THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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Management Research, Department of: Natural Resources; Griffith University Fruit

Fly Group

Cover: The cornelian butterfly, Deudorix diovis Hewitson, 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 (4): 97-100 97

A NEW SPECIES OF TACHYTA KIRBY (COLEOPTERA:

CARABIDAE: BEMBIDIINI) FROM TROPICAL QUEENSLAND

B.P. MOORE

CSIRO, Division of Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601

Abstract

Tachyta rexensis sp. nov. is described from rainforest habitat in northern Queensland and is

compared with the two species previously recorded (from open-forest habitats) in Australia.

Introduction

Tachyta Kirby is a worldwide genus of small, tachyine carabid beetles,

mostly with subcortical habits. In his generic revision, Erwin (1975)

recognised 19 species, of which only one, T. brunnipennis (Macleay, 1871),

was listed from Australia. This evidently widespread species was recorded

from localities in Queensland and the Northern Territory but was not known

from overseas. Subsequently, Baehr (1986) described a second Australian

species, T. ovata Baehr, that was sympatric with T. brunnipennis in the

Northern Territory and the Ord River region of Western Australia.

During the course of a systematic survey of the Coleoptera associated with

rainforest remnants in the Julatten area of northern Queensland, I collected

specimens of a third Australian species of this genus, described below.

Tachyta rexensis sp. nov.

(Figs 1-2)

Types. Holotype ©, QUEENSLAND, Mowbray State Forest (western margin), Rex

Range, East Julatten, 400 m, under bark of fallen rainforest tree-trunk, 26.vi.1993,

B.P. Moore (Australian National Insect Collection [ANIC], Canberra). Paratypes: 3

OO, 6 99, same data as holotype (B.P.Moore Collection, lodged with ANIC,

Canberra). A female paratype will be presented to the Queensland Museum

(Brisbane).

Description. ` Upperside mostly shining piceous; underside brownish;

appendages clear rufous. Length 2.28-2.53 mm; maximum width 1.03-1.16

mm. Head of average width and convexity for genus, across eyes about as

wide as pronotum between anterior angles, impunctate but with fine, slightly

transverse microsculpture; antennae short but distinctly longer than in T.

ovata, median segments clearly longer than wide. Pronotum impunctate,

transverse, width/length about 1.7, base slightly wider than apex; sides lightly

curved from apex almost to base, then slightly sinuate before posterior

angles, the latter sharp; marginal channel narrow; prebasal impression and

median line well marked, lateral carinae weak; surface impunctate,

microsculpture faint. Elytra elongate-oval, convex, length/width about 1.35;

sides slightly sinuate behind shoulders and near apex, widest behind middle;

only the sutural striae complete, 3 others traceable on disc as rows of fine

punctures but successively increasingly faint; discal setae within 4th

intervals, adjacent to 4th striae, intervals impunctate, microsculpture very fine

98 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

fine and inconspicuous. Aedeagus (Fig. 2) similar to that of 7. ovata;

internal sac only slightly sclerotised; parameres 3-setose.

Fig. 1. Tachyta rexensis sp. nov., holotype male; natural length = 2.53 mm.

Comments. Together with the two other species known from Australia, this

new species evidently belongs to the subgenus Tachyta sensu stricto, as

restricted by Erwin (1975) to species with evident microsculpture; it differs

from both T. brunnipennis (Macleay) (2 syntypes [ANIC] and 5 other

specimens examined) and T. ovata Baehr (holotype and 2 paratypes [ANIC]

examined) in its much less obvious sculpture, giving a more shining

integument. The elytra in the new species are less elongate than in 7.

brunnipennis but slightly more so than in T. ovata. However, the antennae in

T. ovata are markedly shorter than in the other two species. These

differences may be expressed in the form of a revised key to the Australian

species of Tachyta.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4) 99

Fig. 2. Tachyta rexensis sp. nov., aedeagus: (a) median lobe in left lateral view, with

parameres detached; (b) apex of right paramere; (c) apex of left paramere.

Scale line = 0.1 mm.

Key to Australian species of Tachyta

1 Rather elongate species, ratio length/width of elytra over 1.4; surface of

pronotum and elytra strongly punctate between microsculpture,

integument rugose and dull <. kaka kaka T. brunnipennis (Macleay)

- Wider, convex species, ratio length/width of elytra 1.35 or less; surface of

pronotum and elytra finely punctate or impunctate between

microsculpture, integument scarcely or NOt rugose .…............................. 2

2 Integument rather shining; antennae longer, the intermediate segments

clearlyšlongerithaniwide ere mere er T T. rexensis Sp. nov.

- Integument rather dull; antennae shorter, the intermediate segments about

ASIW1AC AS LON goaren r arenes impo stress T. ovata Baehr

Discussion

Unlike its two Australian congeners, T. rexensis appears to be confined to

rainforest, but all three species have been collected from beneath the bark of

fallen timber. T. rexensis was discovered during an extensive survey of the

Coleoptera of the Julatten area of tropical Queensland, being conducted by

the present author. Apart from the type series (which was only a small

proportion of the population present on the tree-trunk), other, single

100 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

specimens were taken from neighbouring but isolated patches of such forest.

T. brunnipennis also featured in this survey but only as occasional records

from the southwest of the Julatten area, where rainforest blends with more

open Acacia- or Eucalyptus-dominated woodland. Thus, these two species

are probably parapatric in this region, although 7. brunnipennis shows a

much wider distribution, ranging from southeastern Queensland, across the

northern part of the Northern Territory, to the Ord River region of Western

Australia, where it is sympatric with T. ovata (Baehr 1986).

As pointed out by both Erwin (1975) and Baehr (1986), the presence of

Tachyta in Australia almost certainly represents an intrusion from the

Oriental region, where the genus is richly represented. However, the

existence of at least three species here probably points to more than one

invasion. Of these three species, T. brunnipennis would appear on

morphological grounds to represent a separate line, whereas T. rexensis and

T. ovata may well be sister species that differentiated from a common

ancestor after its arrival in tropical Australia.

References

BAEHR, M. 1986. Review of the Australian species of genus Tachyta Kirby (Coleoptera,

Carabidae, Bembidiinae). Entomofauna Zeitschrift für Entomologie 7(22): 305-314.

ERWIN, T.L. 1975. Studies of the Subtribe Tachyina (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini), Part

III: Systematics, phylogeny, and zoogeography of the genus Tachyta Kirby. Smithsonian

Contributions to Zoology 208: 1-68.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4): 101-102 101

NEW RECORDS OF TEPHRITINAE (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

FROM AUSTRALIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

D.L. HANCOCK' and D.J. McGUIRE’

'PO Box 2464, Cairns, Qld 4870

"Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111

Abstract

New distributional or host plant records are provided for seven species of Tephritinae. Records

of Dioxyna brachybasis Hardy from Niue, Cook Is, French Polynesia and Fiji are considered to

be misidentifications of the variable D. sororcula (Wiedemann).

Introduction

Flower-infesting species of fruit flies, placed in the subfamily Tephritinae,

are gaining importance as potential biological control agents, yet information

on their distribution and host plants is relatively sparse for both Australia and

South Pacific countries. Most available information was summarised by

Hardy (1988), Hancock and Drew (1994) and Hardy and Drew (1996).

Additional information is provided below, mostly from the collection of the

Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen (ZMUC), plus a few records

from the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra (ANIC) and

Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane (QDPI).

Systematics

Tribe Tephrellini

Sphaeniscus atilius (Walker)

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: 1 ©, Northern Territory, Baroalba Creek Springs,

19 km NE by E of Mt Cahill, 28.x.1972, D.H. Colless (ANIC); 1 9 , New South

Wales, The 5 Islands [4], Wollongong, 13.iii.1936, D.F. Waterhouse (ANIC).

Comments. Although previously reported from Australia (Hardy and Drew

1996), the above are the first published locality records for this widespread

species. In Southeast Asia it breeds in the flowers of Hyptis spp. (Labiatae).

Tribe Tephritini

Dioxyna conflicta (Curran)

Material examined. NEW CALEDONIA: 3 0, 6 9, Yahoue, iii.1978, N.L.H. Krauss;

2 &, Noumea, iii.1978, N.L.H. Krauss. VANUATU: 1207, 5 9, Efate, Vila, xii.1978,

N.L.H. Krauss. TONGA: 10 ©”, 16 9, Tongatapu, Nuku'alofa, i & ii.1978, 1.1980,

N.L.H. Krauss; 2 ©’, Tongatapu, Kolovai, 29.1.1979, N.L.H. Krauss; 2 O“, 4 9,

Vava'u, 1.1978, N.L.H. Krauss. WESTERN SAMOA: 2 ©, Upolu I., Mulivai, 1.1978,

N.L.H. Krauss. NIUE: 26 ©, 18 9, Alofi, 1.1978 & xii.1979, N.L.H. Krauss (all

ZMUC).

Comments. Newly recorded from Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Niue.

Dioxyna sororcula (Wiedemann)

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: 3 ©, 2 9, Queensland, Atherton, 30-31.x & 3-

18.xi.1972, A.M. Hemmingsen. WESTERN SAMOA: 3 ©, 1 9, Upolu I., Mulivai,

1.1978, N.L.H. Krauss. NIUE: 1 ©, Alofi, xii.1979, N.L.H. Krauss. COOK

ISLANDS: 16 ©, 19 9, Aitutaki, xii.1977, N.L.H. Krauss; 28 O", 20 9, Rarotonga, xi-

102 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

xii.1977 & 111.1979, N.L.H. Krauss. FRENCH POLYNESIA: 1 ©”, 2.9, Austral

[Tubuai] Is, Rurutu, xii.1977, N.L.H. Krauss (all ZMUC).

Comments. This widespread species is newly recorded from Western Samoa

and Niue. The wing pattern is a little variable, cell r, sometimes having two

instead of three hyaline spots on one or both wings and previous records of

D. brachybasis Hardy from Niue, Cook Is, French Polynesia and Fiji (Hardy

1988, Hancock and Drew 1994) belong to D. sororcula.

Hendrella sexincisa (Malloch)

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: 1 O", Queensland, Atherton, 3-18.xi.1972, A.M.

Hemmingsen (ZMUC).

Comments. Newly recorded from northern Queensland.

Rhabdochaeta crockeri Curran

Material examined. SOLOMON ISLANDS: 42 09, Guadalcanal, Bagi, 16 &

23.1.1995, R. Wylie et al., bred from flowers of Wedelia biflora (QDPI); 1 G", 29, W

Guadalcanal, Lavuro, 19.vii.1995, R. Hollingsworth (QDPI).

Comments. Wedelia biflora (Asteraceae) is the first host record for this

species. It was misspelt ‘cockeri’ by Hardy and Drew (1996).

Spathulina acroleuca (Schiner)

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: 2 ©, 1 9, Queensland, Atherton, 30-31.x & 3-

18.xi.1972, A.M. Hemmingsen. SOLOMON ISLANDS: 2 ?, Vanikoro, St Cruz,

22.viii.1934. VANUATU: 1207, 5 9, Efate, Vila, xii.1978, N.L.H. Krauss. FIJI: 70,

4 9, Viti Levu, Nandi, ii.1978 & iii.1980, N.L.H. Krauss. TONGA: 23 ©, 10 9,

Tongatapu I., Kolovai & Nuku’alofa, i & ii.1978, i.1979, i.1980, N.L.H. Krauss; 11

©, 13 9, Vava'u, 1.1980, N.L.H. Krauss. WESTERN SAMOA: 10 O", 8 9, Upolu I.,

Mulivai, Vailima & Apia, i.1978, N.L.H. Krauss. AMERICAN SAMOA: 10,19,

Pago Pago, 18.iv.1934. NIUE: 6 G", 8 9, Alofi, i.1978 & xii.1979, N.L.H. Krauss.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: 3 ©, 1 9, Tahiti, Punanina, xii.1977, N.L.H. Krauss (all

ZMUC).

Comments. This widespread species is newly recorded from Vanuatu, Niue

and French Polynesia.

Tetreuaresta obscuriventris (Loew)

Material examined. TONGA: 4 ©, 8 9, Tongatapu, Nuku'alofa, ii.1978 & i.1980,

N.L.H. Krauss (ZMUC); 1 ©, 2 9, Tongatapu, Kolovai, 29.1.1979, N.L.H. Krauss

(ZMUC); 1 0’, 1 9, Vava'u, i.1980, N.L.H. Krauss (ZMUC).

Comments. This New World species has been introduced to Fiji and Tonga

for the biological control of Elephantopus mollis (Asteraceae).

References

HANCOCK, D.L. and DREW, R.A.I. 1994. Notes on some Pacific Island Trypetinae and

Tephritinae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Australian Entomologist 21: 21-30.

HARDY, D.E. 1988. The Tephritinae of Indonesia, New Guinea, the Bismarck and Solomon

Islands (Diptera: Tephritidae). Bishop Museum Bulletin in Entomology 1: i-vii, 1-92.

HARDY, D.E. and DREW, R.A.I. 1996. Revision of the Australian Tephritini (Diptera:

Tephritidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 10: 213-405.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4): 103-108 103

THE LIFE HISTORY OF TELICOTA BRACHYDESMA LOWER

(LEPIDOPTERA: HESPERIIDAE)

P.S. VALENTINE ' and S.J. JOHNSON’

‘Tropical Environment Studies & Geography, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811

*Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Qld 4810

Abstract

The immature stages of Telicota brachydesma Lower are described from northern Queensland

(Iron Range National Park, Cape York Peninsula). The larval food plant is confirmed as

Leptaspis banksii (Poaceae), which has a restricted distribution within rainforest. We comment

on the apparent rarity of this species in collections and include characteristics to assist in its

identification.

Introduction

Telicota brachydesma Lower is the smallest and least known of the

Australian species of Telicota Moore. Common and Waterhouse (1981)

considered the species rare and indicated a distribution from the Claudie

River (Iron Range) to Mackay. They noted that the ‘larvae feed on Leptaspis

banksii (Poaceae) growing in rainforest’ but did not give a source for this

observation. There is no published description of immature stages. In our

experience specimens of this species are uncommon in collections and

identification of field collected individuals has been difficult. Despite careful

searching for adults, known to occur in rainforest habitat, we had been unable

to locate any populations. We therefore decided to attempt to find areas of

the presumed larval food plant as a means of locating possible colonies of

this skipper.

We failed to discover a published photograph or illustration of L. banksii and

the James Cook University Herbarium had no specimen. However, Mr Peter

Stanton, former field botanist and research ecologist with the Queensland

Department of Environment and Heritage, provided us with a specimen of

this quite distinctive small grass and indicated that it occurred only in very

well developed rainforest. Jones (1986) describes the plant occurring in

‘shady rainforests where it often grows in rocky situations’. With this

information we deliberately searched the rainforests of Iron Range National

Park and near Cooktown, previously known locations for T. brachydesma.

In this paper we describe the immature stages discovered as a result of the

searches and provide brief descriptive notes to enable identification of the

adults.

Life History

Food plant (Fig. 1). Leptaspis banksii R. Br. (Poaceae).

Egg (Fig. 5). Hemispherical, white; surface covered in very fine reticulated

pattern; 1.0 mm diameter, 0.6 mm high.

104 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

First instar larva. Head black, body pale cream, prothoracic plate black, anal

plate bearing 2 pairs of long pale grey setae laterally; length 1.5-2.0 mm,

diameter 0.5 mm.

Second instar larva. Head black, body greenish translucent and smooth

except for anal plate; faint thin white lateral line joining spiracles; length 10

mm, diameter 1.5 mm.

Third and fourth instar larvae (Figs 2, 3). Head pale brown, crenulated,

frons with central brown stripe, mandibles and ocelli dark brown, body

translucent greenish, smooth except for final segment, anal plate and prolegs

all with short white hairs; green gut provides greenish body colour; fine white

lateral line joining yellow spiracles; anal plate with variable semicircular

black area on perimeter; length 13 mm, diameter 2 mm.

Final instar larva. The final instar becomes pinkish or pale purple with

distinct ventral white patches developing prior to pupation; length 18 mm.

Pupa (Figs 4, 6). Brown, thorax and cremaster darker coloured; uniformly

tapered posteriorly; eyes prominent with small lateral patches of hairs; setae

simple, erect, sparse on thorax and 6 bands per abdominal segment; silver

dusting adjacent to prothoracic spiracles; antennae project ventrally beyond

wing cases to form a short unattached tip; cremaster dorsoventrally flattened

with deep dorsal pit, lateral points posteriorly and armed with 20 hooks;

length 16 mm.

Observations and Discussion

The larval food plant is a distinctive grass (Fig. 1) confined to the more dense

stands of closed rainforest. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of a leaf

blade and first instar larvae make shelters by silking the sides of the blade

ventrally into a tube 8-10 mm long and 1.5 mm diameter. The larvae rest

with head facing towards the stem of the blade and feed in irregular patches

along the leaf blade edge. As the larvae grow the shelters are extended along

the mid-rib and feeding reduces the leaf blade area. Eventually some leaf

blades are completely consumed to the mid-rib. By third instar the shelters

are considerably larger, being 40-50 mm in length and 4-5 mm diameter. At

this stage larvae leave their shelters and feed on adjacent blades.

Final instar larvae leave the plant and construct shelters for pupation in older

dead leaves which droop around the stems of the plant, or occasionally in leaf

litter at the base of the plant. These are silked to form a vertical shelter.

Pupation occurs in a head up position in the shelter which is sealed and

contains white waxy powder within it (Fig. 4). It is presumed that the white

ventrolateral patches noted in final instar larvae and prepupae produce the

water repellent powder which is found within the pupal shelter, a feature

shared by many other hesperiids. Larvae of all instars were taken to

Townsville for rearing where larval and pupal durations between June and

September were 20-25 days and 12-15 days respectively.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4) 105

“ro

Figs 1-5. Telicota brachydesma: (1) larval food plant Leptaspis banksii; (2) fourth

instar larval head; (3) fourth instar larva; (4) pupa within final shelter; (5) egg

Scale bars: (3) = 2 mm, (4) = 5 mm, (5) = 0.5 mm.

106 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

At Iron Range, Rocky River and Cooktown we found substantial stands of L.

banksii in areas of dense, closed canopy rainforest. Signs of larval feeding

were present at all sites and larvae were common at Iron Range in May,

December and August and at Cooktown in May. At Iron Range we located

>50 larvae of all instars in a patch of L. banksii covering an area of around 60

m x 40 m (0.24 ha). Wherever we found the grass we found larvae or signs

of larval feeding. Each clump would usually have only a single larva but

occasionally two or more were found. Many clumps were devoid of larvae.

Despite spending several hours in the areas observing we did not record any

adult T. brachydesma. Visibility in such conditions is restricted and it is

possible that females were ovipositing in the area but were not observed.

Based on the numbers of larvae discovered it is perhaps surprising that T.

brachydesma is so poorly represented in collections. One likely explanation

is that adult males may congregate in the rainforest canopy and, if females are

confined primarily to areas with the larval food plant, they will also be

difficult to see and rarely collected. The distribution of the larval food plant,

according to Queensland Herbarium records (Henderson 1997), coincides

with the Mackay to Claudie River distribution of 7. brachydesma given by

Common and Waterhouse (1981).

Until now, very few specimens of T. brachydesma have been available for

comparative studies and this has led to occasional confusion and conjecture

(Dunn and Dunn 1991). The descriptions published in major texts

(Waterhouse and Lyell 1914, Waterhouse 1932, Common and Waterhouse

1972, 1981) have changed little and are accurate and sufficient to enable

separation of T. brachydesma from other Telicota spp. known to occur in

Australia. However, the illustrations in Common and Waterhouse (1972,

1981) are inaccurate and not consistent with the textual descriptions. We

have examined a larger series from Claudie River and Cooktown and they

agree closely with the published descriptions. Wingspans of both sexes are

listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Wingspans of Telicota brachydesma (mm).

Males Females

n= 20 n=18

Mean 25.0 24.24

Median 24.9 23.9

Smallest 22.4 23.2

Largest 26.9 27.2

Std Deviation 1.26 1.13

Std Error 0.28 0.27

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4) 107

Figs 6-10. Telicota brachydesma: (6) pupa lateral view (scale bar = 5 mm); (7) male

upperside; (8) male underside; (9) female upperside; (10) female underside.

Males of T. brachydesma (Figs 7-8) are distinguished by their small size,

dark ground colour above, narrow dark sex brand, orange markings that do

not extend along the veins towards the margins of the forewings and deep

red-brown colour and indistinct post-median band on the hindwing beneath.

In general facies, males of T. brachydesma are closest to males of T. ohara

(Plėtz) and T. anisodesma Lower but these latter species are much larger,

have paler and broader sex brands and on the forewings the orange suffusion

extends along the veins towards the margins. In size, male T. brachydesma

approach males of T. mesoptis Lower and T. augias (L.). T. mesoptis males

108 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

have yellow bands, a paler sex brand and the hindwing beneath is yellow with

a faint greenish tinge and prominent post-median band. T. augias males have

a broader sex brand, more extensive orange markings above which extend

along the veins to the margins of the forewings and the ground colour

beneath lacks the deep reddish hue.

Females of T. brachydesma (Figs 9-10) can be distinguished by their small

size, dark ground colour above, cell spot reduced in the forewing and

vestigial or absent in the hindwing and the deep red brown suffusion and

indistinct post median band on the hindwing beneath.

Acknowledgments

We particularly thank Peter Stanton for assistance with the food plant identity

and ecology, Mick and Clare Blackman for assistance in the field and the

Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage for permits to work in

areas under their control.

References

JONES, D.L. 1986 Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, NSW; 364 pp.

COMMON, LF.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1972. Butterflies of Australia. st Edition.

Angus and Robertson, Sydney; 498 pp.

COMMON, I.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. 2nd Edition.

Angus and Robertson, Sydney; 682 pp.

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

and taxonomy. Parts 1-4. Privately published by the authors, Melbourne; 660 pp.

HENDERSON, R.J.F. (Ed) 1997. Queensland Plants: Names and Distributions, Queensland

Herbarium, Department of Environment and Heritage, Brisbane; 286 pp.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. 1932. What Butterfly is That? Angus and Robertson, Sydney; 291 pp.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. and LYELL, G. 1914. The Butterflies of Australia, Angus and

Robertson, Sydney; 237 pp + maps, indices and plates.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4): 109-112 109

THE LIFE HISTORY OF NESOLYCAENA MEDICEA BRABY

(LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

S.J. JOHNSON ' and P.S. VALENTINE’

'Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Qld. 4810

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

Abstract

Nesolycaena medicea Braby is recorded breeding on Boronia eriantha Lindl. (Rutaceae) in the

sandstone gorges of The White Mountains in inland northern Queensland. Larval and pupal

durations are short during summer but pupae enter diapause with the onset of cooler, drier

weather. Comments are made on adult variation.

Introduction

Nesolycaena medicea Braby was described from four adults taken in early

spring, flying in deep sandstone gorges in The White Mountains National

Park, near Torrens Creek in northern Queensland (Braby 1996), but the

biology of the species has remained unknown. Further morphological

imformatiom is now available and preliminary studies on the conservation

biology of the species have uncovered details of the life history.

Life history

Food plant. Boronia eriantha Lindl. (Rutaceae).

Egg (Fig. 1). White, hemispherical, 0.65 mm wide, 0.4 mm high; surface

finely pitted and overlaid with a reticulate pattern of crenulate ridges forming

mostly quadrate pits; micropyle smooth.

First instar (Fig. 2). Pale yellow; entire margin slightly scalloped; each

segment bearing a pair of setae dorsolaterally and 2-3 long pale setae on the

lateral margin; mandibles brown; spiracles black; anal plate with faint brown

markings.

Second to fourth instar. Green; dorsal protuberances more pronounced and

margin deeply indented; dense line of setae along ventrolateral margin; head

retracted beneath prothorax; length 4-7 mm.

Final instar (Fig. 3), Green; dorsal heart darker green faintly edged white;

prominent white lateral line; prothoracic plate smooth, grey, densely covered

in reddish brown spots and flecks; spiracles cream; length 8-10 mm.

Pupa (Fig. 4). Cream brown, densely covered in black flecks and blotches

more pronounced on lateral thorax, along dorsum and on intersegmental areas

of abdominal flange; prothorax slightly concave; slight dorsal flange; a pair

of rounded protuberances dorsally and laterally on mesothorax; lateral margin

of abdominal segments flanged and occasionally suffused pink posteriorly;

attached by cremaster and central girdle; length 8-9.5 mm.

Discussion

Eggs were usually laid singly on flower buds or on petals within opened

flowers but occasionally under terminal leaves. First instar larvae did not

feed on flowers but tunnelled into soft growing tips of the plant where they

110 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Figs 1-4. Nesolycaena medicea: (1) egg; (2) first instar larva; (3) final instar larva;

(4) pupa. Scale bars = 0.5mm.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Figs 5-6. Nesolycaena medicea: (5) male upperside; (6) female upperside.

111

112 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

remained almost completely buried for 48 hours before moving to the

underside of a leaf to moult. Second instar larvae fed on the epidermis on the

underside of mature leaves and later instars fed on the margins of leaves.

Larger larvae remained fully exposed on the foliage, typically resting along

the upper surface of a leaf with the head deflexed over the tip (Fig 3). In this

position the larvae blended well and were difficult to see but were easily

dislodged by gentle shaking of the plant. Several early instar larvae were

transferred to Boronia keysii and completed development and emerged as full

sized adults in similar time as other larvae reared onB. eriantha. In the field

pupae were found in curled dead leaves adjacent to the base of the food plant.

The size, shape and colour of the pupa closely matched the decomposed

sandstone in which the host plants grew. Larvae and pupae were not attended

by ants.

Egg, larval and pupal durations in December, February and March were 4-5,

24-26 and 10-12 days respectively. Some larvae pupating in late summer

entered diapause. A pupa collected in the field on 14 March 1999 and taken

to Townsville, emerged 235 days later on 4 November following a week of

rain and high humidity. A similar pupal diapause has been reported by

Common and Waterhouse (1981) for N. urumelia (Tindale) and is recorded

here by us for N. caesia d’Apice & Miller, where a larva that pupated in

Kalumburu on 11 April 1995 and taken to Townsville emerged 253 days later

on 20 December.

Adults were common between December and April, flying in upper and

lower gorges and usually confined to areas where B. eriantha grew but, in

December 1998, several females were observed flying across a dry ridge

separating the gorges of the Flinders River and Torrens Creek watersheds. In

February 2000, following heavy rainfall that commenced in the previous

October and November, adults were abundant and occasional specimens were

observed flying in areas devoid of B. eriantha.

The collection and rearing of a much larger series of fresh material has

enabled a better definition of adult variation. Males (Fig. 5) appear uniform

and consistent with the original description except that the sex brand on the

bases of veins CuA, and CuA, is more prominent than in the specimen

illustrated by Braby (1996). Females are slightly more variable with

occasional specimens (Fig. 6) showing reduced greyish-white suffusion on

the upperside of both wings.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Queensland Herbarium for food plant identification and the

Department of Environment for permits to work in areas under their control.

References

BRABY, M.F. 1996. A new species of Nesolycaena Waterhouse and Turner (Lepidoptera:

Lycaenidae) from northeastern Australia. Australian Journal of Entomology 35: 9-17.

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

Robertson, Sydney; xiv + 682 pp.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4): 113-116 113

FIRST RECORD OF WHITE MONARCHS,

DANAUS PLEXIPPUS (L.) FORM NIVOSUS (LEPIDOPTERA:

NYMPHALIDAE: DANAINAE) FROM VANUATU

M.S. MOULDS and R.B. LACHLAN

Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney, NSW 2000

Abstract

The only previously known established population of white monarch butterflies, Danaus

plexippus (L.) form nivosus Gunder, is that found on the Hawaian island of Oahu. This paper

records a second established population, restricted to the island of Aneityum (= Anatom),

Vanuatu. The discovery of this second population provides the first opportunity for

hybridization experiments which may shed light on the origin of the ‘nivosus’ gene.

Introduction

The ‘white’ form of Danaus plexippus (L.), known as nivosus Gunder, is a

conspicuous morph in which the normal bright orange of the wings is

replaced by white that is slightly tinted pink or grey. For the most part this is

a rare phenotype, although it became increasingly abundant on the Hawaiian

island of Oahu before declining (Stimson and Kasuya 2000). Other isolated

records listed by Vane-Wright (1993) are from Washington D.C., Missouri,

Pennsylvania and the coast of California in continental USA, plus the North

Island of New Zealand, Ambon and Seram in the Moluccas, Indonesia and

Brisbane, Australia. We are aware of one further record recently published

(Minno 1996), which added two records from Florida.

The Vanuatu population

Material examined. VANUATU: 6 GO", 6 99, Umeg, Aneityum, May, June,

1994, Fr A. Sacco.

Around 25 years ago, Fr Albert Sacco first noted the occasional white

monarch at Anelghowhat on the SW coast of Aneityum (= Anatom), the

southern-most island of the island chain that makes up Vanuatu. Some years

later, white monarchs frequently were seen and collected by Fr Sacco at

Umeg (= Umetch) on the SE coast of Aneityum, where they flew together

with the orange form in a field where milkweed, Asclepias sp., was abundant.

Form nivosus is now estimated by Fr Sacco to comprise around 20% of the D.

plexippus population on Aneityum. Samson (1983) recorded D. plexippus

from Aneityum but made no mention of a white form. No intermediate

individuals between the white and orange forms have been noted.

Despite extensive observations of butterflies by Fr Sacco on other islands of

Vanuatu, extending over more than 40 years of residency, form nivosus has

not been sighted on any other island. Nor was form nivosus sighted by one of

us (RBL) while collecting during the summer of 1987/88 on Efate, Ambrym

and Malekula, and during September/October 1989 on Espititu Santo.

114 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

All specimens of nivosus collected or sighted on Aneityum (Figs 1-2) were

pinkish-white, unlike those from Hawaii which are nearly all grey-white.

Only three specimens of the pinkish-white version are known from Hawaii (J.

Stimson, pers. comm.).

Discussion

The Vanuatu population is particularly significant because it is the only

known established population of white monarchs apart from that in Hawaii.

All other records involve chance encounters with single specimens rather

than discernable populations. The size of the Vanuatu population (around

20% of the total D. plexippus population) is greater than that of Hawaii,

which in 1988-89 reached its maximum density of approximately 8%

(Stimson and Kasuya 2000), confirming that the Vanuatu population has been

established for some years. The white monarchs of Hawaii were first noticed

in 1965 (Mitchell 1966), at which time they were estimated at around 1% of

the local population. This would suggest that the Vanuatu population may

have established somewhere between 30-40 years ago and long after the

establishment of monarchs through the Pacific islands in the latter half of the

19th century (Vane-Wright 1993).

One wonders why white monarchs have established colonies only on Oahu

Island (Hawaii) and Aneityum Island (Vanuatu). It may well be a direct

consequence of inbreeding the trait due to isolation. Stimson and Meyers

(1985) have shown that form nivosus is the result of a simple autosomal

recessive allele. If the populations of D. plexippus on Oahu and Aneityum

Islands have few or no immigrant individuals, then inbreeding could easily

increase the percentage of form nivosus individuals, providing that natural

selection does not operate to eliminate homozygotes. Indeed, Stimson and

Meyers (1985) hypothesised that the survival of white monarchs on Oahu is

most likely because they are not at a selective disadvantage to the orange

morph in the presence of bird predators. However, a more recent change in

the behaviour of birds to seeking out larvae may now be a cause for the

percentage decline in the number of white monarchs on Oahu (Stimson and

Kasuya 2000).

The discovery of the Vanuatu population of white monarchs provides an

opportunity for hybridization experimentation between the Hawaiian and

Vanuatu populations, which for the first time may shed light on the origin of

the ‘nivosus’ gene. As Vane-Wright (1993) noted, if double heterozygous

crosses of different origins produce an F1 population of only typical orange

D. plexippus, then independent origins for form nivosus can be rejected.

However, if the F1 population segregates into 3:1 then a single American

origin is plausible, although this would not reject a multiple-origin

possibility.

115

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

1-2. Danaus plexippus, form nivosus. (1) male upperside; (2) male

Figs

underside.

116 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Acknowledgments

RBL thanks Fr Albert Sacco for considerable help and companionship during

several collecting trips to Vanuatu and for providing the specimens

examined. For the accompanying photographs we wish to thank Paul

Overden, Australian Museum. John Stimson and Maiko Kasuya kindly made

available to us a copy of their unpublished manuscript.

References

MINNO, M. 1996. White monarchs found in Florida. News of the Lepidopterists’ Society 38(4):

184, 190.

MITCHELL, W.C. 1966. Danaus plexippus (L.). Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological

Society 19: 129.

SAMSON, C. 1983. Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Vanuatu. Naika (Journal of the

Vanuatu Natural Science Society) 10: 2-6, 1 pl.

STIMSON, J. and KASUYA, M. 2000. Decline in the frequency of the white morph of the

monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus L., Nymphalidae) on Oahu, Hawaii. Journal of

the Lepidopterists’ Society 54: 24-32.

STIMSON, J. and MEYERS, L. 1985. Inheritance and frequency of a color polymorphism in

Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) on Ohahu, Hawaii. Journal of Research on the

Lepidoptera 23: 153-160.

VANE-WRIGHT, R.I. 1993. The Columbus hypothesis: an explanation for the dramatic 19th

Century range expansion of the monarch butterfly. Pp 179-187, in Malcolm, S.B. and Zalucki,

M.P. (eds), Biology and conservation of the monarch butterfly. Natural History Museum of Los

Angeles County, Los Angeles; xii+419 pp.

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4): 117-123 117

A REDESCRIPTION AND REASSIGNMENT OF

LUCIOLA GUERINI BALLANTYNE

(COLEOPTERA: LAMPYRIDAE: LUCIOLINAE)

LESLEY A. BALLANTYNE

School of Agriculture, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678

Abstract

The identity of Luciola guerini Ballantyne is confirmed and it is placed in the new combination

Atyphella guerini (Ballantyne). Males and larvae are described.

Introduction

Ballantyne (1988) resolved confusion over the identities of Luciola australis

(F.) and Luciola guerini Laporte. In Ballantyne (1988) L. pudica Olliff was

synonymised with L. australis F. and specimens redescribed. Luciola guerini

Laporte, a nomen nudum, was validated and an indication of its affinities

given, although no specimens were associated. Recent studies (Ballantyne

1992, Ballantyne and Lambkin 2000) on the Australian and New Guinean

fauna permit characterisation of Luciola guerini Ballantyne in the absence of

a type specimen. Specimens conforming to Guérin-Méneville’s (1838)

description have been found on New Ireland.

Materials and methods

Taxonomic characters are described in Ballantyne and Lambkin (2000).

Abdominal sternites are not directly equivalent to ventrites; however visible

abdominal sternites are called ventrites and are referred to by their actual

number, which is one more than their visible number. Where possible,

characters are given numbers and states to correspond to those used in

Ballantyne and Lambkin (2000); e.g. head moderately exposed (4, 1) =

character 4, state 1. Abbreviations for taxonomic characters are: FS, antennal

flagellar segments; ML, median lobe of aedeagus; MPP, median posterior

projection of V7; LL, lateral lobe of aedeagus; PLP, posterolateral projections

of ventrite 7; V7, ventrite 7. Repositories of collections are: DAPM, Dept. of

Agriculture, Port Moresby; BMNH, The Natural History Museum, London;

UQIC, University of Queensland, Dept. of Zoology and Entomology,

Brisbane. Alcohol preserved specimens from the indexed collection in UQIC

are referred to by tube number for ease of relocation.

Atyphella guerini (Ballantyne), comb. nov.

(Figs 1-6)

Luciola guerini Laporte, 1833: 151; Masters, 1886: 288; McDermott, 1966: 105

(partim); nomen nudum.

Lampyris australis F.; Boisduval, 1835: 125; Motschulsky, 1854: 53 (partim);

misidentification.

Lampyris australis Guérin-Méneville, 1838: 74; nec Fabricius, 1775: 201; 1787: 162;

1792: 102; 1801: 104. Type locality New Ireland.

Luciola australis Guérin-Méneville; Lacordaire, 1857: 337.

118 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Luciola australis (F.); Olivier, 1883: 330; 1885: 362; 1902: 74; 1907: 52; 1909: Ixxxi;

1913: 417; Lea, 1909: 108 (partim); 1921: 197; misidentification.

Luciola (Luciola) australis (F.); McDermott, 1966: 105 (partim).

Luciola guerini Ballantyne, 1988: 164. Type locality Port Praslin, New Ireland; type

not located.

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA (NEW IRELAND): 1 0’, 15.iv.1937, J.

Froggatt (BMNH); 1 ©, Kavieng, 2°34'S 150°48'E, 11.11.1966, G Monteith (Tube

248, UQIC); 1 ©, 6.iii.1966, A Mann (DAPM); 2 oo”, Namatanai, 2.v.1940, G. Gee

(DAPM, BMNH); 24 gg, 2 larvae, Paruai Village, 30 miles south of Kavieng,

12.11.1966, G. Monteith (Tube 237, UQIC; some specimens incomplete); 2 OO",

Konibiu Plantation, west coast, cacao block, resting on cacao tree, 5.vii.1955, J.

Szent-Ivany (DAPM).

Distinguishing features. A fairly large (9-11 mm long) species with orange

pronotum, very dark brown elytra, similar in size, shape and colour to

Luciola salomonis Olivier and Atyphella majuscula (Lea), distinguished as

follows:

Atyphella guerini: abdominal ventrites 2-4 mid-brown; ventrite 5 very dark

brown; all abdominal tergites pale cream; MPP of V7 (Fig. 1) not

considerably prolonged or sub-parallel-sided and with rounded apex; ventral

surface of tergite 8 lacking longitudinal curved ridge in left lateral area (Fig.

2); aedeagus (Figs 3-5) length/width 5.2; lateral margins of ML at level of

ejaculatory orifice not toothed; LL sub-parallel-sided, not very broad (in

lateral view), closely approximate along their dorsal length and divergent in

apical fifth; anterior margin of basal piece not produced dorsally. Larva (Fig.

6) with protergum and abdominal terga 7-9 mostly yellow, remainder

extensively marked with reddish brown in median area.

Luciola salomonis: abdominal ventrites 2-4 yellow; ventrite 5 very dark

brown; all abdominal tergites pale brown; MPP of V7 considerably

prolonged, sub-parallel-sided and with obliquely truncate apex (Fig. 7);

ventral surface of tergite 8 with longitudinal curved ridge in left lateral area

(Fig. 8); aedeagus (Figs 9, 10) length/width 2.1; lateral margins of ML

toothed at level of ejaculatory orifice; LL convex-sided, not very broad (in

lateral view), widely divergent along their dorsal length; anterior margin of

basal piece not produced dorsally. Larva not reliably associated (Ballantyne

1992).

Atyphella majuscula: abdominal ventrites 2-5 very dark brown; abdominal

tergites 2-6 dark brown, tergites 7 and 8 pale yellow; MPP of V7 not

considerably prolonged or sub-parallel-sided, with rounded apex; ventral

surface of tergite 8 lacking asymmetrical ridges; aedeagus (Figs 11-13)

length/width 2.5; lateral margins of ML at level of ejaculatory orifice not

toothed; LL sub-parallel-sided, broad (in lateral view), closely approximate

along their dorsal length except in apical seventh, where only the inner

margins diverge. Larva dorsally pale with scattered brown markings more

intense on terga 1-3 (Ballantyne and Lambkin 2000).

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4) 119

10

Figs 1-13. Atyphella and Luciola spp. (1-6), Atyphella guerini male; (7-10), Luciola

salomonis male; (11 - 13), Atyphella majuscula male. (1, 7): ventral aspect, terminal

abdomen. (2, 8): dorsal aspect, terminal abdomen. (3-5, 9-13): aedeagus (ventral 3,

9, 11; dorsal 4, 10, 12; left lateral 5, 13). (6): dorsal aspect, larva (left side only).

Scale lines = 1 mm. Figures 1-2, 3-5, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-13 share scale lines.

LO = light organ; MPP = median posterior projection, ventrite 7; RI = ridge.

120 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Description of male. 9-10 mm long; 4 mm wide. Pronotum, mesoscutellum,

mesonotal plates bright orange yellow (85, 0), dorsal surface of abdomen pale

orange (88, 1); elytra very dark brown, almost black (86, 0; 87, 0); head,

antennae and palpi dark brown; ventral aspect of thorax pale brown; legs 1, 2

orange with dark brown apical fifth of tibiae, and dark brown tarsi; legs 3

orange, with light brown tibiae, and dark brown tarsi; abdominal ventrites 2-4

orange yellow, ventrite 4 may be light brown in lateral areas; ventrite 5 mid-

brown; ventrites 6, 7 creamy white.

Pronotum 3.2-4.2 mm wide; 1.7-2.2 mm long; width/length 1.8-2.0; dorsal

surface smoothly convex, lateral areas flattened; punctures on disc small,

shallow, contiguous or separated by up to width of puncture; midanterior

margin of pronotum scarcely produced and broadly rounded; anterolateral

corners rounded obtusely; lateral margins diverging along anterior half or

more (2, 0), not indented near posterolateral corners (5, 0) and flattened more

widely in posterior half (8, 3); posterolateral corners rounded, not projecting

strongly beyond posterior margin (6, 0).

Elytra with punctation not conspicuously larger than that of pronotum (10, 0);

lateral margins slightly convex-sided (17, 1); with 4 interstitial lines of which

lines 1, 2 are as well elevated as sutural ridge, lines 3 and 4 not as well

elevated (14, 0); epipleuron not widely expanded in basal half; epipleuron

and suture extend to apex of elytron (15, 0; 16, 0), but are not thicker in

apical half (13, 0); apex not deflexed (11, 0).

Head moderately exposed in front of pronotum at rest (4, 1); vertex

moderately excavated (18, 1); greatest head width 2.0-2.2 mm; smallest

interocular width 0.3 mm; eyes moderately separated above labrum (29, 1);

antennal socket distance < antennal socket width (antennal sockets very close

but not contiguous) (22, 1); mouthparts functional (28, 0); apical segment of

labial palpi flattened and dentate on inner margin (39, 1); labrum about as

wide as long (26, 1); clypeolabral suture flexible (27, 0); frons 2-3 times

antennal socket width, frons vertex junction rounded (23, 0), not elevated in

median line (24, 0); eyes moderately separated ventrally (19, 1);

posterolateral eye excavation absent (20, 0). Antennae 11-segmented (34, 0),

longer than, but less than twice, greatest head width (21, 1); scape and pedicel

not produced laterally; flagellar segment 1 longer than pedicel (30, 0); all FS

elongate, slender, 2-3 times as long as wide, 7-9 not conspicuously shorter

than rest (33, 0); no FS flattened (37, 0), expanded or produced laterally (31,

0; 32, 0; 36, 0); apical segment rounded (35, 0).

Legs lacking metafemoral comb (41, 0); femora and tibiae not curved or

swollen along their length or at their apices (42, 0; 43, 0; 44, 0; 45, 0).

Abdomen basal abdominal sternites lacking recurved posterior margins;

median longitudinal carina, dimple and trough absent from median ventral

surface of V7 (53, 0; 54, 0; 62, 0); posterior margin of V7 (Fig. 1) lacking

Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4) 121

incurving hairy lobes or pointed projections (60, 0; 61, 0); light organ in V7

entire (47, 0), reaching sides but not posterior margin of MPP (diffuse fat

body extends into MPP) (48, 1) and occupying more than half the area of V7

(49, 0); posterior half of V7 not arched or swollen (56, 0); MPP symmetrical,

about as long as broad (51, 1) and narrower than half the width of V7,

apically rounded (50, 2), lateral margins converging posteriorly and not

engulfed by the apex of tergite 8 (52, 0); MPP lacking median longitudinal

trough on ventral surface (55, 0); PLP not developed (57, 0; 58, 0; 59, 0);

tergite 8 (Fig. 2) about as wide as long (68, 0), posterior half not abruptly

narrowed (69, 0); ventral face of tergite 8 lacking a median longitudinal

trough, depressed lateral troughs (64, 0) or any longitudinal developments

margining a median area (65, 0); flanges (63, 0), asymmetrical projections

and transverse ridges or hooks absent (66, 0); bifurcate anterior margin of

tergite 8 about as wide as long (67, 0) and prolongations broad and apically

rounded.

Aedeagal sheath sternite asymmetrical in posterior half (70, 1); not extremely

long and narrow (71, 0); lacking paraprocts (72, 0); tergite 9 about as long as

wide (73, 0).

Aedeagus (Figs 3-5) symmetrical (81, 0); elongate, slender, about 5 times as

long as wide; maximum width across LL at their bases/maximum width of

ML at same point about 2/1 (74, 1); ML slightly longer than LL (77, 1), not

inclined ventrally (75, 0) and preapical area not produced (76, 0); LL

separated for longer than half their dorsal length (78, 0), lacking fleshy lobes

(82, 0), about as wide at their apices as widest point of ML (79, 1), not

separated into broad basal and narrowed apical section (80, 0) and extending

to either side of ML at their apices (apices are visible from beneath) (83, 0);

basal piece not hooded.

Larva (Fig. 6). Lateral margins of terga 1-11 explanate (97, 2), densely

covered with very short stout spines and thickened (seen best from beneath)

(99, 1); median line (from anterior margin of tergum | to posterior margin of

tergum 11 not elevated or laterally ridged or margined (102, 0); punctures in

anterior half of terga 2-11 not conspicuous, slightly larger than punctures

over rest of each tergum (103, 1). Protergum 2.2-2.4 mm long, 3.0-3.3 mm

wide (98, 2); median anterior margin barely indented; not narrowed in

anterior sixth and lacking anterolateral tubercles (100, 0); posterolateral

corners of protergum (101, 0) and terga 2-11 rounded, not produced.

Posterolateral corners of terminal tergum not produced (104, 0). Head wider

than long, anterior margin widely medianly emarginate. Protergum mainly

yellow with narrowly pale brown margins; terga 2-8 with wide dark reddish-

brown median marking, extreme lateral margins pale brown, remainder pale

yellow (the body outline is visible through the paler tergal margins); terga 9-

11 mainly yellow, 9 and 10 with a narrow median dark marking along the

median line; tergum 12 mainly dark with lateral margins narrowly yellow.

122 Australian Entomologist, 2000, 27 (4)

Ventral surface of thorax mainly yellow with irregular dark markings; ventral

abdomen yellow except for very dark brown epipleural plates of sterna 4-8

(spiracles in these plates are pale) and light brown sterna.

Discussion

Arrangement of taxa in the Luciolinae follows Ballantyne and Lambkin

(2000), who ran a cladistic analysis (using 104 characters and 44 lucioline

taxa) that defined the distinctiveness of the genus Atyphella Olliff. A. guerini

differs from a similarly coloured Australian species, A. majuscula, in only

one male character and in certain larval features including coloration (other

features of difference such as male ventral coloration and shape of the

aedeagal basal piece were not used in Ballantyne and Lambkin’s analysis).

This character is 65: developments of the ventral face of tergite 8 [A.

majuscula has state 2; A. guerini shares state 0 with 20 of the 23 species

assigned to Atyphella]. A. guerini shares laterally explanate tergal margins

with all known Atyphella larvae.

Acknowledgments

Part of this work comprised studies for a PhD completed under the guidance

of Assoc. Prof. Elizabeth Exley at the Department of Entomology, University

of Queensland. The remainder was conducted at Charles Sturt University and

both institutions provided much needed support.

References

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Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Queensland.

BALLANTYNE, L.A. and LAMBKIN, C. 2000. Lampyridae of Australia (Coleoptera:

Lampyridae: Luciolinae: Luciolini). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46: 15-93.

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species, adiectis synonymis, locis, descriptionibus, observationibus. Flensburgi et Lipsiae [=

Flensburg and Leipsig]; 832 pp. [Lampyris spp., pp 200-202].

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Hafniae [=Copenhagen]; 330 pp. [Lampyris spp., pp 98-103].

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synonymis, locis observationibus, descriptionibus. Tome 2. Kiliae; 687 pp. [Lampyris spp., pp

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LEA, A.M. 1909. Revision of the Australian and Tasmanian Malacodermidae. Transactions of

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FINLAY, K.J.

2000 Description and distribution of a new species of Nousia Navás (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae:

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FLETCHER, M.J.

2000 A new genus, Mayawa, for the reception of Limotettix capitatus Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae:

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GULLAN, P.J.

2000 Identification of the immature stages of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) found on citrus in

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McBRIDE, J.A., BACH, C.E. and WALKER, G.K.

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1999 Establishment of a subfamily Aphyssurinae for the Australian genus Aphyssura Hardy (Diptera:

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THE

AUSTRALIAN

ENTOMOLOGIST

VOLUME 27

2000

Published by:

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND

THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

The Australian Entomologist is a non-profit journal published in four parts

annually by the Entomological Society of Queensland. The journal is devoted to

entomology of the Australian region, including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

and islands of the south-western Pacific. Articles are accepted from amateur and

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subscription is not included with membership of the Society.

The Editorial Panel

Editor: Dr D.L. Hancock

Assistant Editors: Dr C.J. Burwell

Queensland Museum

Mr G. Daniels

University of Queensland

Dr G.B. Monteith

Queensland Museum

Business Manager: Mr Patrice Bouchard

University of Queensland

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Entomologist, P.O. Box 537, Indooroopilly, Qld, Australia, 4068.

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ISSN 1320-6133

Printed for The Entomological Society of Queensland

by Swift Graphics, Brisbane and ColourWise Reproductions, Brisbane

Copyright Reserved, 2000

THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

Contents

Volume 27, 2000

BALLANTYNE, L.A.

A redescription and reassignment of Luciola guerini Ballantyne

(Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae).

BRYAN, J.H. and HINES, H.B.

The mosquito Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) wysockii Belkin (Diptera:

Culicidae) feeding on a frog Ceratobactrachus guentheri Boulenger

(Anura: Ranidae).

DREW, R.A.I. and HANCOCK, D.L.

Synonymy, geographic distributions, lectotype designations and type

depositories of some Australian and South Pacific Dacinae (Diptera:

Tephritidae).

HANCOCK, D.L. and McGUIRE, D.J.

New records of Tephritinae (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Australia and

the South Pacific.

JAMES, D.G.

Feeding on larvae of Danaus plexippus (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

causes mortality in the assasin bug Pristhesancus plagipennis Walker

(Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

JAMES, D.G.

Taylorimyia iota (Johnston & Tiegs) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a parasitoid

of Biprorulus bibax Breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

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

The life history of Nesolycaena medicea Braby (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

KOJIMA, J-i.

Notes on ‘types’ of the Australian species of the Ropalidia interrupta

complex (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae).

LACHLAN, R.B.

Corrections to an annotated list of the hawk moths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

of Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

LACHLAN, R.B.

New species, subspecies and records of Delias Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

from the upper Ok Tedi and Tari regions, Papua New Guinea.

MATTHEWS, R.W.

Nesting biology of the Australian stem-nesting wasp Rhopalum bendorense

Leclerq (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).

iii

117

45

27

101

109

33

31

71

MOORE, B.P.

A new species of Tachyta Kirby (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini) from

tropical Queensland. 97

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). 47

MOULDS, M.S. and HUMPHREY, M.

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

Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. 37

MOULDS, M.S. and LACHLAN, R.B.

First record of white monarchs, Danaus plexippus (L.) form nivosus

(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae) from Vanuatu. 113

MULLER, C.J.

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

Lycaenidae). 61

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

Ant attendance and nocturnal feeding of the leafhopper Smicrocotis obscura

Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Ledrinae). 39

TENNENT, W.J.

Notes on Deudorix Hewitson in the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck

Archipelago and New Guinea, with descriptions of nine new taxa

9

(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

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

The life history of Telicota brachydesma Lower (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). 103

RECENT LITERATURE 32, 64, 124

BOOK REVIEWS 44

Publication dates: Part 1 (pp 1-32) 24 June 2000

Part 2 (pp 33-64) 18 December 2000

Part 3 (pp 65-96) 21 December 2000

Part 4 (pp 97-124) 28 March 2001

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

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

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any paper considered unsuitable.

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occupying less than one printed page may be accepted without charge if no reprints

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Address manuscripts to: The Editor

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Printed by ColourWise Reproductions, 300 Ann Street, Brisbane, 4000.

THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 27, Part 4, 28 March 2001

CONTENTS

BALLANTYNE, L.A.

A redescription and reassignment of Luciola guerini Ballantyne

(Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae).

HANCOCK, D.L. and McGUIRE, DJ.

New records of Tephritinae (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Australia

and the South Pacific.

JOHSON, S.J. and VALENTINE, P.S.

The life history of Nesolycaena medicea Braby (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

MOORE, B.P.

A new species of Tachyta Kirby (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini)

from tropical Queensland. 97

MOULDS, M.S. and LACHLAN, R.B.

First record of white monarchs, Danaus plexippus (L.) form nivosus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae:

Danainae) from Vanuatu. 61

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

The life history of Telicota brachydesma Lower (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). 39

RECENT LITERATURE

An accumulative bibliograpghy of Australian entomology.

ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES

Inside back cover.

ISSN 1320 6133