Norfolk Island Endemic Lamprima aenea, the Stag Beetle.

It is always interesting to learn about our Norfolk Island environment and this week I was fascinated to read about an endemic stag beetle, named Lamprima aenea.

Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden media team shared a post on Facebook about this incredibly rare Norfolk Island endemic beetle. The Lamprima aenea is also known as a stag beetle is from the Lucanidae family and is incredibly rare.

It is believed to have a very small total population, as there is only 4.9 square kilometres of forest habitat remaining. The photo of the Lamprima aenea was taken by Max Beaston, from the Australian Museum. As you can see on the photograph the stag beetle has green and bronze colours, I have read that this species' typical colour; variations include dark bronze and even blue.

It's Norfolk Island's only endemic stag beetle but, due to destruction of its forest habitat, it has become rare. The species was actually the first insect endemic to Norfolk Island to be formally described, with a form description of a newly discovered species, which is usually in the form of a scientific paper. The species identification occurred in 1792 by Johan Christian Fabricius.

Protecting the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna is always important and the Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden staff with the support of the community continue to care for the native plants, birds and insects and controlling the introduction of pest and other concerning flora and fauna which can threaten the fragile balance of our wonderful remote Norfolk Island. An interesting question was posted on the Facebook page relating to sprays to kill bugs and weeds. Fingers crossed these treatments will not impact on the endemic stag beetle and the larval stages.

If you would like to learn more about Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna, you are welcome to attend the NI F&F monthly meetings at the A&H Hall behind Rawson Hall held at 6pm on the 2^nd Monday of the month, the next meeting is on Monday 12 September 2022.

This week, at 5.30pm on Friday 9^th September 2022, Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society is hosting guest speakers at the A&H Hall. This is a presentation by staff from the Australian Museum,

A group of scientific institutions led by the Australian Museum are planning an expedition to research the unique flora, fauna and history of Norfolk Island in October. Representatives from the Australian Museum including Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, and Chief Scientist, Professor Kristofer Helgen, are visiting Norfolk Island this week to meet with the local community and answer questions you may have about the expedition. Come along to the A & H Hall at 5.30 pm on Friday 9 September to meet Kim and Kris and see what the expedition is all about. Learn more about the Australian Museum’s previous expeditions.

Learning about Norfolk Island is always so interesting, thank you Norfolk Island National Park and Botanical Garden staff for sharing the information about the endemic stag beetle and thank you Max Beaston, from the Australian Museum for the Lamprima aenea photographic image.

Betty Matthews

September 2022