Eustrephus R.Br. 1809

Monteith, Caroline S. Chaboo Vivian E. Sandoval-Gómez Mariana Hopper Geoff B., 2024, Biology of Aproida balyi Pascoe, 1863 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Aproidini) on its host plant, Eustrephus latifolius R. Br. ex Ker-Gawl (Asparagaceae) in Australia, Insecta Mundi 2024 (74), pp. 1-28 : 9-14

Biology of Eustrephus R.Br. 1809 ( Asparagaceae ) ( Fig. 19–23 )

Asparagaceae comprises 114 genera with about 2900 species. Eustrephus R.Br. 1809 is a monotypic genus with the species, Eustrephus latifolius R.Br. This is native to Australia , New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea ( GBIF Secretariat 2023), and is extensively distributed through the eastern coast of Australia (Australasian Virtual Herbarium (AVH) 2021) where it occurs in dry and wet forests and heaths in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, growing well in semi-shade (ANPSA 2021). Its altitudinal range is from near sea level to 900 m (Australian National Botanic Gardens 2024). It has been recorded as a non-native species in New Zealand, continental USA, and Hawai’i ( GBIF Secretariat 2023).

Eustrephus latifolius typically thrives in shaded positions, either as small perennial climbers or as scrambling ground cover ( Fig. 18–23 ). It is an evergreen climbing vine (reflected in the genus’ etymology) with lance-like narrow leaves that have prominent longitudinal veins ( Fig. 21, 23–24 , 47 ) (ANPSA 2021). It is hardy in various soils and climates and withstands extended periods of dryness once established; the species is not excessively vigorous and unlikely to smother other plants (ANPSA 2021). In Australia , it is sold as a native groundcover and potted garden plant (e.g., Growing Illawara Natives 2024) and is commonly called wombat berry or orangevine (Australian Native Plants Society 2024).

The small flowers ( Fig. 22–23; 10–18 mm diameter; PlantNET 2023) appear in clusters of a few flowers from September to November ( Native Plants Queensland 2023). These are fly-pollinated ( Diptera : Drosophilidae , Mycetophilidae , Sciaridae ; Vislobokov 2017), like other genera in this family. The fruit ( Fig. 23 ) is about 10–20 mm diameter in size and has a green color that turns to an attractive orange as it ripens ( Fig. 23 ). Fruits have white arils around the black seeds and are dispersed by birds. The tubers are eaten by wombats, giving this plant its popular name, ‘wombat berry’; tubers are also eaten raw or baked by indigenous Aboriginal Australians ( Maiden 1889; Simpson 2018). Several Lepidoptera caterpillars feed on the plant ( Simpson 2018).

Laferrière’s (1995) review of nomenclature found Eustrephus mentioned in very few articles. French (1977) included it under the synonym Luzuriaga latifolia in a comparison of vine growth relationships. Crous et al. (2019) indicated Phyllosticta longicauda (Fungi) as an endophyte from healthy Eustrephus latifolius leaves, while Shivas and Alcorn (1996) listed Asterina spp. as microfungi on the leaves. Sun and Liddle (1993) compared trampling and untrampled effects. Benson and Picone (2009) documented an increase in this species, as well as other vines, in a 30-year vegetation monitoring study of a Sydney bushland area. Kim et al. (2016) presented the complete plastid genome of E. latifolius to enable the study of chloroplast genome evolution in Asparagales for which only Orchidaceae was mapped.

In earlier studies of Aproida , its Eustrephus food plant has been attributed to the plant families Liliaceae (e.g., Monteith 1970; Conran 1985) or Philesiacae (e.g., Hawkeswood 2007). Modern botanical taxonomy places it in Asparagaceae .

Figures

Figures 18–23. Habitat and host plant of Aproida balyi Pascoe, 1863 (Photos: V. Sandoval, except where noted). 18) Mt Coot-tha Forest Reserve, Queensland, Australia, open Eucalyptusforest. 19) Eustrephus latifolius R. Br. Ex Ker-Gawl (Asparagaceae), vining around small stems. 20) Vine on forest floor. 21) Intact leaf and beetle larva-chewed leaf. 22) Pinkish white flowers appear in spring to summer (see inset).23) Vine with flowers (mostly unopened) and fruits (orange color, black seed) (Photo: M. Marathon, Etna Caves National Park, via Wikimedia Commons).

Figures 46–47. Larva instar I of Aproida balyi (Photos: V. Sandoval). 46) Early instar I with single caudal process ~2 x longer than rest of body. 47) Mature instar I feeds in grooves between veins of leaf, leaving long scraped marks with a few tiny holes.