Introducing Excastra albopilosa, a recently discovered species of longhorn beetle sporting a unique fluffy white coat. With over 18,000 new species identified annually, half of which are insects, the surprise of this find is shared by many experts in the field.
Evolutionary biologist Menno Schilthuizen expressed his astonishment at the late discovery of this visually striking beetle, measuring almost a centimeter in length. Found in a popular spot for longhorn beetle enthusiasts, the beetle was stumbled upon by entomologist James Tweed near Lamington National Park in Queensland.
While brushing his teeth at an ecolodge, Tweed noticed “some white thing” on a leaf of basket grass. Suspecting it to be a longhorn beetle, he captured a photo and sought identification through the iNaturalist app. Even senior experts at the Australian National Insect Collection were unable to classify it.
After thorough research through longhorn beetle databases in Australia, the researchers were confident in declaring this beetle as a distinct genus and species. The proposed name, Excastra albopilosa, is derived from Latin words meaning “from a camp” and “white and hairy,” reflecting its unique characteristics.
Published on 2024-04-15 09:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org