Physolaesthus insularis


Physolaesthus insularis is a species of beetle of the family Carabidae. It is found in Australia and New Zealand and inhabits wet places such as swamps, marshes and seashore drift at low altitudes. This beetle is most commonly observed from November until April. Adults are good flyers and are attracted to light.

Taxonomy

It was first described by Henry Walter Bates in 1878 using a specimen collected by Charles Marcus Wakefield in the Canterbury region. The male holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Bates described this species as follows:
This beetle is coloured a dark brown and is between 4.3 and 5.1 mm in length.

Distribution

In New Zealand this species can be found throughout the North Island and the South Island as far south as Mid Canterbury. In Australia this beetle is found in South-eastern Australia.

Habitat

The preferred habitat of this beetle are wet localities such as swamps, marshes and in seashore drift, at low altitudes.

Behaviour

Adults are good flyers and can be attracted to light. This beetle is commonly observed from November until April.