Rare Jewel Beetle – Castiarina xystra
On 17 September 2024, the black and red Jewel Beetle Castiarina xystra was recorded under the planted White Box trees on Kent Street. It was probably feeding on the flowers and was blown off in strong winds. This is the only other time this species has been recorded anywhere, since the type specimen collection on Black Mountain in 1931.
If you live near the reserve in Deakin or Hughes then you may like to encourage this beetle by planting white flowering myrtacae (eucalypts, leptospermum, kunzea, melaleuca) that flower in September.
What we can do on Red Hill? As the larvae feed on dead wood we need to protect dead standing trees and fallen logs (care needs to be taken with prescribed burns). Parks and Conservation may import fallen logs into this area. We could do some planting of white and September flowering local myrtacae species in the vicinity.
If you happen to see a red and black Jewel Beetle please take a photo and lodge on Canberra NatureMapr.