Abstract
ABSTRACT Distocupes varians (Lea, 1908) (Coleoptera: Cupedidae) is a species within the relictual suborder Archostemata. This suborder has a nearly worldwide distribution, which includes the Gondwanan regions and countries Australia, New Caledonia, southern South America, but not New Zealand. The larvae of Archostemata are woodborers, with several cupedid species known to feed on fungi-rich rotting wood, whereas the adults feed on pollen or sap. Until recently, these beetles were unknown from New Zealand, but in November 2021 two adult specimens were caught in SLAM traps in Laingholm, West Auckland. These specimens were collected two weeks apart, which suggests that there is an established population, rather than these being independent incidents of wind-assisted arrivals. This hypothesis is further corroborated by additional specimens of D. varians collected or photographed during November and December 2022, which were then recorded on iNaturalist (https://inaturalist.nz/), a citizen science platform to record, organise and identify biodiversity.
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