Eastern false wireworm

Pterohelaeus darlingensis

The large or eastern false wireworm (Pterohelaeus spp.). These are the largest group of false wireworms. They are the most conspicuous in the soil and grow up to 50 mm in length. They are light cream to tan in colour, with tan or brown rings around each body segment, giving the appearance of bands around each segment. The last abdominal segment has no obvious protrusions, although, under a microscope, there are a number of distinct hairs. Adults are large, conspicuous and often almost ovoid beetles with a black shiny bodies.