General Description

Body black with white spots. Over-sized fan-like antennae, much larger and more pronounced in males than females. Adults 1-2.5 cm in length

Biology

There are only six species of Rhipiceridae in Australia and all belong to the genus Rhipicera. None have been studied well so little is yet known about their life cycle or habits. In Feather-horned Beetles, the large male antennae are used to locate a female beetle when she is emitting a mating pheromone. Though the larvae have never been found it is thought that they may be parasites of cicadas based on the larvae of another closely related beetle.

Distribution

South-eastern Australia, from southern Queensland to Tasmania, and south-west Australia.

Habitat

Open eucalypt forests.

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