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Paropsis

Paropsis is a genus of Chrysomelidae. and include over 70 described species. 1 These insects are commonly called tortoise beetles or leaf beetles. Their small size, bright colours and patterns, and roughly hemispherical shape cause them to be mistaken for ladybeetles.

They occur in all states of Australia 2 and a couple in New Guinea. They usually feed on Eucalyptus but there are a few that feed on Baeckea, Kunzea and Leptospermum.

Some leaf beetles have become pests to the forestry industry, particularly overseas where few natural predators occur. In particular, Paropsis charybdis has become a forestry pest in New Zealand. 3