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Conservation status: Least Concern
This is one of a number of Castiarina species which mimic the bad-tasting Lycid beetles, with the aim of not getting eaten by predators. Their colouring is very similar and they even go to the extent of copying the ribbing of the elytra (hardened
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Scientific Classification
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Order:
Family:
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Coleoptera
Buprestidae
Castiarina
erythroptera
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| forewing), so at a glance, it it hard to tell them apart. However, Lycid beetles have long antennae and Jewel Beetles don't.
Castiarina erythroptera has been found in all Australian states except Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
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