THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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Queensland Museum

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University of Queensland

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Queensland University of Technology

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Cover: This undescribed species of Bombyliidae of the genus Docidomyia is

from the Goldfields Region of Western Australia. The genus belongs to the

subfamily Tomomyzinae, and has closest relatives in southern Africa and North

America. Adults feed on nectar and pollen and the larvae are presumably

parasitoids, as are most other Bombyliidae, although nothing is known of the life

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Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 65

NOTES ON THE EARLY STAGES OF

ORSOTRIAENA MEDUS MOIRA WATERHOUSE & LYELL

AND MELANITIS CONSTANTIA CRAMER

(LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE: SATYRINAE)

FROM TORRES STRAIT, AUSTRALIA

S.J. JOHNSON!, I.R. JOHNSON? and P.S. VALENTINE?

'Oonoomba Veterinary Laboratory, P.O. Box 1085, Townsville, Qld 4810

226 Brodie Street, Holland Park, Qld 4121

3Tropical Environment Studies and Geography, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811

Abstract

The distinctive early stages of Orsotriaena medus moira Waterhouse & Lyell are described

from northern Australia and compared with those of the closely allied Mycalesis spp. Cluster

laying and larval gregariousness are recorded for the first time in Melanitis constantia Cramer

and the early stages are described.

Introduction

Within Torres Strait Orsotriaena medus moira is known from Darnley, Moa,

Prince’ of Wales (Common and Waterhouse 1981) and Mer Islands (Wood

1987) and has been taken recently by the authors on Saibai, Dauan and

Thursday Islands. The life history was unknown in Australia and the early

stages were presumed to resemble those of the Indian subspecies (Common

and Waterhouse 1981, D'Abrera 1977).

Melanitis constantia was discovered recently on Mer Island (Johnson et al.

1994) and on a subsequent visit eggs were obtained from captive females in

order to describe the early stages.

Orsotriaena medus moira Waterhouse & Lyell

Egg. Spherical; smooth, white, 1.0 mm in diameter.

Larva (Fig. 1). First instar: Length 4-6 mm; head pale cream with brown

blotches ventrolaterally and across anterior occipital region; 7 pairs of stout

curved setae with lateral and dorsal pairs arising from rounded tubercles; body

translucent yellow turning green after feeding; faint dorsal and dorsolateral

white lines; thorax bearing a transverse row of 6 long setae each arising from

a white tubercle; abdominal segments bearing pairs of dorsal, dorsolateral,

lateral and ventrolateral long pale setae; anal plate with a dorsal pair of fleshy

tubercles and 3 basal setae. Second to final instars: Length 8-38 mm; head

pale cream with a pair of long, pointed, anteriorly directed pink horns;

maroon lateral stripe extending from tip of horn to posterior occipital margin;

numerous short spines; mandibles brown; 2 pale crescentic areas from lateral

margin to median sulcus; body white, covered in short pale setae with

expanded tips; broad cream dorsolateral line and white lateral line extending to

ventral surface; thoracic and abdominal segments with an anterior row of long

curved setae; anal plate with a pair of backwardly directed pink spines.

66 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Pupa (Fig. 3). Elongate with a small thoracic ridge; anterior end produced

into a long horn; pale brown with a dark brown lateral line from dorsal wing

case to tip of horn; abdominal segments with faint brown ventrolateral lines

and scattered small brown dots; suspended with the ventral surface uppermost

from a vertical stalk of grass. Length 20 mm.

Observations. Females were taken in April flying amongst Imperata sp. on

Dauan Island, Torres Strait and readily laid eggs when enclosed on this grass.

Eggs were laid singly beneath leaves of the grass and were taken to

Townsville where larvae were reared successfully on Panicum maximum Jacq.

The solitary larvae remained on the foliage until pupation. The prepupa (Fig.

2) differs from other satyrines by resting head upwards on a vertical stalk of

the host grass and falling backwards to suspend itself with the ventral surface

uppermost. The pupa resembles a dried leaf base.

The larva of O. m. moira differs only in colour from that of O. m. mandata

(Moore) from southern India and Sri Lanka (Davidson and Aitken 1890). The

pupae of the two subspecies appear very similar. The descriptions by

Common and Waterhouse (1981) of 2 pairs of horns on the larval head and by

D'Abrera (1977) of pronounced cephalic horns on the pupa appear to be

errors.

The early stages of the 3 Mycalesis spp. from northern Australia have been

described by Braby (1994) and are similar to each other and typically satyrine

in form. The larva of O. m. moira is also satyrine in form but differs from

those of Mycalesis in the elongation of the anterior and posterior horns. The

peculiar habit of the prepupa and the angular and elongate pupa of O. m.

moira show marked divergence from Mycalesis and the usual satyrine

condition. These differences support the generic separation of Orsotriaena

Wallengren from Mycalesis Hübner.

Melanitis constantia Cramer

Egg. Spherical; yellow, 1.5 mm in diameter.

Larva (Fig. 4). First instar: Length 7-11 mm; head cream, covered in long

dark setae; frons and mandibles brown; body pale whitish-cream becoming

green after feeding; single dorsolateral white line on thorax becoming bifid on

abdominal segments; thoracic segments with a row of 9-10 long pale setae;

abdominal segments with pairs of dorsal, dorsolateral and lateral setae; anal

plate with a pair of dorsal fleshy protuberances bearing numerous long curved

setae. Second to final instars: Length 12-55 mm; head cream with a broad

yellow lateral stripe; ocelli black; mandibles brown; lateral brown patches

becoming black in final instar; a pair of stout dorsal horns, apically black;

body green; dorsal white stripe bifid on abdominal segments; narrow lateral

and ventrolateral white lines; posterior horns translucent cream.

Pupa (Fig. 5). Smooth, green. Length 15-18 mm.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 67

Graue Mun

E A POLO ARPS:

Figs 1-5. Larva and pupa of Orsotriaena medus moira and Melanitis

constantia. (1-3): O. m. moira; (1) mature larva; (2) prepupa; (3) pupa. (4-

5): M. constantia, (4) mature larva; (5) pupa.

68 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Observations. Captive females taken in April on Mer Island, Torres Strait,

laid eggs in batches of up to 13. Larvae were reared in Townsville on

Panicum maximum and Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. The larvae were

gregarious, remaining together in some instances until just prior to pupation.

All larvae reared on /. cylindrica died in the second instar and 90% of larvae

reared on P. maximum failed to complete development, suggesting that

neither plant is likely to be used naturally.

On Mer Island the adults appeared to be restricted to rainforest and were

encountered most commonly in cleared areas used as gardens. Sugar cane

(Saccharum sp.), which is known as a host in Papua New Guinea (Parsons

1991), is grown commonly in the gardens on Mer Island and is a likely

natural host.

The lz: vae of M. constantia can be separated readily from those of M. leda

bankia (Fabricius) by the prominent white stripes. The pupae of the two

species are very similar.

Mycalesis constantia is unusual amongst satyrines in the habit of cluster

laying and gregarious larvae. Stamp (1980) did not record cluster laying in

Satyrinae and Neope sp., listed by Chew and Robbins (1984), appears to be

the only previous record in the subfamily.

References

BRABY, M.F. 1994. Morphology of the early stages of Mycalesis Hiibner (Lepidoptera:

Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from north-eastern Australia. Journal of the Australian

Entomological Society 33: 289-294.

CHEW, F.S. and ROBBINS, R.K. 1984. Egg laying in butterflies. Chapter 6 (pp 65-79) in:

Vane-Wright, R.I. and Ackery, P.R. (Eds) The Biology of Butterflies. London; Academic Press.

COMMON, I.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. Sydney; Angus &

Robertson.

DAVIDSON, J. and AITKEN, E.H. 1890. Notes on the larvae and pupae of some of the

butterflies of the Bombay Presidency. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 5: 260-

278.

JOHNSON, S.J., JOHNSON, I.R. and VALENTINE, P.S. 1994. New and interesting butterfly

records from Torres Strait islands. Australian Entomologist 21: 121-124.

PARSONS, M. 1991. Butterflies of the Bulolo-Wau Valley. Handbook No. 12, Wau Ecology

Institute. Honolulu; Bishop Museum.

STAMP, N.E. 1980. Egg deposition patterns in butterflies. Why do some species cluster their

eggs rather than deposit them singly? American Naturalist 115: 367-380.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 69

SORGHUM MIDGE CONTARINIA SORGHICOLA

(COQUILLETT) (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) IN

AUSTRALIA PRODUCES UNISEXUAL PROGENY

B.A. FRANZMANN and R.J. LLOYD

Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 102, Toowoomba Qld 4350

Abstract

All mated females of the sorghum midge Contarinia sorghicola from Queensland produced

unisexual progenies in equal male/female proportions. Females tested originated from

Sorghum halepense in November and April and cultivated grain sorghum S. bicolor in January

and April. The results have implications for the possible development of resistance-breaking

biotypes on midge-resistant sorghum.

Introduction

Baxendale and Teetes (1981) showed that the sorghum midge Contarinia

sorghicola (Coquillett) in Texas, USA, produces exclusively unisexual

progeny. However, in reported cases of unisexual progeny production in

species with bisexual reproduction, some individuals may produce bisexual

progeny, as in another cecidomyiid, the Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor

(Say) (Painter 1930).

Grain sorghum hybrids with resistance to the sorghum midge have been

developed recently and are available to Australian farmers (Henzell et al.

1991). A knowledge of progeny production by the sorghum midge in

Australia is a prerequisite for any theoretical assessment and/or

experimentation on the development of biotypes capable of 'breaking'

resistance.

Materials and methods

Progeny production tests were carried out on females originating from four

different collections of infested material: 1) Johnson grass Sorghum

halepense at Gatton, south-east Queensland, November 1990; 2) grain

sorghum S. bicolor at Gatton, January 1991; 3) grain sorghum at

Kingsthorpe, south-east Queensland, April 1991; and 4) Johnson grass at

Emerald, central Queensland, April 1992. Females emerging with males in

the laboratory early in the morning were caged individually over flowering

sorghum panicles in a glasshouse. Adult progeny emerging were sexed.

Each female produces only one brood.

Results

Offspring produced by each female were either all male or all female. Of the

31 females producing offspring, 15 produced male broods and the remainder

produced females (Table 1). Average size (+ s.e.) of female broods was 22.6

+ 3.8 individuals and of male 23.0 + 3.9.

Discussion

Baxendale and Teetes (1981) also found a near 1:1 ratio of female-producing

females to male-producing females.

70 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Table 1. Numbers of all male or all female broods produced by 31 C.

sorghicola females from four collections.

Locality Host Date Number of broods —

Male Female

Gatton © S. halepense xi.1990 l roa

Gatton S. bicolor 1.199] 8 5

Kingsthorpe S. bicolor iv.1991 3 3

3 2

Emerald S. halepense iv.1992

By negating the possibility of mating between siblings, the production of

unisexual progeny has implications for the likelihood and rate of development

of midge biotypes that are unaffected by resistance factors (Gould 1986).

However, whether enforced outcrossing enhances or reduces adaptation to

resistance factors is unclear. In Mayetiola destructor the genetics of

reproduction are unusual and complex and include the elimination of

paternally derived chromosomes (Stuart and Hatchett 1991). These processes

have not been studied in the sorghum midge but may be assumed to be

similar and, if so, would also have an influence on biotype development. For

example, if resistance-breaking ability was sex-linked then the loss of

paternally derived chromosomes would have an obvious influence.

Discussion on other more complex aspects is beyond the scope of this paper

but work is required on the reproduction genetics of sorghum midge prior to

formulation of a conceptional model of the development of resistance-

breaking biotypes.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Brad Congdon and Dr Grant Daggard for advice on genetic

matters and, together with Gordon Simpson, for constructive comments on

the manuscript.

References

BAXENDALE, F.P. and TEETES, G.L. 1981. Production of unisexual progenies by the

sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 74:

412-413.

GOULD, F. 1986. Simulation models for predicting durability of insect-resistant germ plasm:

Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) - resistant winter wheat. Environmental Entomology 15:

11-23.

HENZELL, R.G., BRENGMAN, R.L. and FRANZMANN, B.A. 1991. Breeders improve

sorghum midge resistance. Australian Grain 1(1): X.

PAINTER, R.H. 1930. Observations on the biology of the Hessian fly. Journal of Economic

Entomology 23: 326-328.

STUART, J.J. and HATCHETT, J.H. 1991. Genetics of sex determination in the Hessian fly,

Mayetiola destructor. Journal of Heredity 82: 43-52.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 “l

THE LIFE HISTORY OF CANDALIDES GILBERTI

WATERHOUSE (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

P.R. SAMSON! and D.N. WILSON?

l Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, P.O. Box 651, Bundaberg, Qld 4670

?P.O. Box 554, Palmerston, NT 0831

Abstract

The immature stages of Candalides gilberti from the Northern Territory are described.

Decaisnina signata (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae) is recorded as a food plant.

Introduction

Candalides gilberti is recorded from north-western Australia and the Northern

Territory (Common and Waterhouse 1981) and from Doomadgee in the Gulf

country of northern Queensland (Puccetti 1991). Its life history has not been

described, although a pupal case believed to be of this species was found

under bark of Eucalyptus bearing mistletoe at Mt Bundey, NT (Common and

Waterhouse 1981).

In July 1991, DNW collected eggs and larvae of C. gilberti from mistletoe

parasitising Alstonia actinophylla (A. Cunn.) K. Schum. (Apocynaceae) at

Stuart Park, a suburb of Darwin. Here we describe the immature stages,

which were reared to adults by PRS at Bundaberg.

Immature stages

Egg (Fig. 1). Dome-shaped with raised nipple surrounding sunken

micropyle, finely pitted, without spines; white. Average diameter 0.71 mm

(n= 4).

First instar (Fig. 2). Body with pronounced dorsal ridge, 2 rows of long pale

dorsal hairs with brownish tips rising above 2 rows of very short pale dorsal

hairs, plus short pale marginal hairs; body yellow, head pale brown.

Final instar (Fig. 3). Body laterally compressed with pronounced dorsal

ridge, hairless viewed from above but with short pale hairs around the margin

of the central ventral area that contains the legs and prolegs; green with

variable brown dorsolateral markings, especially on abdominal segments 1

and 6, markings sometimes fused dorsally; prothoracic and anal plates

sunken, green; head green. Newcomer's organ and tentacular organs present.

Pupa (Fig. 4). Thorax and abdomen with dorsal ridge, body flattened

anteriorly with rounded flanges and small median indentation, abdomen

flattened with lateral flanges strongly upturned anteriorly; reddish brown with

variable dark brown mottling and with dark brown transverse bar on first

abdominal segment, abdominal flanges and dorsal ridge paler, thoracic ridge

white. Attached by anal hooks and central girdle.

Life history

The food plant at Darwin was Decaisnina signata (F. Muell. ex Benth.)

Tiegh. (Loranthaceae).

72 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Figs 1-4. Candalides gilberti: (1) egg, lateral view; (2) first instar larva (head

on right); (3) final instar larva (head on right); (4) pupa. Scale bars (1, 2) = 0.4

mm, (3, 4) = 2 mm.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 BB

Eggs were laid singly, mostly on flower buds but also on young leaves.

Larvae fed mainly on flower buds but also on young soft new shoots. They

are well camouflaged when feeding on leaf margins, as their flattened profile

follows the leaf outline and their brownish dorsolateral markings resemble

necrotic areas on the plant. Several species of ants were seen on the

mistletoe flowers but did not appear to be attending the larvae. Larvae were

collected throughout the year at Stuart Park, but appeared more common from

October to March and in June. The seasonal distribution may be different in

bushland that receives only natural rainfall. Pupae were collected on bark and

leaves of the mistletoe and on its host plant.

Eggs, first and final instars and pupae of C. gilberti conform to descriptions

and photographs of those of C. margarita margarita (Semper) previously

obtained by PRS. Larvae of C. margarita also feed on mistletoe (Common

and Waterhouse 1981). Adult males of the two species are very similar and

have identical genitalia (Tite 1963), but females of C. margarita differ from

those of C. gilberti in having large white patches on the upperside of the

wings. Evidently they are closely related.

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to Ian Cowie (Herbarium of the Northern Territory

Conservation Commission) for identifying the food plant.

References

COMMON, I.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. Revised ed. xiv +

682 pp. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

PUCCETTI, M. 1991. Butterflies of Doomadgee - northwestern Queensland. Victorian

Entomologist 21: 142-147.

TITE, G.E. 1963. A revision of the genus Candalides and allied genera (Lepidoptera:

Lycaenidae). Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Entomology 14: 199-259,

74 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

BOOK REVIEW

Index of Economically Important Lepidoptera. Compiled by Bin-Cheng

Zhang. C.A.B. International, Wallingford, U.K. 1994. 599pp. £49.95.

This is not an easy book to review as it clearly is not a book meant to be

read, but rather one to be dipped into as required. It is aimed at those

professional entomologists who work with species of Lepidoptera which can

be considered to be in some way economic. Although most of the species

included in the index are pests, those with biological control potential and

silk moths are also included.

The index contains records for about 6000 species, plus about another 6000

synonyms. The names are derived from the Arthropod Name Index of CAB

International which is based on records drawn since 1913, from scientific

publications abstracted for the Review of Agricultural Entomology and its

predecessors. The names are those preferred by CAB International for use in

database indexing and information retrieval and have been derived from

reputable taxonomic sources, most often specialist taxonomists at the

International Institute of Entomology.

The book has three parts: a list of families and genera, the main index and an

index of specific and intraspecific epithets. The main index comprises just

over 75% of the book. Each record consists of the preferred name along with

synonyms and misidentifications and a common English name if one exists.

Host and geographical records follow, based on references cited in the Review

of Agricultural Entomology. Finally there is a list of Review of Applied

Entomology references (volume numbers only) in which the taxon has been

cited.

I looked up various species (mainly from Australia and PNG) with which I

have some familiarity and found no errors. The book is easy to use and

appears reasonably comprehensive. For the professional entomologist not

only is the book a nomenclatorial aid but it provides a rapid entry and guide

to the literature on economic Lepidoptera.

A.P. Mackey

Centre for Biological Population Management

Queensland University of Technology

Brisbane

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 75

NEW DISTRIBUTION RECORDS OF HESPERIIDAE AND

LYCAENIDAE (LEPIDOPTERA) FROM NORTHERN

QUEENSLAND

R.G. EASTWOOD

50 Broadwater Terrace, Redland Bay, Qld 4165

Abstract

Range extensions in northern Queensland are given for Toxidia inornata inornata (Butler),

Acrodipsas myrmecophila (Waterhouse & Lyell), Pseudodipsas cephenes Hewitson,

Hypochrysops miskini miskini (Waterhouse) and Udara tenella tenella (Miskin).

Records

HESPERIIDAE

Toxidia inornata inornata (Butler)

A male was collected in January 1994 at the headwaters of Lankelly Creek in

the southern MclIlwraith Range, Cape York Peninsula, approximately 8 km

NE of Coen. This locality extends the known distribution 130 km south

from its previous southern limit at the Claudie River (Common and

Waterhouse 1981).

LYCAENIDAE

Acrodipsas myrmecophila (Waterhouse & Lyell)

Three males were collected in October 1988 and July 1990 on a hilltop

approximately 3 km north of the Palmer River Roadhouse, Cape York

Peninsula. On both occasions adults were flying with A. hirtipes Sands.

The previous northern limit in Queensland of A. myrmecophila is Blackdown

Tableland (Dunn and Dunn 1991) and in the Northern Territory the only site

known is Burrells Trig (Dunn and Dunn 1991). This new record is

significant because it establishes an intermediate site some 1000 km north

and 1500 km east of its nearest known localities.

Pseudodipsas cephenes Hewitson

A female collected in September 1993 at MclIvor River Road, 35 km NW of

Cooktown, extends the range for this species approximately 120 km north

from Daintree (Dunn and Dunn 1991).

Hypochrysops miskini miskini (Waterhouse)

Three females were collected in September 1993, two at the MclIvor River

Road and one 6 km further south at Isabella Falls. These localities extend the

known range 70 km north from Cedar Bay (Sands 1986).

Udara tenella tenella (Miskin)

In January 1994 several males were collected and several more observed at Mt

Misery, some 40 km south of Cooktown. Kuranda has been regarded

previously as the most northerly locality for this species (Common and

76 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Waterhouse 1981, Dunn and Dunn 1991). Adults have also been collected

recently at Cape Tribulation (an intermediate locality) by S. Lamond (J.

Olive, pers. comm.). This species appears to be more widespread than

previously thought.

Acknowledgment

Dr D.P.A. Sands confirmed the identity of Acrodipsas myrmecophila.

References

COMMON, L.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. 2nd Ed. Angus &

Robertson, Sydney; 682 pp.

DUNN, K.L. and DUNN, L.E. 1991. Review of Australian Butterflies: Distribution, Life

History and Taxonomy. Privately published, Melbourne; 660 pp.

SANDS, D.P.A. 1986. Revision of the genus Hypochrysops C. & R. Felder (Lepidoptera:

Lycaenidae). Entmonograph 7: 1-116.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 71

ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF BUTTERFLIES TAKEN AT

LIGHT IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND

R.G. EASTWOOD

50 Broadwater Terrace, Redland Bay, Qld 4165

Abstract

Six additional butterfly species are recorded at light traps in northern Queensland:

Neohesperilla xiphiphora (Lower), Melanitis leda bankia (Fabricius), Hypochrysops ignitus

chrysonotus Grose-Smith, Arhopala centaurus centaurus (Fabricius), Candalides absimilis

(Felder) and Ogyris zosine typhon Waterhouse & Lyell.

Introduction

Kitching and Harmsen (1992) recorded 7 species of butterflies collected at

light in northern Queensland. During a 4 week field trip to Cape York

Peninsula in January 1994, a mercury vapour light trap was set up most

nights from dusk until around midnight. Butterflies were observed at the

light sheet on 5 nights: 1, 2, 3, 14 & 21 January.

Records

HESPERIIDAE

Neohesperilla xiphiphora (Lower)

One male at the Coleman River crossing, 18 km west of Musgrave on

1.i.1994, in dry eucalypt woodland. Another male on 3.i.1994 at the

Normanby River crossing on Battle Camp road, west of Cooktown.

NYMPHALIDAE

Melanitis leda bankia (Fabricius)

One male at Shipton's Flat, 30 km south of Cooktown on 21.1.1994,

adjacent to rainforest. `

LYCAENIDAE

Hypochrysops ignitus chrysonotus Grose-Smith

One male 13 km west of Fairview Homestead on 2.i.1994, in dry eucalypt

scrub. Taken on the ground walking towards the light sheet.

Arhopala centaurus centaurus (Fabricius)

One male 13 km west of Musgrave on 14.i.1994, in dry eucalypt woodland.

Candalides absimilis (Felder)

One male at Shipton's Flat, 30 km south of Cooktown on 21.1.1994,

adjacent to rainforest.

Ogyris zosine typhon Waterhouse & Lyell

One male collected by G. Daniels on the Kennedy river, 24 km west of

Fairview Homestead on 14.iv.1989. Taken on the ground walking towards

78 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

the light trap some 4 metres distant.

Comments

In all cases males were collected. This is in contrast to Kitching and

Harmsen (1992), in which 7 of their 8 specimens were female. All

specimens were taken on the light sheet except where indicated. Adults of all

species except H. ignitus chrysonotus were in evidence during the day and it

is probable that the butterflies were attracted to the light after being disturbed

from nearby resting places.

Brou (1974) recorded 607 butterflies representing 28 species taken at 3 light

traps operated over a 12 month period in Louisiana. It is probable that many

more species will be taken at light traps in northern Queensland, especially in

areas where adult numbers are high.

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank G. Daniels for permission to publish his record of O.

zosine typhon and for helpful comments.

References

BROU, V.A., Jr. 1974. Butterflies taken in light traps. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society

28: 331.

KITCHING, R.L. and HARMSEN, R. 1992. Butterflies taken at light in north Queensland

rainforest. Australian Entomological Magazine 19: 103-105.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 79

LEPIDIOTA BRITTONI, A NEW SPECIES FROM COASTAL

NEW SOUTH WALES (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE:

MELOLONTHINAE)

P.G. ALLSOPP! and S.G. WATKINS?

"Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, P.O. Box 651, Bundaberg, Qld 4670

2RMB Caparra, N.S.W. 2429

Abstract

Lepidiota brittoni sp. n. is described from specimens of both sexes taken 10 km northeast of

Wingham in central coastal New South Wales.

Introduction

Lepidiota Kirby is a large genus of white grubs which occurs from India and

China, south through the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea to the

northern half of Australia. The Australian species were last revised by

Britton (1978), with another four species being described since (Britton 1985;

Allsopp 1989, 1990); 58 Australian species are known.

This paper describes a further species from central coastal New South Wales.

Its occurrence there extends the known distribution of the genus further to the

south in eastern Australia; L. ciliata Britton, L. negatoria Blackburn, L.

picticollis Lea and L. squamulata Waterhouse are all known south to about

30°S (Britton 1978).

Lepidiota brittoni sp. n.

(Figs 1, 2)

Types - NEW SOUTH WALES: holotype &, W Boundary Road, Yarrat

S[tate] F[orest] [31°48'S, 152°25'E], 7.i.1994, S. Watkins and J. Stockard (in

Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC), registered number 121);

paratypes: 230, 1399, same data as holotype; 299, same data except

11.1.1994; 30°C, 699, same data except 23.1.1994; 329, same data except

14.11.1994; 1g, same data except 17.ii.1994; 10°, same data except

27.ii.1994; 19, same data except 5.iii.1994; 299, same locality, 30.i.1994,

S. Watkins (ANIC, Australian Museum, Allsopp collection, Watkins

collection, Queensland Department of Primary Industries [Mareeba]).

Description

MALE: Length 24-28 mm. Body and legs reddish brown to almost black on

head, antennae and palpi brown. Labrum deeply bilobed, almost to base,

anterior surface setose. Clypeus with anterior face glabrous and impunctate

on median third, setose laterally; upper surface with anterior edge concave in

the middle and broadly rounded on each side, maximum width 4.4 times mid

length, surface punctate, near anterior margin each puncture with an elliptical

white scale, scales towards posterior more circular. Frons slightly convex,

coarsely punctured, each puncture enclosing an almost circular white scale,

scales larger and more elongate along ocular margins; angle between lateral

80 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

edge of clypeus and ocular canthus obviously obtuse. Terminal segment of

maxillary palp fusiform, elongate, 3.5-3.8 times as long as maximum width,

with an elongate-elliptical, flat, minutely strigose area on upper-outer side.

Antenna 10-segmented with a 3-segmented club; club 1.3-1.35 mm long,

slightly longer than segments 3-7 combined. Pronotum with a narrow raised

anterior margin continuous from side to side; raised posterior margin on

middle half of each side, less defined laterally, very slightly interrupted in

middle; disc uniformly punctured, punctures enclosing circular white scales,

punctures slightly more dense along lateral margins and in posterolateral

angles with scales more elongate, surface between punctures smooth and

shining; maximum width 1.6-1.7 times mid length. Scutellum sparsely

punctured, with white scales like disc of pronotum. Elytra punctate, the

punctures each bearing a slightly ovoid scale; intervals 1, 3 and 5 slightly

convex and with fewer punctures than broader intervals 2, 4 and 6.

Propygidium densely setose on anterior two-thirds, posterior third with

elongate white scales. Pygidium more densely punctate than elytra, about

50-60 mm”, each puncture bearing an ovoid white scale, fine long setae on

margin at apex. Pronotal hypomera shining and without scales or punctures

in a broad band between outer edge of coxal cavity and lateral edge of

pronotum. Mesepisternum clothed with long thin setae. Mesepimeron

clothed with elongate white scales, some long thin setae on outer edge and in

posterolateral angles. Metepisternum with long fine setae on extreme

anterior, middle and posterior clothed with elongate white scales.

Metasternum clothed with dense long fine setae, without scales.

Metepimeron with patch of elongate white scales and longer fine setae on

outer margin, remainder clothed with long fine setae. Mid and hind coxae

with elongate white scales and long setae on outer edges. Ventrites 3 and 4

with elliptical scales 3-4 times as long as wide, more crowded towards sides,

central scales more ovoid; ventrites 5-8 with ovoid scales, less dense in centre

than on sides, ventrites 7-8 with few scattered long setae in addition.

Aedeagus with asymmetrical parameres (Figs 1-2).

FEMALE: Length 23-27 mm. Antennal club 1.1 mm long. Pygidium with

scales less dense, about 40-50 mm. Posterior margin of ventrite 8 slightly

indented. Otherwise like male.

Etymology

The species is named for Ev Britton whose studies of the Australian

Melolonthini provide the foundation for this paper.

Comments

Lepidiota brittoni is the southernmost member of a group of species

including L. yorkensis Britton (Cape York Peninsula), L. caudata Blackburn

(in or near northeastern Queensland rainforest), L. gibbifrons Britton (in

northeastern and central Queensland open forest), and L. noxia Britton

(southeastern Queensland) (Britton 1978, 1985; Allsopp 1989, 1990;

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 81

Figs 1-2. Lepidiota brittoni aedeagus: (1) lateral view; (2) apical view.

Chandler 1989). L. caudata and L. noxia are pests of sugarcane (Allsopp et

al. 1993), while larvae of L. gibbifrons are known to damage pineapples in

central Queensland (R. M. Bull, pers. comm.). The type locality of L.

brittoni is a fire break separating open forest from grazing land. The cleared

areas contain immigrant Allocasuarina with mixed heath forbes. Syncarpia,

Eucalyptus and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii dominate the forested area.

Species of the group are very similar and are best distinguished by the form of

the aedeagus (compare Figs 1, 2 with Figs 1-6 in Britton (1985)); the

aedeagus of L. brittoni is less depressed at the apex of the left side (lower side

in Fig. 1), has more pronounced ridges on the upper surface (Fig. 2), has the

82 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

apex of the right side more flattened and broader and with a larger indentation

on the lateral margin (Fig. 1), and has sharper inner points (Fig. 2) than in L.

noxia (Britton 1985, Figs 3, 4). In addition, L. brittoni differs from L. noxia

by having denser scales on the pygidium (35 mm? in noxia).

Lepidiota brittoni can be incorporated into Britton's (1978) key with the

following modifications which also incorporate the changes suggested by

Allsopp (1989):

11. Angle between the lateral edge of the clypeus and the ocular canthus

SQUdLCHrettitserattudderecstissttiserstovettsact N E t imme an tor tte ten: 12

Angle between the lateral edge of the clypeus and the ocular canthus

IAOEE O EA A IE TASAA teeter treet lla

lla. Surface of the frons strongly convex, with a marked anterior declivity

(Britton 1978, Fig. 280C); aedeagus as in Britton (1985, Figs 1, 2);

female with a sharply defined declivity at the apex of the terminal

yentrite A AAS A EE tes PAET, TO eee gibbifrons Britton

Surface of the frons less strongly convex, without a marked declivity;

female with the apex of the terminal ventrite with at the most a slight

Indentation yes, nA As tress clad on ceases ss NEE E ree eee 11b

llb. Scales of the pygidium denser, in males 50-60 mm”, in females 40-50

mm”; aedeagus as in Figs 1, 2; female with a slight indentation of the

apex of the terminal ventrite ................ brittoni Allsopp and Watkins

Scales of the pygidium less dense, 35 mm”; aedeagus as in Britton

(1985, Figs 3, 4); female without any indentation at the apex of the

terminal,Ventrite). seen ae en een, noxia Britton

References

ALLSOPP, P.G. 1989. Two new species of Lepidiota Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae:

Melolonthinae) from Australia with notes on L. noxia Britton. Journal of ‘the Australian

Entomological Society 28: 39-43.

ALLSOPP, P.G. 1990. Two new species and new distribution records of Australian

Melolonthini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Coleopterist's Bulletin 44: 217-223.

ALLSOPP, P.G., CHANDLER, K.J., SAMSON, P.R. and STORY, P.S. 1993. Pests of Australian

sugarcane. 94 pp. Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Brisbane.

BRITTON, E.B. 1978. A revision of the Australian chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae:

Melolonthinae) Vol. 2. Tribe Melolonthini. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series

60: 1-150.

BRITTON, E.B. 1985. Lepidiota noxia sp. n. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), a pest

of sugarcane in Queensland. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 24: 117-119.

CHANDLER, K.J. 1989. Notes on the life cycle, pest status and control of Lepidiota caudata

Blackburn (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), a pest of sugarcane in north Queensland.

Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 11: 93-99.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 83

A NEW SPECIES OF MESODINA MEYRICK

(LEPIDOPTERA: HESPERIIDAE)

FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

E.D. EDWARDS! and A.J. GRAHAM?

'CSIRO, Division of Entomology, G.P.O. Box 1700, Canberra, A.C.T. 2601

2Curtin University of Technology, P.O. Box 597, Kalgoorlie, W.A. 6430

Abstract

Mesodina hayi sp. n. is described from southern Western Australia. Adults and the male and

female genitalia are figured and characters to distinguish M. hayi from M. cyanophracta

Lower are listed. The number of subapical spots in M. gracillima Edwards is discussed and a

key to the species of Mesodina Meyrick provided.

Introduction

The genus Mesodina Meyrick was reviewed by Edwards (1987), who presented

evidence that M. cyanophracta Lower, until then regarded as a subspecies of

M. halyzia (Hewitson), should be regarded as a separate species. At that time

M. cyanophracta was the only species of Mesodina known from southern

Western Australia.

In October 1987 one of us (AJG) captured a pair of skippers at Quairading,

150 km E of Perth, W. A. which could not be identified. They were believed

to represent an undescribed species but their relationship to other Hesperiidae

was not known. Independently, in November 1992 the other author (EDE)

with E.S. Nielsen took four specimens also at Quairading. With the

commencement of a project in 1994 to revise Common & Waterhouse

(1981), these specimens were examined and proved to be a hitherto

unrecognised species of Mesodina.

Key to the species of Mesodina Meyrick

1. Cream spots of fore wing with upstanding scales

NIERE I ee ee ee arcane R ecsitivictsies, 2

Cream or yellow spot(s) of fore wing with scales

Hatteneditowwines(Bissel ALO) geese E teers E nee 4

2. Male fore wing upperside almost always without

Subapical{spotspeamseeesset teatere rt eee anni ae halyzia (Hewitson)

Male fore wing upperside almost always with

threemsubapicalMspotSmerreererrrsts: E eee ee ee 3

3. Underside of hind wing reddish grey ..................00000- gracillima Edwards

Underside of hind wing bluish grey ...............00000 cyanophracta Lower

4. Underside of fore wing with large orange patch

Haa scprsses dong ort ractie doce concoct epoca A corer ee aeluropis Meyrick

Underside of fore wing without large orange

patchhin{cell Wes—toh ee, seem op rat eae A A PC 2. UNE oes T hayi sp. n.

84 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Mesodina hayi sp. n.

(Figs 5-8, 10, 12)

Types. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Holotype &, 32°01'S, 117°23'E, 2 km

SW of Quairading, W.A., 2.xi.1992 E.D. Edwards, E.S. Nielsen (in

Australian National Insect Collection). Paratypes: 200, 19, same data as

holotype but 1 with ANIC slide 3424 and 19 with ANIC slide 3427 (in

Australian National Insect Collection); 10, 19, Quairading, W.A. 18.x.87,

A.J. Graham (in Western Australian Museum); 60°C’, 19, 2 km SW

Quairading, several pupae found near eastern side of Nature Reserve, No.

16405, A.A.E. Williams, 11, 21, 24.x. & 3.xi.1994 (in W.A. Department of

Conservation and Land Management Collection).

Description

Male (Figs 5, 7)

Head grey with some black scales, antennal shaft black ringed with cream,

apiculus blunt, black anteriorly, cream posteriorly, nudum 17 divisions; labial

palpi grey above with some black scales, white to pale grey beneath. Thorax,

legs, abdomen grey-black above, grey-white beneath. Fore wing costa almost

straight, apex pointed, termen almost straight; above dark brown with

scattered grey scales towards base of costa and a few yellow hair scales at base

and along dorsum; cream spots variable in number, one, two or three very

small, one at end of cell always present, one between M3 and CuA1 and one

between CuA1 and CuA2 sometimes present, subapical spots always absent,

cilia grey and brown; beneath brown, apical area grey, spots as upperside,

yellow hair scales in cell. Hindwing rounded, above dark brown, some yellow

hair scales towards base, cilia grey and brown; beneath grey, a spot at end of

cell outlined in dark grey, an outer row of similar smaller spots, anal area

paler grey, cilia grey, darker at ends of veins. Fore wing length 12-14 mm.

Genitalia (Fig. 10): combined tegumen and uncus long tapering, tip down

pointed, gnathos with fine sparse spicules; valva with ampulla well developed

with tapering rounded tip, harpe narrow, dorsal surface with toothed

projection; saccus well developed; aedeagus slender.

Female (Figs 6, 8)

Similar to male but fore wing with apex and termen more rounded, cream

spots of fore wing larger and with three confluent subapical cream spots

appearing as a single spot, distal margins of spots except cell spot ill-defined.

Fore wing length 14-15 mm.

Genitalia (Fig. 12): sterigma lightly developed, corpus bursae with long

narrow posterior section, accessory sac well developed.

Variation

The known specimens differ in size. In the male the fore wing cream cell

spot is always present but all or some of the other spots may be absent.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 85

Y = Smm

7 W 8 y Ue

Figs 1-8. Mesodina spp.: males odd numbers, females even numbers; SOO

and underside; (1-4) M. cyanophracta; (5-8) M. hayi.

86 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Figs 9,10. Male genitalia with left valva removed: (9) M. cyanophracta ANIC

slide M572; (10) M. hayi ANIC slide 3424.

Distribution

The species is known only from the small area of native vegetation

surrounding the town of Quairading, southern Western Australia.

Etymology

The species is named in honour of Mr R. W. Hay, whose efforts have kindled

a resurgence of interest in the butterflies of Western Australia and who has

provided generous assistance to both authors over many years.

Discussion

Mesodina hayi posesses the normal characters of the genus, namely the long

tapering combined uncus and tegumen, harpe with spined dorsal process,

corpus bursae with accessory sac, absence of median spurs on the hind tibia

and absence of a sex brand in the male. The origin of CuA1 is slightly closer

to M3 than to CuA2 in the fore wing and it is much closer to M3 than to

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 87

Figs 11,12. Female genitalia: (11) M. cyanophracta ANIC slide M583; (12) M.

hayi ANIC slide 3427.

CuA2 in the hind wing and in this M. hayi resembles the other species of

Mesodina. The male and female genitalia have all the attributes of Mesodinu

and none of those of Croitana Waterhouse (Edwards, 1979). M. hayi, with a

fore wing length of 12-14 mm, is smaller than M. cyanophracta which

averages 15 mm. A few specimens of M. cyanophracta are as small as M.

hayi but usually these may be distinguished by the three subapical spots

present in M. cyanophracta and absent in M. hayi. Occasionally very small

M. cyanophracta lack subapical spots. The grey underside of the hind wing of

88 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

SNe y D page

M. hayi differs from the underside of M. cyanophracta. In M. cyanophracta,

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 89

M. hayi differs from the underside of M. cyanophracta. In M. cyanophracta,

unless very worn, the hind wing underside has a bluish sheen and the spots are

less distinct. The anal area in M. cyanophracta is pale brown without the

bluish sheen but in M. hayi it is a paler grey. Another useful distinction is

in the orientation of the wing scales of the cream spots. These spots are

semihyaline in M. cyanophracta and light shines through them. Examination

under a low power microscope reveals that the cream scales are erect (Figs 13,

14). This is also true of M. gracillima Edwards and M. halyzia (Hewitson).

These erect scales are visible even in specimens of M. cyanophracta with the

smallest spots. In contrast these scales in M. aeluropis Meyrick and M. hayi

are not erect but flattened tile-like against the wing membrane in the normal

way (Figs 15, 16) and the spots are almost opaque. Semihyaline spots

composed of erect scales are found widely in the Trapezitinae and Hesperiinae

and no special significance should be attached to their presence or absence but

here they are useful in distinguishing the species.

In the male genitalia (Fig. 10) of M. hayi the tegumen-uncus has a longer tip

but does not project beyond the apex of the valva, the ampulla is narrower and

less rounded at the tip and the harpe is tapering and rounded without the

expanded tip characteristic of M. cyanophracta (Fig. 9). The aedeagus of M.

hayi is narrower than that of M. cyanophracta.

In the female genitalia (Fig. 12) the sterigma are arranged differently and the

corpus bursae of M. hayi has a long narrow posterior section unlike the

shorter, broader posterior section of M. cyanophracta (Fig. 11).

M. hayi is known only from Quairading but it possibly once had a more

extensive range in the now cleared wheat belt of W.A. The distribution of M.

cyanophracta is incompletely known. Common and Waterhouse (1981) gave

a coastal and subcoastal distribution from Geraldton to the Stirling Ranges

and more recently Dunn and Dunn (1991) recorded it from 36 km W of Binnu

(28°02'S) to Albany and the Stirling Ranges. There are more recent

specimens collected by EDE and E.S. Nielsen from near Kalbarri (27°41'S)

and from the southern coast as far east as Esperance. However in the latitude

of Perth the species’ eastern limit is not well known but it occurs in the

Darling Range and the coastal plain. We know of no specimens of M.

cyanophracta from the Quairading area. Waterhouse and Lyell (1914) recorded

a specimen of M. cyanophracta from Kellerberrin, 50 km NE of Quairading. .

There is a specimen in the Western Australian Museum labelled "Kellerberrin

Nov. 1912 6403" which is probably that referred to by Waterhouse and Lyell.

The register records that it was donated by L. McK. Burns. It is a specimen

of M. cyanophracta. Further work is needed to determine if the two species

are sympatric.

Figs 13-16. Wing showing margins of cream spots (13,15) and scales of spot

(14,16): (13,14) M. cyanophracta; (15,16) M. aeluropis. Scale bars: (13,15) 100

microns; (14,16) 10 microns.

90 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

The biology of M. hayi has recently been discovered at Quairading and will be

published by Williams and Atkins (in prep.).

Only two males of M. gracillima were known when it was described by

Edwards (1987) and the normal number of subapical spots was in doubt.

Since then many specimens have been taken and most of these have three

subapical spots but occasionally specimens have none, one or two.

Acknowledgments

We thank Mr A. Atkins and Dr M.F. Braby for comments that stimulated us

to investigate the generic identity of this species. We are grateful to Mr K.L.

Dunn, Mr R.W. Hay, Mr A.A.E. Williams and Mr M.R. Williams for

comments and distributional information. Dr T.F. Houston, W.A. Museum,

Mr M.S. Moulds, Australian Museum, and Ms Catriona McPhee, Museum of

Victoria, kindly searched for a specimen recorded by Waterhouse and Lyell.

Mr C. Beaton and Ms Helen Geier took the SEM photographs and Mr J.

Green and Ms K. Smith the other photographs. Valuable comments on the

manuscript were received from Drs E.S. Nielsen and Marianne Horak.

References

COMMON, I.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. Pp. xiv + 682.

Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

DUNN, K.L. and DUNN, L.E. 1991. Review of Australian Butterflies: distribution, life history

and taxonomy. Part 2: Family Hesperiidae. Pp. ii + 197-335. Privately published, Bayswater.

EDWARDS, E.D. 1979. Two new species of Croitana Waterhouse (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

from central Australia. Australian Entomological Magazine 6: 29-38.

EDWARDS, E.D. 1987. A new species of Mesodina Meyrick from the Northern Territory

(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). Australian Entomological Magazine 14: 4-12.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. and LYELL, G. 1914. Butterflies of Australia. Pp. vi + 239. Angus and

Robertson, Sydney.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 91

THE LIFE HISTORY OF METAMIMAS AUSTRALASIAE

(DONOVAN) (LEPIDOPTERA: SPHINGIDAE)

H.E. (Mike) GROTH

28 Bothwell Street, Toowoomba, Qld 4350

Abstract

The life history of the hawk moth Metamimas australasiae (Donovan) is described and figured

and observations on biology and behaviour are recorded.

Introduction

The hawk moth Metamimas australasiae is one of Australia's largest hawk

moths, occurring from Cairns to southern coastal New South Wales

(Common 1990). Larvae have been recorded previously feeding on two

species of Eucalyptus, E. elata and E. saligna (Moulds 1984).

On 7.ii.1993, I was given a live female M. australasiae in a small cardboard

box. Between its capture the previous night and delivery to me it laid 12

eggs. The following description of the life history and adult behaviour are

based on larvae and adults reared from these eggs.

Methods

The eggs were removed from the cardboard on which they were laid and placed

in a covered petri dish. Upon hatching the larvae were supplied with young

shoots of Eucalyptus tereticornis, a food plant previously unrecorded for M.

australasiae. As the larvae grew, older foliage was supplied.

The larvae were housed in a rectangular plastic container, 135 mm x 130 mm

x 330 mm high. Cuttings were placed in a small bottle of water standing on

the base of the container and were replaced as necessary to maintain a fresh

food supply. From the beginning of the third instar, larvae were housed in a

larger cage, 540 mm x 450 mm x 760 mm high, with perspex on three sides,

a wooden base and gauze on one side and the top. Pupation took place in one

of two rectangular plastic containers, 330 mm x 135 mm x 130 mm high, in

which soil, bark chips and dead leaves were provided. One of the containers

had a clear PVC base to allow the structure of the shelter to be observed. As

each larva began searching for a pupation site it was transferred to one of these

containers. Every few days the substrate in which the larvae had pupated was

lightly misted with water.

Life History

Egg: Diameter 3 mm; spherical but with a very slightly flattened base. Green

when first laid but after 11 days developed a reddish brown band roughly 0.5

mm wide which, on most, completely encircled the egg approximately 0.6

mm down from the upper surface. Seventeen days after the eggs were laid the

green colour changed to a pale whitish green. The eggs hatched 22-23 days

after oviposition.

92 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

First instar: Length 12 mm. Head green, produced anteriorly to a fine bifid

point, apically tinged with red; apical three segments of thoracic legs tinged

with red; thorax and abdomen green with a dorsolateral yellow stripe and a

number of faint yellow oblique lateral stripes; numerous tiny yellow

protuberances on most of body giving it a roughened appearance; posterior tip

of anal prolegs tinged with red.

Second instar (Fig. 1): Length 28 mm. Head mostly green, covered with

numerous tiny yellow protuberances, strongly produced to a fine bifid point,

apically tinged reddish brown, yellowish towards base; apical three segments

of thoracic legs tinged with red; thorax and abdomen green with a dosolateral

yellow stripe, much fainter on the mid abdominal segments; numerous tiny

yellow protuberances on most of body giving a roughened appearance; yellow

oblique lateral stripes slightly darker than first instar.

Third instar (Fig. 2): Length 48 mm. Head green, covered with numerous

tiny yellow protuberances, strongly produced to a fine bifid point, apically

tinged reddish brown; apical three segments of thoracic legs tinged with red;

thorax and abdomen green with a dosolateral yellow stripe on thorax and first

three abdominal segments; abdomen with six yellow oblique lateral stripes,

the most posterior very distinct.

Fourth instar (Fig. 3): Length 65 mm. As in earlier instars, but yellow

dorsolateral stripe running from near red bifid tip of head to the second

abdominal segment; abdomen with six yellow oblique lateral stripes, the most

posterior very distinct.

Fifth instar (Fig. 4): Length 117 mm. Head bluish green, reduced to a

slightly bifid, blunt conical shape; thorax and abdomen bluish green, slightly

greener on the last few abdominal segments; the posterior oblique lateral

stripe very distinctly yellow, with a small purplish, irregularly shaped blotch

just above it and near its dorsal end; tiny yellow protuberances on body

conspicuous, giving larva a very roughened appearance.

Pre-pupal larva: As fifth instar but most of the green dorsal and dorsolateral

areas of thorax and abdomen brownish green; tiny yellow protuberances

unchanged.

Pupa (Fig. 5): Length 68 mm. Stout, shiny, dark brown, almost black; head

and thorax fairly smooth, antennae reaching to about two-thirds length of fore

wings, labial palpi and fore femora not exposed; proboscis and mesothoracic

tarsi reaching to anterior margin of abdominal segment 4, fore wings to

posterior margin of segment 4; abdominal segments with numerous fine

transverse grooves and narrow anterior bands of punctures, segments 5 and 6

moveable, with small ventral depressions representing ventral prolegs of

larva; cremaster short, deeply grooved, tapering, apically acute.

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 93

Figs 1-7. Larvae, pupa and adults of Metamimas australasiae: (1) Second

instar larva; (2) Third instar larva; (3) Fourth instar larva; (4) Fifth instar

larva; (5) Pupa; (6) Adult male at rest; (7) Adult male in defensive posture.

94 Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995

Behaviour

Larvae: All instars rested with their pointed heads directed anteriorly. During

development they fed singly. Third and later instars twitched or slightly jerked

their heads dorsally when approached or disturbed; this action continued for

some minutes after the initial stimulus and nearby larvae often behaved

similarly. When at rest, third and later instars rested in a head downward

position, usually only grasping the support by the anal claspers and the

ventral prolegs of abdominal segment 6. Just prior to pupation the larvae

exhibited another remarkable behaviour, for which I have not been able to

ascertain a function. This involved coating much of the body with a clear,

somewhat viscous liquid from the mouth. The liquid glistened on the sides of

the larvae and often contained small bubbles. Following this action the larvae

rested for a period of two to three hours, by which time their colour changed

to that of the pre-pupal stage, before searching for a suitable pupation site.

The larval stage lasted for an average of 345 days, including a pre-pupal

resting stage of 6 days after the pupal cell had been constructed. Although the

five larvae reared to maturity all came from the same batch of eggs, hatched

within 24 hours of each other and were reared under the same conditions, there

was a variation of up to three weeks in the duration of the third and subsequent

instars.

Pupa: Pupation took place in a shelter constructed of soil particles and leaf and

bark litter combined with silk. Shelters measured approximately 78 mm

long, 38 mm wide, 23 mm high and were irregularly oval in shape. Newly

formed pupae were mostly green with some brownish areas on the ventral

surface. After about 24 hours the colour changed to very dark shiny brown,

almost black. The average pupal duration for larvae which pupated in

February was 37 days.

Adult: Males of M. australasiae possess an expandable hair-pencil (Fig. 7) on

each side near the base of the abdomen. By dissecting the abdomen I found

that each pencil was enclosed in a pocket formed by a fold in the pleural

membrane on abdominal segments 2 and 3. The base of the hair-pencil was

attached to the pleural membrane of segment 2 directly ventral to the second

abdominal spiracle. The dorsal margin of sternite 2 in the vicinity of the

pocket and the entire dorsal margin of sternite 3 was heavily sclerotised. The

pockets in the pleural membranes and the hair-pencils have not been recorded

in any other species of Sphingidae. At rest (Fig. 6) adults hung from a branch

and the tip of the abdomen was curved dorsally, the rest of the abdomen held

ventrally and the head depressed. In this resting posture the hair-pencils were

retracted. When the adult was disturbed, by gently bumping the branch on

which it was resting or by touching it, the tip of the abdomen was thrust

ventrally and the valvae were opened widely to expose the black inner area,

which made the surrounding orange area appear more prominent.

Simultaneously, the hair-pencils on the abdomen ‘were expanded (Fig. 7);

Australian Entomologist 22 (3) September 1995 95

when expanded the array of hairs measured 11 mm in diameter. This posture

was held from a few to 20 seconds before the resting position was resumed.

The function of the hair-pencils was not ascertained. Females exhibited a

similar defensive behaviour but were without the expandable hair-pencils.

Newly emerged adults of M. australasiae also squirted one or several 'bursts' of

meconium from the anus when in the defensive position. This occurred

almost every time that the defensive posture was adopted. The fluid was

squirted distances of up to 15 cm and occurred up to 24 hours after eclosion,

the maximum period that any of the reared specimens was kept alive. The

two reared females were 15 & 30 mm smaller in wingspan than the parent

female. As ample fresh food was supplied at all times during the larval

development it is possible that the species of Eucalyptus used may have had

unsuitable nutrient levels or that the cuttings, although kept as fresh as

possible, were not sufficiently nutritious to permit maximum growth.

Discussion

The mature larva of M. australasiae is similar to that of Coequosa triangularis

(Donovan). Both lack the caudal spine which is present in the larva of most

Australian sphingids. The shining black, eye-like spot present on the anal

clasper of the larva of C. triangularis is absent in M. australasiae and the

yellow protuberances which give the larvae of both species a roughened

appearance are much shorter in M. australasiae than in C. triangularis.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dr Ian Common of Toowoomba for his advice and

assistance while preparing this paper and his constructive criticism of the

initial draft. I am also grateful to my wife Jenny and my two children, Sandi

and Logan, for their help in caring for the larvae and to my neighbour

Caroline Borscher for access to her property to gather cuttings from the food

plant. I also thank Mr Tony Leavesley of Toowoomba for bringing me the

captive female which led to the present study.

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THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 22, Part 3, 29 September 1995

CONTENTS

ALLSOPP, P.G. and WATKINS, S.G.

Lepidiota brittoni, a new species from coastal New South Wales (Coleoptera:

Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae). 79

EASTWOOD, R.G.

New distribution records of Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) from

northern Queensland. 15

EASTWOOD, R.G.

Additional records of butterflies taken at light in northern Queensland. 77

EDWARDS, E.D. and GRAHAM, AJ.

A new species of Mesodina Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Western

Australia. 83

FRANZMANN, B.A. and LLOYD, RJ.

Sorghum midge Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in

Australia produces unisexual progeny. 69

GROTH, H.E.

The life history of Metamimas australasiae (Donovan)

Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). 91

JOHNSON, S.J., JOHNSON, I.R. and VALENTINE, P.S.

Notes on the early stages of Orsotriaena medus moira Waterhouse & Lyell

and Melanitis constantia Cramer (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

from Torres Strait, Australia. 65

MACKEY, A.P.

BOOK REVIEW Index of Economically Important Lepidoptera.. 74

SAMSON, P.R. and WILSON, D.N.

The life history of Candalides gilberti Waterhouse (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). 71

RECENT LITERATURE

An accumulative bibliography of Australian entomology. 96

ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES Inside back cover.

ISSN 1320 6133