Excastra

Excastra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Cerambycidae
Tribe: Desmiphorini
Genus:
Tweed, Ashman & Ślipiński, 2024[1]
Species:
E. albopilosa
Binomial name
Excastra albopilosa
Tweed, Ashman & Ślipiński, 2024[1]

Excastra is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae. It is monotypic, with only species Excastra albopilosa.[1] The beetle is furry, and is thought to have evolved to mimic an insect that's been killed by a fungus, as a way of deterring predators.[2]

The holotype of Excastra albopilosa is the only known specimen and measures 9.7 mm (0.38 in) in total length.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Tweed, James M.H.; Ashman, Lauren G.; Ślipiński, Adam (2024). "Excastra albopilosa, a remarkable new genus and species of Lamiinae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from southeastern Queensland, Australia" (PDF). Australian Journal of Taxonomy. 54: 1–8. doi:10.54102/ajt.iv1x5. ISSN 2653-4649. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (21 March 2024). "Newly discovered Australian beetle almost mistaken for bird poo". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 March 2024.


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