Some Observations on the Host Timber Species, Biology and Habitat of Achthosus westwoodi Pascoe, 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Ulomini) of Eastern Australia

Abstract

Biological observations and data on host timber species utilized by the Australian tenebrionid Achthosus westwoodi Pascoe, 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Ulomini) are listed herein from the personal opportunistic observations of the author in various areas of eastern Australia from 1972-2008. The adults and larvae of A. westwoodi utilize a broad range of native and introduced timbers from several plant families, viz. Casuarinaceae (Casuarina), Fagaceae (Nothofagus), Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus), Mimosaceae (Acacia), Proteaceae (Banksia), Rhamnaceae (Alphitonia) and Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda). Most of the host records are from native Australian plants. Host wood material preferred by A. westwoodi is normally moist to wet, rotting branches or logs on the forest/woodland floor.