Epicauta waterhousei is an Asian species of oil beetle (Coleoptera: Meloidae) recorded from Thailand (Central and Northeast provinces), Cambodia,[1] and Taiwan.[2]

Epicauta waterhousei
Specimen from Jiji Town, Nantou County
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Meloidae
Subfamily: Meloinae
Tribe: Epicautini
Genus: Epicauta
Species:
E. waterhousei
Binomial name
Epicauta waterhousei
Haag-Rutenberg, 1880

Description and pest status edit

The adults of E. waterhousei, which emerge between April and July,[1] are recognisable by their dull black elytra with a greyish longitudinal stripe, extending from humeral angle towards apex of elytron, and orange-red head does not have black dorsal markings. Similar species include E. erythrocephala, the type and E. gorhami from Honshu, Japan.

This species has been recorded eating: groundnuts, soybeans, eggplants, tomatoes, and slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis).[2]

References edit

External links edit