes, Eupoecila australasiae is very common.


Although they are quite small, Eupoecila are certainly among the most beautifully marked Australian Cetoniinae. Here is E. inscripta from Western Australia, which has a large, bold "W" ( or "M" ) on the pronotum -

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alandmor wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 5:57 pm Beautiful photos and a nice looking net. What make/model is it? Thx

The net was made by a friend.

It is summer time in Australia. I have been exploring the forests and found some beautiful beetles.

This is my secret weapon.
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Beetles are attracted by white flowers. I found so many on them.
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Is the species in your photos Trichaulax philipsii? I'm much more familiar with African Cetoniinae than Australian ones.

I assume you've seen Eupoecila australasiae in your area, as well? -

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It is now the Calodema season in Australia. Does anyone have any tips on where to find them in Gold Coast and northern NSW? I have only seen Calodema regalis once and really want to see them again this year. Thanks

Below are the photos I took last year.

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