Abstract: The Australian cetoniid beetle, Polystigma punctata (Donovan) (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) is recorded at approx. 1230 hrs (Eastern Australian Standard Time) on 24 April 2003 at Maraylya, New South Wales feeding from flowers of its adult food plant in the area, Bursaria spinosa Cav. (Pittosporaceae). Both the occurrence of the beetle and flowering of the food plant were unseasonal. Both species should be present during late January to early March. The reason for this unseasonality probably lies in the fact that the autumn in the Sydney area was unusually warm, and during March to April the region received much rainfall after a prolonged drought after 2 years, thereby influencing the late flowering of certain plants such as B. spinosa and triggering the emergence of beetles from their pupation sites in the ground.

Download PDF