Biology:Thelyphassa lineata

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Short description: Species of insect


Thelyphassa lineata
Thelyphassa lineata 12306684.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Thelyphassa
Species:
lineata
Binomial name
Thelyphassa lineata
(Fabricius, 1775)

Thelyphassa lineata, known commonly as the striped lax beetle, is a species of false blister beetle endemic to New Zealand.[1]

Description

Adults of the species are 15 mm long. The body is a golden-brown colour with two black stripes along either side of the abdomen and a single black stripe along the pronotum.[1][2]

Behaviour & Diet

Thelyphassa lineata on flower

The grub of this species live in rotten forest logs. Adults are thought to feed on pollen and nectar.[1][2]

Toxicology

The striped lax beetle secretes Cantharidin, a burn agent that causes skin blisters on contact.[1] This was first observed in the late 1980s when 74 personnel from the New Zealand Army reported blistered skin after coming into contact with the species.[3]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q21355792 entry