Australozonitis lutea (Oil beetle)

Family Meloidae, subfamily Nemognathinae

These beetles are parasitoids of native bees. Eggs are laid on flowers; the first-stage larvae are very active and attach themselves to visiting bees in order to gain access to the bee's nest. Once in the nest, they moult to a fat, sluggish form and consume the bee larva as well as the food provisions of honey and nectar. Adults feed on nectar.

Australozonitis lutea is listed in the following regions:

Canberra & Southern Tablelands  |  Barwon South West


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Species information

829,791 sightings of 22,852 species from 14,360 members
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