Open AccessOBSERVATIONS ON THE PASTURE BEETLE, SAULOSTOMUS VILLOSUS WATERHOUSE (SCARABAEIDAE: RUTELINAE)
Author(s) -
HARDY R. J.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1976.tb01707.x
Subject(s) - scarabaeidae , biology , larva , instar , pupa , pasture , loam , ecology , zoology , soil water
Saulostomus villosus inhabits parts of south‐eastern Australia, including Tasmania. In Tasmania adults were taken at lights in December, January and February. Eggs were laid in the insectary in December and they emerged one month later. First and second instar larvae were field collected from February until October and third instar larvae were collected throughout the year. Pupae were collected in November. It appears the species has a life‐cycle of at least 2 years duration. S. villosus occurs in semi‐improved and improved pastures on sandy to clay loam soils in regions with an annual average rainfall of 600 to 1,200 mm. Dense larval populations have caused minor pasture damage in some areas of Tasmania. Characters of use in distinguishing the larval stage from those of other scarabaeids are described.