''Parisopalpus nigronotatus'', known by its common name, the spotted lax beetle, is a species of

false blister beetle The family Oedemeridae is a cosmopolitan group of beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from mo ...

s. It was first identified by

Carl Henrik Boheman Carl Henrik Boheman (10 July 1796 – 2 November 1868) was a Swedish entomologist. Boheman studied at Lund University and trained as an officer, participating in the invasion of Norway in 1814. He had been an enthusiastic entomologist since chi ...

in 1858, under the name ''Nacerdes nigronotata''. Native to eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, the species was introduced to New Zealand in 1931.

Description

''Parisopalpus nigronotatus'' is generally coloured brick-red, with dark spots found on the beetle's body and legs. The species is densely covered with pale hair. The beetle is typically between 8.7 and 12.2 mm in length. ''Parisopalpus nigronotatus'' can be told apart from other species of ''Parisopalpus'' by the presence of at least two dark spots on the beetle's body.

Distribution

''Parisopalpus nigronotatus'' is found in eastern Australia, south-eastern Australia and

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

. It was introduced to New Zealand in 1931, and is found in Nelson and the

North Island The North Island, also officially named Te Ika-a-Māui, is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but much less populous South Island by the Cook Strait. The island's area is , making it the world's 14th-largest ...

. The species has been intercepted by biosecurity in

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...

Behaviour

The beetles lay their eggs in mangroves. Grubs of the species are typically found in rotting wood, and as adults the beetles feed on nectar and pollen, and are attracted to light. The beetles secrete a toxic substance as a defense, which causes skin blisters in humans if touched.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21316313 Oedemeridae Beetles described in 1858 Beetles of Australia Beetles of New Zealand