THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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Fly Group

Cover: The cornelian butterfly, Deudorix epijarbas (Moore) is distributed from Cape

York, Qld south to the Gosford area, N.S.W. The male is strikingly coloured orange-

red and black above and pale brown below. The larvae feed within the seed capsule

of several rainforest plants, including Harpullia, Macadamia and Buckinghamia.

From an original etching by Geoff Thompson.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 33-36 33

NOTES ON “TYPES” OF THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF

THE ROPALIDIA INTERRUPTA COMPLEX. ;

(HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE: POLISTINAE)—_

Jun-ichi Kojima

Natural History Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University, Mito, 310-8512 Japan

Abstract

Notes are provided on “types” of the following Australian taxa of the Ropalidia interrupta

complex: R. variegata interrupta van der Vecht, R. variegata flavinoda van der Vecht,

R. mutabilis mutabilis Richards and R. mutabilis torresiana Richards.

Introduction

In his monograph on the Australian social wasps, Richards (1978) treated

Ropalidia variegata interrupta van der Vecht, 1941 as a valid full species

and R. variegata flavinoda van der Vecht, 1941 as a subspecies of

interrupta, and described R. mutabilis and its subspecies torresiana as a

species closely related to R. interrupta. His conclusions, however, were not

based on the examination of any types of R. interrupta or R. flavinoda.

Richards (1978: 89) stated that the holotypes of interrupta and flavinoda

‘should be at Harvard but could not be found, and may have been lost when

Van der Vecht returned them by post in 1941’. Elsewhere (Kojima 1999), I

revised the taxonomy of the Australian Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville and

concluded that the holotypes of R. variegata interrupta and R. variegata

flavinoda were in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard

University, Cambridge (MCZ). I then treated both R. interrupta and R.

flavinoda as full species and synonymized R. mutabilis mutabilis and R. m.

torresiana respectively under R. interrupta and R. flavinoda after examining

the holotypes of both of Richards’ taxa housed in the Australian National

Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra (ANIC).

A recent visit to the Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden (NNM)

revealed a number of specimens of the R. interrupta complex that are

incorrectly or ambiguously labelled as types. These include a female labelled

as a ‘topotype’ of R. interrupta and a “pseudotype” specimen which appears to

match Richards’ (1978) original description of R. m. torresiana. In order to

avoid future nomenclatural confusion caused by this erroneous type labelling,

I here give comments on and clarify the status of the “types” of the Australian

species of the R. interrupta complex. When label data are quoted, a slash (/)

denotes the beginning of a new line on the label.

Ropalidia variegata interrupta and R. variegata flavinoda

A female in the NNM labelled ‘Thursday I./ Mar. 15/ A. Mackie/ + A. Foote

[in handwriting]’, ‘No. 45 [in handwriting]’, ‘Museum Leiden/ ex. coll. J. v. d.

Vecht [in print]’, ‘Paratype [in print on orange label]’ and ‘R. variegata (Sm.)/

var. interrupta m./ det. J. v. d. Vecht ’37 [in van der Vecht’s handwriting]’ is

undoubtedly the paratype of R. v. interrupta. In the NNM there is another

34 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

female that is labelled, in addition to the same collection label as the

paratype, with ‘ac 32367 [in handwriting]’, “Ropalidia [in print]/ interrupta

9/ interrupta v d Vecht [in van der Vecht’s handwriting]/ det. J. v. d. Vecht

1979 [in print, except last ‘9’ in van der Vecht’s handwriting]’ and

‘topotype [probably in van der Vecht’s handwriting, on red label]’. This

specimen is almost certainly not part of the type series. Van der Vecht

(1941: 158) only listed two females for R. variegata interrupta, a paratype

(the first female noted above in the NNM) and the holotype. Van der Vecht

was presumably certain that he had sent the holotype to the MCZ,

otherwise, he would not have labelled the second female specimen in the

NNM ‘topotype’. The specimens in the MCZ bearing the following labels

should be treated as the holotypes of R. v. interrupta and R. v. flavinoda

respectively: ‘Ropalidia/ variegata Sm./ subsp. interrupta?/ det. J. van der

Vecht 1963’ and ‘Ropalidia/ variegata (Sm.)/ subsp. flavinoda m/ det. J.

van der Vecht 1963’. I interpret these labels to be of later origin, with van

der Vecht’s original labels having been replaced by someone in the MCZ

(cf. Kojima 1999).

Ropalidia mutabilis mutabilis

The holotype of R. mutabilis mutabilis is in the ANIC and I could not find

any specific differences between it and the holotype of R.. interrupta in the

MCZ, and thus synonymized R. mutabilis under R. interrupta (Kojima

1999). Although I did not examine all of the paratypes of R. mutabilis in

the ANIC, those that I examined agreed with the holotype. In the NNM,

there are four females under ‘Ropalidia mutabilis’. Three females labelled

‘Museum Leiden/ W. AUSTRALIA/ Windjana Gorge/ (Kimberley)/ 16-

17.VUI.1968/ G. F. Mees’, ‘Paratype’ and ‘R. mutabilis/ mutabilis/

Richards/ t Parat. [in Richards’ handwriting]’ (one female with the last

label as ‘R. mutabilis/ mutabilis/ 9 Parat. Richards’) are certainly paratypes

of R. mutabilis, though Richards (1978: 96) stated ‘1960’ for the year of

collection. The fourth specimen, labelled ‘N. AUSTRALIA/ Port Darwin/

19/ R. C. L. Perkins Coll./ B. M. 1942-95’, ‘Paratype’, ‘Museum Leiden/ ex

collectie/ J. v. d. Vecht’ and ‘Ropalidia/ mutabilis/ Parat Rich [in Richards’

handwriting]’ is a paratype of R. mutabilis indicated to be in the Natural

History Museum, London (BMNH) in the original description. This

specimen is darker, with reduced yellow markings, than the original

description and might be one of the specimens that Richards (1978: 95)

referred to as ‘darker specimens which somewhat resemble R. interrupta

also occur ...’. Richards may have sent this specimen to van der Vecht for

confirmation or on exchange with the NNM specimens.

The NNM houses three females and a male under a manuscript name that has

never been published. Two females and the male labelled ‘Museum Leiden/

W. AUSTRALIA/ E. Kimberley/ Grottnr Wyndham/ 5.XII.1974/ G. F. Mees’

and “Museum Leiden/ Ropalidia/ interrupta 9 [or o/ impressa Rich./ det. J. v.

d. Vecht 1975? were certainly not seen by Richards. Van der Vecht might

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 35

have identified them based on comparison with the last specimen, which is

labelled “Museum Leiden/ W. AUSTRALIA/ Mount House/ (Kimberley)/

3.VIII.1968/ G. F. Mees’, ‘Paratype’ and ‘Ropalidia/ interrupta v. d. V./ spp.

impressa/ 9 Parat. Rich. [in Richards’ handwriting]’. This specimen may well

be a paratype of R. mutabilis as Richards (1978: 96) listed a female with the

same collection data except for a date of *3.vi.1968’.

All the female specimens placed under ‘mutabilis’? and the unpublished

manuscript name in the NNM did not show any specific differences from the

types (holotype and paratype) of R. interrupta.

Ropalidia mutabilis torresiana

The holotype from Iron Range and a paratype from Somerset of R. m.

torresiana are in the ANIC. Richards listed two other females from Torres

Strait as paratypes and indicated the National Museum of Victoria,

Melbourne (NMV) as the depository. I have not seen these paratypes in the

NMV, while the holotype and paratype in the ANIC generally agreed with

the holotype of R. flavinoda both in structure and coloration. On the other

hand, the types of R. m. torresiana in the ANIC differed from Richards’

original description in marking pattern; notably he referred to a yellow

marking on the first metasomal tergum only as ‘a pre-apical band’, while the

widened part of the first metasomal tergum of the holotype (and a paratype in

the ANIC) is largely yellow.

In the NNM there is a single female specimen deposited under ‘Ropalidia

mutabilis torresiana’. The specimen belongs to R. interrupta and is labelled

‘AUSTRALIA/ Banks Is.,/ Torres Strait/ 12 February 1974/ J. P. Spradbery,

Paratype’ and ‘R. mutabilis/ ssp. R /torresiana R/ 9 Paratype [in Richards’

handwriting]’. The specimen is not a paratype of R. m. torresiana, as

Richards mentioned neither Banks Island as a locality nor Spradbery as a

collector. On the other hand, the specimen agrees, in most aspects, with

Richards’ original description of R. m. torresiana. It seems clear that the

original description of R. m. torresiana was based on this “pseudotype” in

the NNM (or possibly additional “pseudotypes” in the BMNH, though I have

not seen such specimens in the BMNH) and not on the types deposited in the

Australian institutions. I (Kojima 1999) pointed out a similar case for

R. eurostoma Richards, 1978, of which the original description was

undoubtedly based on the paratypes in the BMNH, not on the holotype and a

paratype in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide (SAM); they belong to

different species, the SAM specimens to R. revolutionalis (de Saussure,

1854) and the BMNH specimens to R. interrupta.

In conclusion, the synonymies of R. mutabilis mutabilis and R. m. torresiana

respectively under R. interrupta and R. flavinoda are confirmed. Taxonomic

points still unsolved are the relationships of R. interrupta and R. flavinoda to

the Asian species R. variegata (Smith, 1852) and R. jacobsoni (du Buysson,

1908) (cf. Kojima 1999).

36 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Acknowledgments

I thank C. van Achterberg, R. de Vries, and J. Cardale for their help during

the researches in the NNM and ANIC. My thanks are also due to J. M.

Carpenter for reading the manuscript and arrangement of the loan of the

MCZ specimens, and to anonymous reviewers for valuable comments. The

present study was partly supported by the Grant-in-Aid from the Japan

Society for the Promotion of Science (No. 11833001).

References

KOJIMA, J. 1999. Taxonomic notes on Australian Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville, 1831

(Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Polistinae). Entomological Science 2: 367-377.

RICHARDS, O.W. 1978. The Australian social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Australian

Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series 61: 1-132.

van der VECHT, J. 1941. The Indo-Australian species of the genus Ropalidia (= Icaria) (Hym.,

Vespidae) (first part). Treubia 18: 103-190.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 37-38 37

FIRST RECORD OF PAPILIO MEMNON L. (LEPIDOPTERA:

PAPILIONIDAE) FROM CHRISTMAS ISLAND, INDIAN OCEAN

M.S. MOULDS' and M. HUMPHREY?’

‘Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney, NSW 2000

*Department of Crop Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006

Abstract

Papilio memnon L. is recorded from Christmas Island for the first time. Its wide distribution

across the island and the presence of both sexes suggests this large butterfly is breeding on the

island.

Introduction

Christmas Island lies in the tropics some 360 km to the south of the

Indonesian island of Java. It has an area of approximately 137 sq km and

supports a lush tropical rainforest. It is particularly interesting biologically

because of its continued isolation from other land masses since it first began

emerging from the sea some 10 mya.

The butterflies of Christmas Island have been documented in detail by

Moulds and Lachlan (1987). Twenty-two species were recorded but only

one papilionid, Papilio demoleus L., was included. Here we record the

presence of a second papilionid, Papilio memnon L.

Christmas Island records

During field work on Christmas Island in November 1999, we took two

males of Papilio memnon at Grants Well, near the centre of the island, on

the 20th and 22nd respectively. Other males were seen at Grants Well, in

addition to others near the Central Area Workshop and near the sewage

treatment works at Smith Point. A female was also sighted at the latter

location.

The two males captured conform to the nominate subspecies distributed

through Borneo, Banka, Bawean, Bali and Java, and resemble the specimen

figured by Tsukada and Nishiyama (1982: pl. 122, figs 1, 2) except that the

subterminal row of spots on the underside of the hind wing do not, for the

most part, merge with the basal coloration. The female was dominantly

white and appeared similar to that figured by Tsukada and Nishiyama

(1982: pl. 123, figs 3, 4). Papilio memnon is generally considered a

common species and well known for its leisurely flight. However, all males

encountered on Christmas Island flew rapidly and were extremely difficult

to catch. The sighted female appeared less active but it was encountered on

only one occasion, despite repeated visits to the location.

Discussion

It is not altogether unexpected that such a large butterfly, common through

Indonesia and capable of strong flight, should reach Christmas Island. The

larvae feed on Rutaceae, including Citrus, and would probably have little

38 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

trouble establishing, especially since human colonisation and the

introduction of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.)Swingle (lime), C. maxima

(Burm.)Merr. (pomelo), C. microcarpa Bunge and Clausena excavata

Burm.f. These are all likely foodplants, the latter having been recorded as a

host in Java by Dupont and Scheepmaker (1936).

It is difficult to know whether P. memnon was resident on Christmas Island

prior to human colonisation, beginning in 1888. Only three species of

Rutaceae possibly occur naturally on Christmas Island, Acronychila

trifoliolata Zooll. & Moritzi var. trifoliolata, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack,

and Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.) P. Wilson (Du Puy 1993). None of these

has been recorded as a foodplant of P. memnon. Therefore, it is most likely

that P. memnon has established since the introduction of Citrus and the

accidental introduction of eggs, larvae or pupae on potted Citrus cannot be

ruled out.

Acknowledgment

We wish to thank the Department of Environment and Heritage,

Environment Australia, for permission to collect insects on Christmas

Island.

References

DUPONT, F. and SCHEEPMAKER, G.J. 1936. Uit Java’s vlinderleven. Bibliotheek van de

Nederlandsch-Indische Natuur-historische vereeniging VII. Boekhandel and Visser, Batavia;

216pp.

DU PUY, D.J. 1993. Christmas Island. In Flora of Australia, Volume 50, Oceanic islands 2.

Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra; pp 1-30.

MOULDS, M.S. and LACHLAN, R.B. 1987. The butterflies (Lepidoptera) of Christmas Island,

Indian Ocean. Australian Entomological Magazine 14(4,5): 57-66.

TSUKADA, E. and NISHIYAMA, Y. 1982. Butterflies of the south east Asian islands. 1.

Papilionidae. English edition. Plapac, Tokyo, Japan; 457 pp, 166 pls.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 39-43 39

ANT ATTENDANCE AND NOCTURNAL FEEDING OF THE

LEAFHOPPER SMICROCOTIS OBSCURA KIRKALDY

(HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE: LEDRINAE)

D.E. SHCHERBAKOV’, M.J. FLETCHER’ and M.F. DAY?

'Paleontological Institute, 117647, Moscow, Russia

*Orange Agricultural Institute, NSW Agriculture, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800

“Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT 2601

Abstract

Smicrocotis obscura Kirkaldy feeds at night and is tended by ants of the genus Camponotus.

Details of the ant-hemipteran association and the taxonomy of Smicrocotis Kirkaldy are

discussed and compared with other known ant associations within related groups. Smicrocotis

sidnica Kirkaldy is newly synonymised with S. obscura.

Introduction

Stenocotini is a tribe of relatively primitive leafhoppers currently containing six

genera and 12 species, all confined to Australia and all feeding on the stems and

branches of Eucalyptus (Evans 1966).

Smicrocotis was erected by Kirkaldy (1906) to contain a single adult female

leafhopper from Cairns, Queensland, which he named Smicrocotis obscura

Kirkaldy. Kirkaldy (1906) also mentioned a nymph from Sydney, NSW which

he assumed belonged to the same species. He later named a second species,

S. sidnica Kirkaldy, based on a male also from Sydney (Kirkaldy 1907).

Distant (1907) described three species which Evans (1966) subsequently

synonymised with S. obscura. Evans (1937, 1947) described two additional

species in the genus, S. solomoni Evans from Crawley, WA and S. brunneus

Evans from Sydney, NSW. Evans (1966) stressed that, because of sexual

dimorphism and variation in colour and size, more material was needed before

species limits could be determined with confidence.

Smicrocotis species have been recorded from a number of localities in all

Australian States but no behaviour has been described.

Observations

During a visit to Orange, NSW, during 22-26 February 1997, the senior

author observed numbers of the common sugar ant, Camponotus

consobrinus, both large headed and normal workers, aggregating after sunset

on the trunks of several species of young eucalypts in the grounds of

Bloomfield Hospital, Orange. The area is planted with a variety of species of

eucalypts from various localities.

The ants were attending Smicrocotis obscura (see Figs 1-3). All the

eucalypts used as foodplants (Eucalyptus saligna, E. pulverulenta and other,

unidentified species) were smooth trunked, with decorticating bark under

which the leafhoppers moved when disturbed. The males were smaller,

darker and more numerous than females. Uniformly coloured nymphs were

also present and feeding. The ants tapped the leafhoppers with their antennae

40 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

and the latter expelled droplets of honeydew every 1-2 minutes and this was

vigorously consumed by the ants. Each leafhopper was usually attended by

three or four ants but up to 15 ants were seen in attendance of females on

occasion. A newly moulted adult which had not yet fed also attracted ants and

two ants were seen to be palpating nymphal exuviae. The leafhoppers were not

aggregated and remained feeding until midnight, when observations were

discontinued. Just before sunrise the leafhoppers had returned to their daytime

retreats and few Camponotus remained on the eucalypts.

The leafhoppers emerge from under bark before dark and move around the

tree, often in a crab-like fashion horizontally. The ants appear to locate the

leafhoppers by chance and then attempt to palpate them. No honeydew is

produced until the leafhopper starts to feed, which may be some distance

from the initial contact point with the ants. At this stage the leafhoppers

always have ants in attendance and neither the ants nor the leafhoppers are

disturbed by torchlight. The ants were seen at night to be attacking termites

on the eucalypts, but not the leafhoppers.

In the summers of 1998 and 1999, S. obscura was found again in February

on the same eucalypts at Orange, NSW. Efforts were made to find their

daytime retreats but without success. A cast nymphal skin which appears to

be S. obscura was found on a mature eucalypt in nearby natural forest.

Camponotus nests were abundant in the area though not restricted to near the

bases of the eucalypt trees where the leafhoppers were found.

Shortly after the initial observation in 1997, Mr Lindsay Hunt (pers. comm.)

also reported almost identical behaviour in Smicrocotis sp. at Scott Creek,

Mount Lofty Ranges, near Adelaide, South Australia. On an unusually frosty

night in late April he found numerous scattered leafhoppers, mostly females,

usually attended by four to six C. consobrinus. The leafhoppers were feeding

mostly on low branchlets. In October 1997, several nymphs were observed

feeding in the same locality. In June 1999, large numbers of what appeared to

be first instar nymphs of S. obscura were found under the bark of the trees at

Scott Creek and subsequently also found at Orange. These observations suggest

that the species has one generation a year, with eggs hatching in mid to late

winter.

Taxonomy

Males of Smicrocotis from both Orange and Adelaide were identified by one of

us (MEF) from Evans? (1966) key to species as S. sidnica. The associated

females keyed to S. obscura. Evans (1966).had reported that he had found only

females of S. obscura. The three species which were synonymised with

S. obscura by Evans (1966) are also based on female holotypes. The known

distributions of S. obscura and S. sidnica are almost identical and they have

often been collected together, but only males of the latter and only females of

the former. It appears that S. sidnica and S. obscura are forms of the same

sexually dimorphic species. Sexual dimorphism is also found in Stenocotis

depressa and in other taxa of the tribe.

Figs 1-3. (1) Adult female S. obscura. (2) Adult female (upper) and nymph (lower)

S. obscura with attendant ants at Orange, NSW. (3) Adult female S. obscura tended

by C. consobrinus ants at Orange, NSW.

42 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

The full synonymy of S. obscura is therefore as follows.

Smicrocotis obscura Kirkaldy 1906: 370

Smicrocotis infuscata Distant 1907: 195, synonymised by Evans 1966: 109.

Smicrocotis pallescens Distant 1907: 195, synonymised by Evans 1966: 109.

Smicrocotis projecta Distant 1907: 196, synonymised by Evans 1966: 109.

Smicrocotis sidnica Kirkaldy 1907: 28, syn. nov.

Smicrocotis chelonia Evans 1937: 160, synonymised, with S. sidnica by

Evans 1966: 109.

The validity of S. brunneus (Evans 1947) is doubtful since its known

distribution (Sydney, NSW) and descriptive features fall within the range of

S. obscura. Unfortunately, the holotype male lacks an abdomen so it is not

possible to examine its genitalia (Day and Fletcher 1994).

Study of the male genitalia (by MF) of the holotype of S. solomoni Evans has

revealed no differences from males of S. sidnica from Orange or Adelaide.

However, the spination of the external edge of the hind tibiae differs.

S. obscura has three small basal spines near the base and four large spurs evenly

spaced towards the apex. S. solomoni has six spurs more or less evenly spaced

and gradually increasing in size from base to apex. The significance of these

differences is uncertain. For this reason, synonymy of S. solomoni with

S. obscura is not proposed at this stage. A comprehensive study of the

Stenocotini, including molecular, morphological and possibly acoustic data is

required also to determine the validity of the genera of the Stenocotini and

whether a similar level of synonymy exists within the genus Kyphocotis

Kirkaldy.

The following species of the tribe Stenocotini, are currently recognised:

Anacotis hackeri Evans 1937

Kyphocotis claudenda (Walker 1858)

Kyphocotis nigrescens (Distant 1907)

Kyphocotis parva Distant 1907

Kyphocotis tessellata Kirkaldy 1906

Kyphoctella distorta Evans 1966

Ledracotis gunnensis Evans 1937

Smicrocotis brunneus (Evans 1947), nomen dubium?

Smicrocotis obscura Kirkaldy 1906

Smicrocotis solomoni Evans 1937

Stenocotis depressa (Walker 1851)

Discussion

This paper provides the first record of a member of the Tribe Stenocotini to

be ant attended. However, unlike other species of Cicadellidae in which ant

attendance has been observed, particularly the Pogonoscopini (Eurymelidae)

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 43

(Evans 1966, Day and Pullen 1999) and Mymecophryne formiceticola

(Cicadellidae: Xestocephalinae) (Kirkaldy 1906, K. Chandler, pers. comm.),

this association appears to be in a very early stage of development. The

ants are providentially taking advantage of a food source and, by default,

providing some measure of protection to the leafhoppers. There is no

question, however, that there is a definite association because the

leafhoppers tolerate the attentions of the ants and the ants do not attempt to

attack the leafhoppers in the way they attack other insects on the same trees.

Other species of Stenocotini, including Ledracotis gunnensis and species of

Kyphocotis are normally found sheltering under bark during the day and

may also be night feeding, although no observation of this and therefore

possible ant attendance, has been observed. The exception is Stenocotis

depressa which is often seen actively moving on the exposed trunk during

the day, but may not be feeding at this time.

Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to Mr Lindsay Hunt of Adelaide for providing

information on the behaviour of Smicrocotis in South Australia, to Dr David

Rentz for photography of Smicrocotis in the laboratory (Fig. 1) and to Dr

Steve Shattuck and Mr Archie McArthur for confirming the identifications

of the ants. We are also grateful to Dr Geoff Monteith, for the loan of the

holotype of S. solomoni from the Queensland Museum.

References

DAY, M.F. and FLETCHER, M.J. 1994. An annotated catalogue of the Australian Cicadelloidea

(Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Invertebrate Taxonomy 8: 1117-1288.

DAY, M.F. and PULLEN, K.R. 1999. Leafhoppers in ant nests: Some aspects of the behaviour

of Pogonoscopini (Hemiptera: Eurymelidae). Victorian Naturalist 116: 12-15.

DISTANT, W.L. 1907. Contributions to a knowledge of the Ledrinae. Annales de la Société

entomologique de Belgique 51: 185-197.

EVANS, J.W. 1937. Australian leafhoppers (Jassoidea, Homoptera). Part 7. Stenocotidae.

Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 11: 157-164.

EVANS, J.W. 1947. A natural classification of leafhoppers (Jassoidea, Homoptera). Part 3.

Jassidae. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 98(6): 105-271.

EVANS, J.W. 1966. The leafhoppers and froghoppers of Australia and New Zealand

(Homoptera: Cicadellidae and Cercopidae). Australian Museum Memoirs 12: 1-347.

KIRKALDY, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Pt IX. Leafhoppers,

Hemiptera. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, Division of Entomology 1(9):

271-479.

KIRKALDY, G.W. 1907. Leafhoppers - Supplement (Hemiptera). Bulletin of the Hawaiian

Sugar Planters Association, Division of Entomology 3: 1-186.

WALKER, F. 1851. List of the specimens of Homopterous Insects in the collection of the British

Museum 3: 637-907.

WALKER, F. 1858. Supplement. List of the specimens of Homopterous Insects in the collection

of the British Museum 4: 1-307.

44 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

BOOK REVIEW

Silkworm breeding. By Eikichi Hiratsuka. Translated from Japanese. A.A.

Balkema, Rotterdam and Brookfield; 1999; vii, 500 pp, 84 b & w pls. Price

Stg £60.00, US $99.00. ISBN 905410 7855.

This is a most unusual book on silkworm breeding. It is not, as one might expect

from the title (and even by the Publisher’s Note following the title page) a

treatise on silkworm rearing techniques, but rather an extraordinarily

comprehensive account of the different larval and pupal ‘races’ of silkworms in

Japan. These ‘races’ number an incredible 773; many of the larvae and pupae

are figured, the lineages of all are documented and their morphological

characteristics recorded. Nearly all carry official names, e.g. Hakuryu, Aojuku

and Kuniichi, but some modern ones carry only codes. It should be noted that

silkworm races are not races as defined in modern biology but rather denote

breeding lineages distinguishable by definable characteristics of larvae and

pupae. These characters are mostly colour-based and include a number of rather

striking larval patterns. The book is also remarkable for the fact that never once

does it mention the name Bombyx mori, despite its scientific and exhaustive

approach to the subject.

The original Japanese edition of this book appeared in 1969. Its translation

into English, 30 years later, is testament to its significance amongst works

on sericulture. To my knowledge it is the only book that has ever

documented the lineages and morphological characteristics of silkworm

‘races’ in a comprehensive way, certainly so in English, although there may

well be something concerning Chinese sericulture.

There are five chapters, titled as follows: Silkworm races before Meiji Era,

Silkworm races of Meiji Era, Silkworm races between Taisho Era (1912-

1925) and Showa 11 (1936), Silkworm races for the control of parent egg of

F, hybrids and finally a chapter detailing breeding lineages titled Breeding

Record. The translation is good, and for the most part the text is easily

followed. The illustrations, which are all black and white photographs, are

satisfactory although figures of some larval ‘races’ appear inadequate for

showing distinguishing characters.

While sericulture remains essentially a hobby in Australia, there is,

nevertheless, considerable interest in rearing silkworms among school

children. This book, in association with two other comprehensive texts

recently published by Balkema (Principles of sericulture and moriculture),

provides a wealth of knowledge for anyone seriously interested in

silkworms. Sericulturalists throughout the world must be delighted to have

this translation available to them.

Max Moulds

Australian Museum

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 45-46 45

THE MOSQUITO URANOTAENIA (URANOTAENIA) WYSOCKII

BELKIN (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

FEEDING ON A FROG CERATOBACTRACHUS GUENTHERI

BOULENGER (ANURA: RANIDAE)

Joan H. Bryan' and Harry B. Hines’

'Tropical Health Program and Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of

Queensland, Qld 4072

?Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Conservation Resource Unit, PO Box 42, Kenmore, Qld

4069

Abstract

Feeding of adults of Uranotaenia wysockii Belkin on the frog Ceratobatrachus guentheri

Boulenger is reported for the first time.

Introduction

When first described, adults of Uranotaenia wysockii Belkin, a mosquito

endemic to the Solomon Islands, were known only from specimens reared

from field collected larvae (Belkin 1953). One adult has since been

collected in a Malaise trap (Taylor and Maffi 1978). Marks (1960), when

reporting U. albescens Taylor feeding on the large green tree-frog Litoria

caerulea (White) in Australia, noted that little was known of the habits of

Uranotaenia Lynch Arribdlzaga, in spite of an almost world wide

distribution. Paucity of information still pertains to the fauna of the

Australasian Region (Lee et al. 1989).

Fig. 1. Uranotaenia wysockii feeding on Ceratobatrachus guentheri,

Kolombangara Island, Solomon Islands. Photo by H.B.Hines.

46 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Of the 26 species in the subgenus Uranotaenia, which includes U. wysockii,

information on blood-feeding has been recorded for only four species.

Uranotaenia albescens feeds almost exclusively on amphibians (Lee et al.

1989). U. argyrotarsis Leicester has been observed feeding on the frogs

Rana daemeli (Steindachner) (Heatwole and Shine 1976) and

Limnodynastes convexiuculus (Duméril and Bibron) (Marks 1980) and U.

novaguinensis Peters has also been observed biting Rana daemeli (Marks,

1980). Uranotaenia nivipes (Theobald) has been found with blood from an

ox (one specimen) and from birds (four specimens) (O’ Gower 1960).

Feeding of Uranotaenia wysockii

On 27 and 29 June 1999, approximately 6 km inland from Iriri village on

Kolombangara Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands (8°00'24"S

157°00'54"E, altitude 300-400 m), boldly patterned mosquitoes were

observed attacking the frog Ceratobatrachus guentheri Boulenger. On 29

June 1999 this event was photographed (Fig. 1) and a single specimen of the

highly distinctive U. wysockii was captured whilst feeding on the dorsum of

C. guentheri. The vegetation at this site was primary tropical rainforest

with a small permanently flowing stream nearby.

The mosquito specimen has been deposited in The University of

Queensland Insect Collection, Brisbane.

References

BELKIN, J.N. 1953. Mosquitoes of the genus Uranotaenia in the Solomon Islands (Diptera:

Culicidae). Pacific Science 7: 312-391.

HEATWOLE, H and SHINE, R. 1976. Mosquitoes feeding on ectothermic vertebrates: a review

and new data. Australian Zoologist 19: 69-75.

LEE, D.J., HICK, M.M., GRIFFITHS, M., DEBENHAM, M.L., MARKS, E.N., BRYAN, J.H.

and RUSSELL, R.C. 1989. The Culicidae of the Australasian Region. Volume 11. Australian

Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

MARKS, E.N. 1960. Mosquitoes biting frogs. Australian Journal of Science 23: 89.

MARKS, E.N. 1980. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Pp

59-76 in Contemporary Cape York Peninsula. Ed. N.C. Stevens and A. Bailey. Royal Society of

Queensland, Brisbane.

O’GOWER, A.K. 1960. Townsville culicines as possible vectors of dengue and allied viruses

among local feral fauna. Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science 38:

1-10.

TAYLOR, B and MAFFI, M. 1978. A review of the mosquito fauna of the Solomon Islands

(Diptera: Culicidae). Pacific Insects 19: 165-248.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 47-60 47

A NEW SPECIES OF PSALTODA STÅL, WITH NOTES ON

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY AND SONG STRUCTURE

(HEMIPTERA: CICADIDAE)

J.T.St. Leger MOSS! and M.S. MOULDS?

130 Melaleuca Drive, Capalaba, Qld 4157

2Entomology Department, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2000

Abstract

Psaltoda brachypennis sp. nov. is described from Queensland and New South Wales.

Information on song, habitat, distribution and season is given and its morphology and song

structure are compared with three allied species, P. claripennis Ashton, P. harrisii (Leach) and

P. plaga (Walker).

Introduction

Moulds (1984) recognised 11 speciés in the endemic Australian genus

Psaltoda Stal, provided a key for their identification and documented their

distributions. Moulds (1990) also noted certain morphological characteristics

of the genus such as ‘a distinct silverish pubescent patch laterally on

abdominal tergite 3’ and the ‘upward turning of the male opercula along at

least half the length of their lateral margins’ as well as noting that their

‘songs are complex and have characteristic yodel-like segments, produced by

pulsating upward flexings of the abdomen’.

Young (1972) commented that ‘the physical characteristics of the free songs

of [cicadas.in his study] are remarkably varied and distinct from each other.

The songs are also distinct to the human ear and are readily picked out in the

field. It seems likely, therefore, that a fécording and analysis of the songs

might be useful in taxonomic work on Australian cicadas.’

Morphological comparisons made between P. brachypennis and three other

closely allied species have shown that P. brachypennis primarily differs in

fore wing and head shape, the positions of opercula relative to metasternum

and to some extent in colour and abdominal pubescence. The song of

P. brachypennis differs from its close allies in structure and component

frequencies.

Collections are abbreviated as follows: AE - A. Ewart, Caloundra, Qld; MC -

M. Coombs, Brisbane; TL - T. Lambkin, Brisbane; LWP - L.W. Popple,

Brisbane; JTM - J.T.St.L. Moss, Brisbane; MSM - M.S. Moulds, Sydney;

QM - Queensland Museum, Brisbane; UQIC - University of Queensland,

Brisbane.

Psaltoda brachypennis sp. nov.

(Figs 1, 4, 7-9)

Types. Holotype ©, Gunalda Ra., 25km NW Gympie, Qld, dry vine scrub, 8.ii.1992,

J.T. Moss; Queensland Museum reg. no. T62989 (QM). Paratypes. QUEENSLAND: 1

©, 299, Bulburin State Forest, Central Qld, 29-30. xii. 1993, A. Ewart; 1 o, “The

48 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Figs 1-3. Males: (1) P. brachypennis; (2) P. plaga; (3) P. claripennis.

Approximately 1.6x life size.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 49

Figs 4-6. Females: (4) P. brachypennis; (5) P. plaga; (6) P. claripennis.

Approximately 1.6x life size.

50 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Amphitheatre’, NW of Robinson Gorge NP, 25°12’07’S, 148%59'43”E, open forest,

17.xii.1997, A. Ewart; 1 o ‘The Amphitheatre’, NW of Robinson [Gorge] NP, 25°12’07°S,

148°59’25”E, vine scrub, 19.xii.1997, A.Ewart (all AE); 1 æ, 1 9, Mt. Maroon, nr Boonah,

28.xii.1993, M. Coombs (MC); 1 ©, Mt Coot-tha, via Brisbane, 1.ii.1990, T. Lambkin; 1 9,

The Gap, Brisbane, 26.xii.1973, T. Lambkin (both TL); 1 œ, ‘Grasstree Hill’, 5 km N of

Monto, 14.xii.1999, L. Popple, J. Moss; 1 o, Mt. Marrow via Haigslea, 8.i.2000, L. Popple, J.

Moss (both LWP); 1 9, Mt. Morgan, 15 km SW Rockhampton, eucalypt forest, 1.i.1973, J.T.

Moss; 1 9, Bulburin State Forest 391, ca 650 m, 25 km NE Monto via Many Peaks, complex

notophyll vine forest, 30.xii.1993, J.T. Moss; 2 oo’, Bluff Ra., Biggenden, 65 km W

Maryborough, 21.xii.1970, H. Frauca; 1 9, Mt. Woowoonga, 664 m, 10 km NE Biggenden,

29-30.i.1972, H. Frauca; 1 o, Reservoir Hill, Barnett Rd., Takura, 15 km SW Hervey Bay,

remnant dry vine scrub, 2.i.1991, J.T. Moss; 2 oo’, 1 9, River Heads, 25 km NE

Maryborough, vine forest remnant, 26.xii.1990, J.T. Moss; 4 o'o, 1 9, Gunalda Ra., 25 km

NW Gympie, dry vine scrub, 8.ii.1992, J.T. Moss; 5 oo’, 1 9, Gunalda Ra., 25 km NW

Gympie, dry vine scrub, 1.i.1994, J.T. Moss and A. Ewart; 1 o, Mt. Marrow via Haigslea,

8.i.2000, J. Moss, L. Popple (all JTM); 1 o, Daydream I, [20°15’S, 148°48°E] via

Proserpine, 20.11.1984, R. Eastwood; 1 male, Edungalba nr Duaringa, 22.1.1982, M.S. & B.J.

Moulds; 1 ©, ‘Mourangee’ -Hsd nr Edungalba, softwood scrub, 14.xii.1983, E.E. Adams; 1 9,

same data but 14.xi.1987; 1 ©, 2.5 km E of ‘Mourangee’ Hsd, nr Edungalba, E.E. Adams; 1

Q, same data but 28.xi.1987; 1 o, 4 km N of ‘Mourangee’ Hsd, nr Edungalba, 23°43’S

149°51’E, 30.i.1987, E.E. Adams (all MSM); 1 0, Mt. Cleveland, [19°15’S 147°02’E] 25

km E Townsville, 13.1.1991, A. Graham; 1 o, 16 km N Boonah, 27°54’S 152°41’E

3.xii.1997, C.J. Burwell; 1 o, Hurdle Gully, 460 m, 24°55’S 150°59’E, 14.8 km WSW of

Monto, open forest, M.V. lamp, 19.xii.1997, Burwell, Evans, Ewart; 1 9, ‘Amphitheatre’,

520 m, 25°13’S, 148°59’E, Expedition Ra. N.P., vine scrub, 18.xii.1997, C.J. Burwell, S.

Evans; 1 9, ‘Amphitheatre’ campsite, 560 m, 24°54’S 148°59’E, Expedition Ra. N.P., open

forest, 18.xii.1997, Burwell, Evans, Ewart; 1 9, Black Rock, S of Boonah, vine forest,

41.1990, C.J. Burwell; 1 9, Perry’s Knob, 4 km NE of Rosewood, 200 m, 27°36’S,

152°36’E, vine scrub, 13.1.1999, G. Thompson; 1 9, Fletcher (near Stanthorpe), Qld, (no

date), E. Sutton (all QM); 1 9, Toowoomba, 9.i.1964, J.C. Cardale (UQIC). NEW SOUTH

WALES: 1 9, Glenugie State Forest, south of Grafton, 19.i.1978, J.T. Moss; 1 ©, Mt.

Kaputar, Nandewar Ra., ca 960 m, 30°12’S 150°5’E, 50 km E Narrabri, open forest, on

Eucalyptus albens, 7.1990, J.T. Moss (both JTM).

Description of Male (Fig. 1)

Head. Vertex olive-green with 0.5 mm wide black line between eyes and ocelli

outlined in orange. Postclypeus not prominent, olive-green to yellow-brown with black

midline interrupted anteriorly and with approximately nine transverse ridges, finely

marked black. Lora covered in fine white pubescence. Anteclypeus brown. Rostrum

tan basally, shaft black, almost reaching bases of hind coxae. Antennae black, 0.5-1

mm. Ocelli glassy yellow, within a black fascia. Eyes, in live specimens, brown.

Thorax. Pronotum olive-green, fissures black, median 1 mm wide orange

stripe, black outlined laterally and posteriorly, abutting pronotal collar

posteriorly, fanning out anteriorly as a wedge into the pronotal disc, covering

the middle one third anterior pronotal margin where it is a definite olive-

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 51

green in living specimens (rich reddish-brown in dried specimens). Pronotal

collar uniformly olive-green. Mesonotum olive-green with two pairs of

paramedian black subtriangular fasciae with bases under pronotal collar and

apices directed posteriorly, the inner pair outlined in orange, extending one

third the length of the mesonotum, the outer pair dissected by irregular

greenish brown markings extending close to anterior arms of cruciform

elevation. Cruciform elevation uniformly olive-green, paler in dried

specimens. A median, black dagger-shaped marking, the shaft between the

inner pair of subtriangular fasciae with apex extending anteriorly almost to

pronotal collar, and lateral ‘deflectors’ filling the gap between the anterior

arms of the cruciform elevation. Metanotum orange (fading to tan in dried

specimens) with posterior and lateral black edging. Thorax below greenish-

yellow with copious silvery-white pubescence.

Legs. Coxae and femora shiny yellowish-green. Mid femora with antero-

dorsal blackish stripe. Fore tibiae and tarsi brownish-black. Proximal half of

mid tibiae green, distal portion and tarsi brownish-black. Hind tibiae and

tarsi tan.

Wings. Hyaline except for slight smokiness of the apical area of both fore

and hind wings. No anastomotic (cross-vein) infuscation present. Venation

generally reddish-black except for fore wing costa, which is olive-green from

base to node. Basal cell olive-green, basal membrane greyish white. Hind

wing with narrow brownish-white plaga for length of vein 2A and broader

brownish-white plaga for three quarters length of vein 3A.

Opercula (Fig. 9). Somewhat bulbous, uniformly shining greenish-yellow

(giving a pseudotranslucent appearance), meeting posteriorly but not over-

lapping and separated for the most part by the bulbous central projection of

the metasternum, and laterally curved upwards with the lateral margins

aligned with but largely separated from the lower margins of the tymbal

covers.

Abdomen. Tergites generally a rich, dark, reddish-brown with blackish

anterior margins and covered with scattered silvery-white pubescence. A

large oval p atch of silvery-white pubescence laterally on tergite 3. Sternite I

obscured by opercula. Sternite II black and III-VII translucent orange-

brown. Sternite VIII much paler and opaque. White spiracles are sometimes

obscured by shiny white pubescence.

Genitalia (Figs 7, 8). Pygofer black basally, centrally and marginally, with

pale orange lateral fascia. Uncus pale brown, broad, with expanded,

asymmetrical, rounded, bilateral lobes at apex. Aedeagus smooth, slender,

parallel-sided, gently curved.

Female (Fig. 4). Similar to male. Abdominal segment 9 orange with lateral

black triangular fascia each side extending for half the length, the base of

each fascia hidden under tergite 8. Apical spine black. Sternite II black,

52 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Figs 7-8. P. brachypennis, male genitalia: (7) pygofer, left lateral view; (8)

pygofer, ventral view.

Fig. 9. P. brachypennis, opercula and metasternum of male.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 53

remainder tan. Sternite VII with tiny (0.3 mm) brownish-black dot each side.

Ovipositor brownish-black.

Dimensions. Range and average for 26 males and 13 females. Length of

body: males 27.0-34.0 mm (mean 31.3 mm), females 24.0-30.0 mm (mean

25.6 mm). Length of fore wing: males 34.0-41.0 mm (mean 37.3 mm),

females 33.0-38.0 mm (mean 35.7 mm). Width of fore wing: males 12.0-

14.0 mm (mean 13.2 mm), females 11.5-14.0 mm (mean 12.6 mm). Width

of head: males 12.0-13.0 mm (mean 12.4 mm), females 11.5-12.5 mm (mean

12.0 mm). Width of pronotum: males 11.0-12.0 mm (mean 11.7 mm),

females 11.0-12.0 (mean 11.4 mm).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Greek brachys meaning

short and the Latin penna meaning a wing or feather.

Morphological comparisons with similar species

Forewing. Length/width ratios for males and females of P. brachypennis were

compared with those of the three species considered most similar to it,

P. claripennis Ashton, P. harrisii (Leach) and P. plaga (Walker). Length

measurements were taken from the extreme base of the wing to the apex and

width measurements were taken from the costal node to the junction of vein

CuA1 with the ambient vein. The results show no significant differences

between P. claripennis, P. harrisii and P. plaga, but there is clearly a difference

between these and P. brachypennis, which is statistically significant (Tables 1

and 2). Note coincident mean for both sexes of P. brachypennis and nil overlap

between this and allied species (Fig. 10).

Table 1. Comparative measurements of P. brachypennis and three similar species

(Length/width ratios of forewings).

Species Gender No. of specimens Mean + S.E.

P. brachypennis o 26 2.84 + 0.029

9 13 2.84 + 0.047

P. claripennis o 10 2.97 + 0.038

9 10 3.05 + 0.041

P. harrisii o 10 3.00 + 0.028

9 10 3.05 + 0.040

P. plaga o 11 3.08 + 0.035

9 10 3.02 + 0.029

Male underside. The metasternal midline bulge is very prominent in

P. brachypennis and P. harrisii, but less obvious in P. plaga and

P. claripennis. The opercula in the former two species either just meet in

ventral midline or there is clear separation. In P. plaga and P. claripennis

there is never any separation, they either overlap or at least clearly meet in

midline (Fig. 9).

54 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Table 2. Two-tailed t-test results for measurement comparisons. (Critical p-value is

0.05).

Comparisons of P. Gender Total degrees of p-value

brachypennis with: freedom

P. claripennis o 34 0.02

9 21 0.004

P. harrisii o 34 0.003

9 21 0.005

P. plaga o 35 0.00004

9 21 0.007

4 :

oO 4

$ Ý

P. brachypennis P. claripennis P. harrisii P. plaga

Fig. 10. Mean wing length/width ratios (+ standard error) for both sexes of four

species of Psaltoda.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 55

` gpoO 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000

Fig. 11b

'He 2000 4000 6000

Fig. 11. Psaltoda brachypennis. (a): Oscillogram of free calling song showing (i)

continuous (‘roaring’) phase and (ii) revving phase. Recorded by J.T.St.L. Moss at

Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane on 21. Jan. 1987, with a Marantz

Superscope cassette tape recorder and digitized using Cool Edit 2000 analysis

program (Syntrillium software company). (b): Blackmann-Harris linear frequency

analysis of Fig. 11a recording.

Wings. In P. harrisii and P. claripennis the wings are clear. In P. plaga

they are clear, but with infuscation of the first two apical (anastomotic)

cross veins in the fore wing. P. brachypennis has no infuscation, but has a

slight smokiness of the apical cellular areas of both fore and hind wings. In

addition, the basal cells of P. brachypennis and P. plaga are opaque green,

whereas that of P. claripennis is translucent green and P. harrisii is

translucent yellow (Figs 1-6).

56 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Head. Viewed dorsally, P. harrisii, P. claripennis, and P. plaga have an

acute-angled head due to prominent postclypeus. P. brachypennis is

generally more obtuse or blunt (Figs 1-6)

Male abdomen. The lateral aspect of tergite 3 has a patch of shiny silvery-

white pubescence in P. brachypennis, but is yellow in P. harrisii, pale gold

in P. plaga and silvery-gold in P. claripennis (Figs 1-3).

Female abdomen. The truncate appearance of the abdomen of female

P. brachypennis is very distinctive. The abdomens of female P. plaga and

P. claripennis are more gradually tapered, giving a more ‘pointed’

appearance (Figs 4-6).

FYN)

He 2000 ` 4000 ` eooo sooo ` 10000 12000 14000 ` 16000 18000 | 20000 `

Fig. 12b

Fig. 12. Psaltoda plaga. (a): Oscillogram of free calling song showing (i)

continuous (‘whining’) phase and (ii) revving phase. Recorded by J.T.St.L. Moss

at Girrahween Park, Earlwood, Sydney, ca 1970, on a Sony reel-to-reel tape

recorder and digitized as per Fig. Ila. (b): Blackmann-Harris linear frequency

analysis of Fig. 12a recording.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 57

Body colour. P. brachypennis in life is a dull olive-green which differs from

the much brighter green tones of P. claripennis and green individuals of

P. plaga (Figs 1-6). P. harrisii is predominantly brownish-black on a

yellowish background (see Moulds 1990 for photo).

Genitalia. The male genitalia do not differ significantly from other Psaltoda

species. There are only minor differences in the shape of the expanded apex

of the uncus.

Song structure of P. brachypennis

The calling song of P. brachypennis is similar to at least three other

sympatric Psaltoda species which have both continuous and revving phases.

It starts abruptly with a loud continuous 'roaring' phase similar to that of

P. claripennis and P. plaga but somewhat more melodious. The revving

phase has short (0.5-0.6 sec.) phrases at 1.0 sec. intervals and these are

audibly clearer and less obscured by a softer background continuous

hota ME M nag TEAK

Fig. 13b

Fig. 13. Psaltoda claripennis. (a): Oscillogram of free calling song showing (i)

continuous (‘rattling’) phase and (ii) fast revving (‘clanging’) phase. Recorded by

J.T.St.L. Moss at Rockhampton, Qld, in Dec. 1981, on a Sony reel-to-reel tape

recorder and digitized as per Fig. lla. (b): Blackmann-Harris linear frequency

analysis of Fig. 13a recording.

58 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Fig. 14b

Fig. 14. Psaltoda harrisii. (a): Oscillogram of free calling song showing (i) initial

rising vibrato phase (continuous crescendo) and (ii) abrupt falling phase (fast

decrescendo). Recorded by J.T.St.L. Moss at Narrabeen, Sydney, ca 1970, on a

Sony reel-to-reel tape recorder. Other details as in above Figures. (b): Blackmann-

Harris linear frequency analysis of Fig. 14a recording.

component, which is more a feature of the song of P. plaga. The latter

species also has 0.5-0.6 sec. phrases, however these are repeated at 0.6 sec.

intervals, which produces an audibly ‘faster’ song than P. brachypennis.

However, unlike P. plaga, revving with P. brachypennis does not always

occur with each episode of song. On the other hand P. claripennis has

much shorter individual rev phrases of 0.05 sec. repeated at intervals of 0.2

sec. which produces an even faster song reminiscent of a clanging sound.

The song structure of P. harrisii is notably different, exhibiting a modified

song pattern with an amplitude modulated rising and falling vibrato effect,

which can be described as ‘rattling’ and soft ‘sighing’. It lacks a revving

phase, but has long crescendo and abrupt decrescendo components (Young,

1972).

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 59

Townsville

A :

Proserpine

Duraringa

A? A

Expedition Range 8

A Monto

44 A A o A

e Gympie

A +

Chinchilla ©

A ARS Brisbane

30°S

1478E Narrabri e

Fig. 15. Distribution of P. brachypennis: locations where specimens have been

collected (A); locations of tape recordings and/or aural records which have been

confirmed by at least two observers (A); geographical reference points (@).

These structural differences can be seen on the oscilloscopic tracings (Figs

1la-14a). The song quality is audibly different, and the frequency analyses

show notable harmonic frequency component differences between

P. brachypennis and its allies (Figs 11b-14b). Young and Josephson (1983)

have further analysed both the calling and distress songs of P. plaga (as

P. argentata), P. claripennis and P. harrisii.

60 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Notes on habitat, distribution and season

The diverse vegetation preference of P. brachypennis is most unusual, being

found in the following habitats: coastal and montane complex notophyll vine

forest (both tropical and subtropical), softwood and dry vine scrubs, and eucalypt

dominant dry and wet sclerophyll forests (both montane and coastal). It is

usually a mid to late summer species both in the north and south, and along the

coast and inland, although in inland central Qld it has been recorded as early as

the 14th of November. This is a widespread species, with records along the

Queensland coast south from Townsville to Grafton in north-eastern New South

Wales, and inland south from Duaringa and the Expedition Range of central Qld

to Mt Kaputar near Narrabri on the north-eastern slopes of NSW (Fig. 15). It is

nowhere common and there are few specimens in collections, with barely more

than four dozen known, and these having mostly been hand collected, as the

species appears not to be readily attracted to light.

Its resemblance to some of the other Psaltoda species (in song and morphology)

may have accounted for it being overlooked. Its habit of resting high up on trees

has ensured that voucher specimens for visual and auditory records are often

difficult to obtain. However, in addition to the type series locations, reliable

records do exist from Crystal Ck. in Paluma Range north-west of Townsville,

Isla Gorge National Park near Theodore, Chinchilla, Noosa National Park, Lake

Broadwater via Dalby, Upper Tallebudgera Ck. west of Burleigh Heads and

Sundown National Park near Texas in Queensland and Gibraltar Range west of

Grafton in New South Wales. Song recordings have been obtained from some

of these sites. It is puzzling why a species with a wide distribution and a diverse

habitat preference should be in such low numbers in relation to the relative

abundance of its close allies.

Acknowledgments

We thank Mr L.W. Popple for his considerable assistance with computer

graphics, song analyses and statistical calculations, Mr S. Humphreys for

photographs, Mr G. Daniels for editorial comment, Ms S. Beech for

illustrations, Dr D.P.A. Sands for advice on statistical methodology and Mrs

B.G. Moss and Mrs B.J. Moulds for typing. We also thank Professor A.

Ewart and Dr M. Coombs for comments on the manuscript.

References

MOULDS, M.S. 1984. Psaltoda magnifica sp. n. and notes on the distribution of other Psaltoda

species (Homoptera: Cicadidae). General and Applied Entomology 16: 27-32.

MOULDS, M.S. 1990. Australian Cicadas. New South Wales University Press, Kensington,

NSW; x + 217pp.

YOUNG, D. 1972. Analysis of songs of some Australian cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae).

Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 11: 237-243.

YOUNG, D. and JOSEPHSON, R.K. 1983. Mechanism of sound-production and muscle

contraction kinetics in cicadas. Journal of Comparative Physiology 152: 183-195.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2): 61-63 61

THE LIFE HISTORY OF PHILIRIS PHILOTAS PHILOTAS

(C. FELDER) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

C.J. MULLER

PO Box 228, Dural, NSW 2158

Abstract

The life history of the Indonesian lycaenid butterfly Philiris philotas philotas (C. Felder) is

described and illustrated. The larval food plant is Macaranga sp. nr aleuritoides F. Muell.

(Euphorbiaceae).

Introduction

The genus Philiris Rober contains 64 named species (Sands 1986, Ring and

Olive 1997) although more are likely to be discovered, especially in

mainland New Guinea where most of the known taxa occur (Parsons 1991,

1998). The genus extends from the Moluccas [Maluku] through mainland

New Guinea to the Bismarck Archipelago and into northern Australia

(Parsons 1998).

Biological information for the genus is limited and outside Australia the

early stages and larval food plants have been recorded only for P. moira

moira (Grose-Smith) (Forbes 1977), P. ziska (Grose-Smith), P. intensa

(Butler), P. dinawa (Bethune-Baker), P. agatha (Grose-Smith), P. helena

(Snellen), P. diana Wind & Clench, P. violetta (Rober), P. praeclara Tite

and P. harterti (Grose-Smith) (Parsons 1984, 1991, 1998). Listed food

plants belong to the families Moraceae, Urticaceae, Euphorbiaceae and

Lauraceae (Forbes 1977, Parsons 1984, 1991, 1998).

During June and July 1996, the early stages of P. philotas philotas

(C. Felder) were discovered on the Indonesian islands of Ambon and Seram

in the Moluccas. Sands (1981) examined 16 males and 6 females from

Ambon and the taxon is otherwise known from Seram, Buru, Goram and

Watubela Islands, all in the southern Moluccas. A second subspecies,

P. p. obiana Tite, is known from Obi, central Moluccas.

Life history

Food plant. Macaranga sp. near aleuritoides F. Muell. (Euphorbiaceae).

Egg (Fig. 1). Diameter 0.65 mm; white, spherical, with numerous long (up

to 0.08 mm) spines that are flattened towards the egg periphery.

Larva. First instar: length 1.1 mm, width 0.55 mm; hairy, pale yellow-

green with darker dorsal band. Third instar: length 8.1 mm, width 3.2 mm;

hairy, flattened laterally, green with indistinct yellow dorsal stripes. Final

instar (Fig. 2): length 14.2 mm, width 5.0 mm; similar to third instar but

with arcuate yellow cusps, forming up to six parallel dorsal stripes.

Pupa (Fig. 3). Length 9.4 mm, width 4.1 mm; strongly oval in shape, hairy,

green with darker dorsal band bounded by yellow on abdomen, posterior

lateral margins of thorax dark green.

62 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2)

Figs 1-3. Early stages of Philiris philotas philotas. (1) egg; (2) mature larva,

dorsal view; (3) pupa, dorsal view. Scale bars (1) = 0.4 mm; (2, 3) = 2 mm.

Discussion

The eggs were laid singly on the underside of leaves of the food plant,

usually beside a vein. Young larvae fed on the epidermis on the underside

of mature leaves, producing a distinctive scarring in affected leaves.

Mature larvae produced a series of holes, usually adjacent to the midrib.

Pupation occurred head upwards, attached by cremaster and central girdle

on the underside of a mature leaf of the food plant. The dorsal abdominal

brown patch, present in pupae of several Philiris species, appears to be

poorly developed in P. philotas.

Larvae most commonly were found on the Macaranga food plants growing

in well-lit clearings on steep hillsides and limestone karsts. Macaranga

species have been recorded as food plants for P. agatha and P. helena by

Parsons (1984, 1991, 1998) in Papua New Guinea and for P. sappheira

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (2) 63

Sands by Ring and Olive (1997) and P. nitens (Grose-Smith) by Valentine

(1988) and Muller (1998) in northern Queensland.

Adults of both P. philotas and P. ilias (C. Felder) were collected together in

secondary rainforest and settled 2-8 m above the ground. Males exhibited

territorial behaviour in strong sunlight, returning to perches head

downwards on the tips of leaves. Both sexes were taken at the blossom of

an Acmena species, together with Bindahara phocides (Fabricius) and

species of Deudorix Hewitson.

Acknowledgment

The author thanks Mr Adil Afar Gabi, Ambon, for the food plant

identification.

References

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MULLER, C.J. 1998. New larval food plant records for butterflies (Lepidoptera) in northern

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PARSONS, M.J. 1984. Life histories of four species of Philiris Röber from Papua New Guinea.

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SANDS, D.P.A. 1981. The ecology, biogeography and systematics of the tribe Luciini

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VALENTINE, P.S. 1988. Some new larval food plants for north Queensland Lycaenidae

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ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES

Items for insertion should be sent to the editor who reserves the right to alter, reject of

charge for notices.

FOR SALE. Butterflies from all parts of the world. Papua New Guinea,

Peru, Indonesia., Thailand, China, Africa, Brazil Colombia etc. Papilionidae

inc. Parnassius; Delias; Charaxes; etc. Free catalogue. David Hall, 6 Rule St

Cambridge Park, N.S.W. 2747. Ph. 02 4731 2410.

WANTED. Any information regarding Rhytiphora macleayi (Coleoptera:

Cerambycidae), particularly from private collections. Mark Hura, 111

Oleander Drive, Parafield Gardens, S.A., 5107.

NOTES FOR AUTHORS

Manuscripts submitted for publication should, preferably, be type-written, double

spaced and in triplicate. Refer to recent issues for layout and style.

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THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 27, Part 2, 18 December 2000

CONTENTS

BRYAN, J.H. AND HINES, H.B.

The mosquito Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) wysockii Belkin (Diptera:

Culicidae) feeding on a frog Ceratobactrachus guentheri Boulenger

(Anura: Ranidae).

KOJIMA, J.

Notes on “types” of the Australian species of the Ropalidia interrupta

complex (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae).

MOSS, J.T.ST. L. AND MOULDS, M.S.

A new species of Psaltoda Stal, with notes on comparative

morphology and song structure (Hemiptera: Cicadidae).

MOULDS, M.S. and HUMPHREY, M.

First record of Papilio memnon L. (Lepidoptera: Barone) from

Christmas Island, Indian Ocean.

MULLER, C.J.

The life history of Philiris philotas philotas (C. Felder) (Lepidoptera:

Lycaenidae).

SHCHERBAKOYV, D.E., FLETCHER, M.J. and DAY, M.F.

Ant attendance and nocturnal feeding of the leafhopper Smicrocotis

obscura Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Ledrinae).

BOOK REVIEW:

Silkworm breeding. E. Hiratsuka.

RECENT LITERATURE

An accumulative bibliography of Australian entomology.

ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES Inside back cover

ISSN 1320 6133