feed! The larval stage of the beetle is the dominant stage, and occurs underground where it feeds on dead material of a specific grass species. The adults emerge only after the first + 10 mm of rain in the summer months, followed by sufficient thermal energy (sunlight) to encourage emergence, and thermoregulation of the males for flying and locating the females. The adults live for only 2 to 3 days and expend all their energy in the mating process; then the females dig themselves into the moist soil, deposit their fertilised eggs, and die. Thus this species does not have the potential for natural distribution. Ichnestoma stobbiai is therefore restricted to the location in which it presently occurs.
Many of the historical localities of Ichnestoma stobbiai have been destroyed by development, such as Voortrekkerhoogte, Kalk Heuwel, Struben’s Valley, and Florida Hills. Smuts Koppie and surrounds are one of the very few intact localities supporting viable populations of Ichnestoma stobbiai. Thus the protection of this beetle and its habitat is of prime importance to the Foundation and is a closely linked to the need to conserve the Big House. The tree at the back door of the lapa, that children love to play in, is a youngish specimen of an unusual tree called a Belhambra, Phytolacca diocia, also known as Monkey grape. This South American tree is listed as a category 3 alien invasive plant. The Belhambra has very soft wood, the branches break very easily especially if anyone bigger than a toddler climbs it. Our specimen does not seem to be invading, but the seeds are eaten by monkeys which certainly has potential to spread as we are regularly visited by a troupe of Vervet Monkeys. Monkeys are the reason for the monkey proof dustbins that are placed in strategic spots to encourage our to encourage our visitors to dispose of their rubbish appropriately. At Smuts House we have a policy of not putting any sort of food out as it encourages the monkeys.
Town Crier July 2013