Agrilus hypoleucus, PL2305, - a dead end

Eastern Mt Lofty Ranges, 22 Sep 2012.

An adult beetle trapped inside the wood of an Acacia stem, discovered when the dead stem was split open. This beetle probably spent several years as a larva borer before pupating, but for some reason was unable to eat through the remaining wood and emerge from the Acacia branch last season. See images of emerged adult below.

Agrilus hypoleucus is almost certainly the most abundant species of Buprestid beetle in temperate southern half of South Australia, and can be found in large numbers on the foliage of Acacia pycnatha (Golden Wattle) and other Acacia species from late spring to summer.