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Stethopachys formosa
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Chrysomelidae
Genus:	Stethopachys
Species:	S. formosa
Binomial name
Stethopachys formosa Baly 1861

Stethopachys formosa, the orchid beetle or dendrobium beetle, is an Australian insect found in northern New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland. They cannot survive in colder climates, and they do not appear in Southern states. This insect feeds on the flowers and leaves of orchids, often causing damage to cultivated plants.

Appearance

Dendrobium beetles are bright orange with large black spots on their wing covers. They have long black antenna, and wings hidden behind the patterned wing covers. The adult dendrobium beetle grows to approximately 12mm (0.5 inches).

Damage to Dendrobium orchids

The adult dendrobium beetle feeds on the Dendrobium plant, especially the leaves, buds, flowers, and seed pods. The adult beetle will also lay eggs on the leaves, buds, flowers, and seed pods of the plant. Once the beetle larvae has hatched, it will proceed to eat through the leaves and stems of the orchid plant.

References

1. Baly, J. S. (1861). "Descriptions of new genera and species of Phytophaga". The Journal of Entomology. 1: 193–206.
2. ^ Corbin, Graham. "Dendrobium Beetle (Stethopachys formosa)" (PDF). The Orchid Society of New South Wales. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
3. "Dendrobium Beetles - Stethopachys formosa Time to revisit". Australian Orchid Nursery. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
4. "Orchid Beetle". Australian Museum. Retrieved 2017-01-10.

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• Criocerinae
• Beetles described in 1861
• Beetles of Australia
• Orchid ecology
• Taxa named by Joseph Sugar Baly
• Chrysomelidae stubs