Lamprima aurata

Lamprima aurata, the golden stag beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Lucanidae. In Tasmania, this species is referred to by the "common name" of Christmas beetle, a name that is normally used for beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, genus Anoplognathus.[1]

Lamprima aurata
Adult male
Adult female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Lucanidae
Genus:
Lamprima
Species:
L. aurata
Binomial name
Lamprima aurata
Latreille, 1817
Synonyms

Lamprima cuprea Latreille, 1817
Lamprima latreillii Macleay, 1819
Lamprima pygmaea Macleay, 1819
Lamprima fulgida Boisduval, 1835
Lamprima micardi Reiche, 1841
Lamprima rutilans Erichson, 1842
Lamprima splendens Erichson, 1842
Lamprima viridis Erichson, 1842
Lamprima nigricollis Hope in Westwood, 1845
Lamprima purpurascens Hope in Westwood, 1845
Lamprima sumptuosa Hope in Westwood, 1845
Lamprima tasmaniae Hope in Westwood, 1845
Lamprima varians Burmeister, 1847
Lamprima cultridens Burmeister, 1847
Lamprima amplicollis Thomson, 1862
Lamprima krefftii Macleay, 1871
Lamprima violacea Macleay, 1885
Lamprima mandibularis Macleay, 1885
Lamprima sericea Macleay, 1885
Lamprima nigripennis Macleay, 1885
Lamprima minima Macleay, 1885 Lamprima mariae Lea, 1910
Lamprima coerulea Boileau, 1913
Lamprima insularis Boileau, 1913 (Homo.)

Description

This beetle has an oval, shiny body.[2] It measures between 15 and 25 mm in length. It is fairly variable in coloration, so it has been given many names by various authors.[3] The colour of the males is typically metallic golden green or yellow with colorful legs, while females may be blue, blue-green or dull brown. Females are smaller than the males, and males have larger mandibles prolonged forwards used for fighting. [4][2]

Distribution and habitat

L. aurata is native to Australia and can be found in Tasmania—mainly Victoria—and south-eastern mainland Australia in dry sclerophyll forests.[2]

Of the five species in the genus Lamprima, only two occur on the Australian mainland: L. aurata and the closely related L. imberbis, which live in northeastern New South Wales.[3]

Biology

The larvae are sapro-xylophagous and will spend two years feeding on rotting logs.[1][2] Adults are free-flying and will move about on the ground during the day and drink the nectar of flowers, especially eucalypts.[2] Males can be found on rotting logs defending their territory.[2]

  • Golden stag larva
    Golden stag larva
  • Illustration of male by Des Helmore
    Illustration of male by Des Helmore

References
  1. "Christmas beetle-mania is in full swing and their traits may surprise you". www.abc.net.au. December 18, 2018.
  2. "Lamprima aurata Latreille, 1817, Golden Stag Beetle". Museum Victoria. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. C.A.M. Reid, K. Smith, M. Beatson (2018) Revision of the Genus Lamprima Latreille, 1804 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Zootaxa. 4446(2); 151–202. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4446.2.1
  4. "Golden Stag Beetle (Lamprima aurata)". Beetle Identifications. Retrieved 29 December 2021.


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