THE AUSTRALIAN
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Volume 29, Part 3, 20 September 2002
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Cover: The carabid beetle genus Nurus has about 10 large, heavy-bodied species
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WO. | aq 484 e e uu 058) MS |
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3): 81-95 81
THE INSECT FAUNA INHABITING UROMYCLADIUM
(UREDINALES) RUST GALLS ON SILVER WATTLE
(ACACIA DEALBATA) IN TASMANIA
R. BASHFORD
Forestry Tasmania, GPO Box 207, Hobart, Tas 7001
Email: dick.bashford © forestrytas.com.au
Abstract
This study identifies the insect species utilising Uromycladium galls growing on Acacia dealbata in
Tasmania and examines the relative abundance and seasonality of species using the galls as a food
resource. Regular collections of galls were made over a 14 month period and the insects reared from
them. The distribution of the 32 insect species reared from U. tepperianum galls from 13 sites in
Tasmania is presented. U. tepperianum and U. notabile are recorded on Acacia riceana for the first
time. The rare tineid, Erechthias ancistrosema Turner, was reared from galls at one site. Some
observations on the biology and habitat of the moth are noted.
Introduction
Acacia dealbata (Link), a widely distributed wattle species in Tasmania, is
often attacked by the uredineine rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum
(Sacc.) McAlpine. The biology of the fungus was described by Morris
(1987). The commercial growth of A. dealbata, a valued tree species for
veneer and pulpwood production in Tasmania and potentially a fast-growing
general timber tree in many parts of the world, is impeded by two biotic
factors. Defoliation by the fire-blight beetle Acacicola orphana (Erichson)
(Chrysomelidae) (Elliott 1978) and branch decline caused by fungi of the
genus Uromycladium restrict planting of this species.
This study had the aim of documenting the insects utilising Uromycladium
galls as a contribution to the knowledge base for the production of this
timber tree. Very young stressed trees or older declining trees are most
susceptible with the number of galls per tree often increasing annually over
many years, causing branch death and final demise of trees (Morris 1997).
Over 100 species of Acacia have been recorded supporting this pathogen
(Gathe 1971). The galls are utilized by many insect species, as both a food
resource for immature and adult insects as well as a refuge for some transient
species. A total of 32 insect species was reared from U. tepperianum galls
collected at 13 sites in Tasmania. Collections were also made of U. notabile
(Ludw.) McAlpine and new host records of this species and U. tepperianum
on the Tasmanian endemic Acacia riceana Henslow are documented.
Materials and methods
Galls were collected from three sites on at least three occasions and from ten
other sites on an opportunistic basis, throughout the range of A. dealbata in
Tasmania (Fig. 1). At the three main sites collections were made over a 14
month period. These were Blackmans Bay (6 collections), Triabunna (5
collections) and Burnie (3 collections). Collected galls were transported to
the laboratory in a car fridge at 8?C in individual, perforated plastic bags.
82 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Fig. 1. Localities sampled for Uromycladium galls on Acacia dealbata in Tasmania. 1
= Triabunna; 2 = Burnie; 3 = Blackmans Bay; 4 = Wurra Wurra; 5 = Arve; 6 = Swamp
Road; 7 = Lorinna; 8 = Westfield; 9 = Fingal Flats; 10 = Camden; 11 = Batman Bridge;
12 = Smiths Plains; 13 = Lisle.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 83
Each gall was measured using vernier scale calipers for largest and smallest
diameter of each gall and gall volume was calculated. Each gall was placed
in an age category of young (<3-4 months) or old (>4 months), based on
coloration, development and emergence exits. Young galls were all light
brown in color, firm in texture, and had no emergence exits. Old galls were
dark brown, hard in texture with some emergence exits (Fig. 2b). Division
into age classes was done to determine when they were utilised by the
immature stages of the Lepidoptera species.
In the laboratory individual galls were placed into clear plastic containers
with perforated lids to prevent condensation. All galls were held at 18*C with
light regime of 12h light/12 h dark, for four months. Emerging insects were
removed weekly and stored either in 70% ethanol or frozen before being
mounted. Retention of the galls at a constant temperature may have
influenced the time of emergence of some individuals. However, collecting
at different times of the year enabled emergence patterns to be assigned.
Results
Table 1 lists the Orders and species of insects inhabiting U. tepperianum
galls on A. dealbata collected from thirteen sites in Tasmania. The following
genera and species are not listed in Semmens et al. (1992). Lepidoptera:
Holocola triangulana Meyrick (Tortricidae), Polysoma eumetalla (Meyrick)
(Gracillariidae); Coleoptera: Cryptarcha australis Reitter, Cryptarcha
laevigata Reitter, Soronia superba Reitter (all Nitidulidae), Phalacrus
uniformis (Blackburn) (Phalacridae), Araecerus palmaris (Pascoe)
(Anthribidae); Hymenoptera: Bassas sp. (Braconidae), Glabridorsum
stokesii (Cameron) (Ichneumonidae). Lepidoptera nomenclature follows
Nielsen et al. (1996).
Lepidoptera
Lawrence and Milner (1984) noted that galls caused by fungal infections are
composed of relatively normal plant tissue and the lepidopterous larvae
feeding on that tissue should therefore be regarded as phytophagous or
saprophagous rather than true fungus feeders. New (1982) reared seven
species of moths from Uromycladium tepperianum on Å. decurrens growing
in Melbourne .All of these species were reared in this study from Tasmanian
galls except Stathmopoda callichrysa Lower (Oecophoridae), which is not
recorded from Tasmania, and the unidentified Pyralidae.
The larvae of both Gauna aegusalis (Walker) (Pyralidae) and Holocola
triangulana have been recorded burrowing in Uromycladium galls growing
on wattles in SE Australia (Common 1990). Rawlins (1984) stated that the
larvae of several species of Stathmopoda Herrich-Schåffer feed in rust galls
on Acacia spp. and Common (1990) recorded both species found in this study
(S. cephalaea Meyrick and S. chalcotypa Meyrick) from rust galls in
southern Australia.
84 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Table 1. Insect species emerging from Uromycladium galls at all sites sampled in
Tasmania, with an indication of site/species similarity. Sites: 1 = Blackmans Bay; 2 =
Triabunna; 3 = Burnie.
Emergent species Main site 1 Main site 2 Main site 3
LEPIDOPTERA
Erechthias ancistrosema Turner
Erechthias mystacinella (Walker) x x
Opogona comptella (Walker)
Polysoma eumetalla (Meyrick) x x x
Stathmopoda cephalaea Meyrick x x x
Stathmopoda chalcotypa Meyrick
Macrobathra Meyrick sp.
Holocola triangulana Meyrick x x x
Gauna aegusalis (Walker) x x x
COLEOPTERA
Cryptarcha australis Reitter x x
Cryptarcha laevigata Reitter x x
Soronia superba Reitter x x x
Carpophilus aterrimus Macleay x
Carpophilus hemipterus (L.) x
Egolia variegata Erichson
Titaena tasmanica Champion x x
Blackburniella hilaris (Westwood) x
Araecerus palmaris (Pascoe) x x
Phalacrus uniformis (Blackburn)
Melanterius costipennis Lea x
Curculionidae 7 spp.
Coccinellidae sp. A
Coccinellidae sp. B
Coccinellidae sp. C
DIPTERA
Helina R.-D. sp.
HYMENOPTERA
Bracon sp.
x
Łoj
*
X X X X
på
Dolichogenidea sp.
Bassas sp.
Gladridorsum stokesii (Cameron)
Campoplex sp.
Isdromas sp. I
X X M % %
Isdromas sp. 2
Similarity coefficient (%) 100 65 72
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 85
Table 1 (continued). Sites: 4 = Wurra Wurra; 5 = Arve; 6 = Swamp Road; 7 =
Lorinna; 8 = Westfield; 9 = Fingal Flats; 10 = Camden; 11 = Batman Bridge; 12 =
Smiths Plains; 13 = Lisle.
Emergent species 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "11 12 13
LEPIDOPTERA
Erechthias ancistrosema
Erechthias mystacinella x x x x
Opogona comptella
Polysoma eumetalla
Stathmopoda cephalaea x x x x x x x
*
Łoj
>
X X X AA
Stathmopoda chalcotypa
Macrobathra sp.
Holocola triangulana x x x x x x x
Gauna aegusalis x
COLEOPTERA
Cryptarcha australis x x x
Cryptarcha laevigata x x x
Soronia superba x x
Carpophilus aterrimus x
Carpophilus hemipterus x
Egolia variegata
Titaena tasmanica
Blackburniella hilari x
Araecerus palmaris
Phalacrus uniformis
Melanterius costipennis x
Curculionidae 7 spp.
Coccinellidae sp. A
Coccinellidae sp. B
Coccinellidae sp. C
DIPTERA
Helina sp. x
HYMENOPTERA
Bracon sp. x x x
Dolichogenidea sp. x x x x
Bassas sp. x x x x
Gladridorsum stokesii
Campoplex sp.
Isdromas sp. I
Isdromas sp. 2
Similarity coefficient (%) Ww — RN) 0 gm 28 my SEM ŚW dE) 53
86 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Fig. 2. Uromycladium tepperianum galls on Acacia dealbata in Tasmania. (a) decline
of mature A. dealbata tree due to heavy infestation of galls; (b) succession of galls,
young (light brown) to old (dark brown); (c) old gall with pupal emergence of
Erechthias mystacinella; (d) typical stem-galling form of U. tepperianum; (e) stroma
of the fungus Paecilomyes sp. emerging from lepidopterous hosts within the gall.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 87
The metallic gracillariid moth Polysoma eumetalla (Meyrick) was common
at most sites, the larvae emerging from the galls to pupate under white
protective cocoons in the crevices between lobes of the galls. Opogona
comptella (Walker) (Tineidae) and an undetermined species of Macrobathra
Meyrick (Cosmopterygidae) were collected at a single site each.
Of interest is Erechthias ancistrosema Turner (Tineidae), previously known
only from the holotype from Burnie and with its biology unknown. Twelve
specimens were reared from galls collected at Burnie, emerging between
November and February. The moth only emerged from old galls from which
other species had emerged previously. One categorization of a species being
rare is if it fills the criteria of occurring in low numbers compared to
emergence of other members of the habitat guild and in a limited distribution
within that habitat. In this case 12 specimens of E. ancistrosema were reared
among a total of 241 moths at the Burnie site (comprising <5% of the moth
population) and collected at only one site out of thirteen. All other moth
species within the guild emerged from galls collected from at least three
sites. Clearly E. ancistrosema is spatially concordant in the sense of Gaston
(1994) and merits conservation measures for preservation of the species.
Loss of habitat due to tree removal places this species under threat.
In some older galls collected at several sites and containing lepidopterous
larvae, white stroma of the pathogenic necrotrophic hyphomycetes fungus
Paecilomyes sp. developed, protruding from the galls to a height of three
centimeters. Several galls containing the fungus were dissected and the hosts
identified as lepidopterous larvae. This entomophagus fungus has been
recorded attacking dipterous larvae (Stratiomyidae) in Australia. However in
this study the fungus was not recorded from the Lisle site galls from which
dipterous (Muscidae) emergence occurred (Fig. 2e).
Emergence of the three most common moths, Erechthias mystacinella
(Walker) (Tineidae), H. triangulana and S. cephalaea, occurred in all
months of the year, peaking in spring and summer, indicating these species
may have several generations a year utilising the gall resource. The other
species were summer/autumn emergents, indicating a univoltine life cycle.
The rare E. ancistrosema emerged from October to February (Table 2).
AII moths co-occurred with other moth species. At the three main collection
sites, moths did not occupy 22.2% of galls collected while 42.4-53.9% of
galls yielded one species of moth. A maximum of four moths per gall was
recorded from one gall only. Table 3 lists the number of moth species per
gall emerging from galls collected at these sites, where E. mystacinella was
the most common moth to emerge followed by S. cephalaea. The degree of
dominance for these two species is shown in Table 4.
The three main collection sites showed marked differences in the numbers of
moths emerging throughout the year (Table 5). The Blackmans Bay site had a
88 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
monthly emergence mean of 11.05 moths (1.81 species per gall), compared to
Triabunna 5.68 (1.18 species per gall) and Burnie 2.4 (0.8 species per gall).
There were no winter collections made at the Burnie site. All sites had the
same complex of common moth species.
'Table 2. Number of individuals of each moth species reared from U. tepperianum galls
each month in Tasmania.
Moth species Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
Erechthias ancistrosema 2
Erechthias mystacinella 24 58 120 59 251 146
Opogona comptella
Polysoma eumetalla 5 20 18
Stathmopoda cephalaea 85 174 173 23 101 16
Stathmopoda chalcotypa
Macrobathra sp.
Holocola triangulana 35 49 87 3 40 37
Gauna aegusalis 3 2 4
TOTAL 149 283 403 87 414 199
Moth species July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total
Erechthias ancistrosema 1 8 1 12
Erechthias mystacinella 441 363 233 238 364 190 2487
Opogona comptella 1 4 5
Polysoma eumetalla 1 44
Stathmopoda cephalaea 29 31 18 168 325 142 1285
Stathmopoda chalcotypa 2 1 3
Macrobathra sp. 3 3
Holocola triangulana 31 36 37 97 52 14 518
Gauna aegusalis 9
TOTAL 501 431 288 504 758 349 4366
Table 3. Number of moth species co-inhabiting Uromycladium galls at three sites in
Tasmania.
Site 0 spp. 1 sp. 2 spp. 3 spp. 4 spp. 5 spp.
Triabunna 35 72 37 11 0 0
Burnie 40 62 12 1 0 0
Blackmans Bay 23 66 100 56 1 0
% of total 22.2 42.4 24.8 10.3 0.3 0
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 89
Table 4. Degree of dominance of the two most abundant moth species reared from U.
tepperianum galls at three sites in Tasmania. Species A = Erechthias mystacinella;
Species B = Stathmopoda cephalaea. Degree of dominance, d = (NNT) x 100.
Site Species d Species d
Triabunna A 48.44 B 44.46
Burnie A 60.08 B 33.33
Blackmans Bay A 66.06 B 19.28
Table 5. Total number and number of species of moths reared from Uromycladium
galls at different times of the year.
TRIABUNNA
date galls of moths moth (Mean + SD} (Mean + SD}
species
7.x.1997 40 309 3 7.9 + 6.4 1.4 x 0.6
13.xi.1997 41 225 3 5.5 + 4.8 1.0 x 0.6
23.xii. 1997 11 79 4 7.3 + 4.9 1.6 + 0.8
18.11.1998 3l 206 B 6.7 x 6.9 1.4x 1.1
16.iv.1998 33 206 3 1.02 1.7 0.5 € 0.8
BURNIE
Collection No.of Total no. No. of Individuals/gall Species/gall
date galls of moths moth (Mean + SD) (Mean + SD)
species
24.x.1997 54 72 4 1.4 x 1.9 0.7 + 0.6
31.x.1997 45 117 4 2.6 x 3.3 0.8 + 1.1
23.1.1998 16 52 4 3.3325. 0.9 x 1.0
BLACKMANS BAY
Collection No.of Total no. No. of Individuals/gall Species/gall
date galls of moths moth (Mean + SD) (Mean + SD)
species
22.ix.1997 100 742 4 7.5 € 11.5 1.7 € 1.0
22.xii.1997 22 198 3 9.0 x 7.0 2.1 £ 0.9
18.i.1998 19 143 4 7.6 + 6.7 1.5 x 0.6
25.11.1998 29 226 4 8.1 x 11.9 1.7 x 1.0
21.v.1998 28 652 3 23.4 + 15.5 1.9 + 0.8
19.vii.1998 48 714 4 10.7 x 11.9 2.0 + 0.8
90 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Collections of old and green galls were made to determine preferences by
different moth species. E. mystacinella and E. ancistrosema emerged mainly
from old galls (Fig.2c), while S. cephalaea emerged mainly from green galls.
Several of the moth species are capable of colonising and completing
development in green galls. Only one species, E. mystacinella, demonstrated
a statistically significant relationship with a gall age class as shown in Table 6
(ANOVA, F2,328=5.70, P<0.026). The utilisation of the gall habitat is
shown in Table 7. Overall, the mean gall volume used per moth was 95.26
mm? and the mean total gall volume for the three main sites was 289.7 mm.
Lepidoptera occupied 95% of all green galls at the Blackmans Bay site.
Table 6. Moth emergence from young and old galls.
Moth species Number of emerging moths
Old galls Young galls
Erechthias ancistrosema 12 0
Erechthias mystacinella 2015 313
Stathmopoda cephalaea 368 555
Holocola triangulana 223 177
Gauna aegusalis 2 2
Table 7. Gall volume (mm") utilised by moth species at three sites in Tasmania.
Site Gall volume/moth Gall volume (Mean Number of galls
(Mean + SD) + SD)
Triabunna 66.3 + 89.3 274.1 + 183.6 157
Burnie 177.4 € 172.1 362.7 x 314.9 115
Blackmans Bay 42.1 + 70.4 232.4 + 218.6 246
Coleoptera
Both adult and larval stages of the phalacrid beetle Phalacrus uniformis feed
on the surface spores covering young Uromycladium galls (T. Weir, pers.
comm.). Larvae live in the narrow separations between the lobes of the galls
while adults hibernate in old galls (Steiner 1984). This species was the most
common coleopteran species (74% of all beetles collected) and present at all
sites where young galls were collected.
The anthribid Araecerus palmaris is known to feed on and lay its eggs in
Uromycladium rust galls. Large numbers of fungal spores are present in the
hindgut of dissected adults (Zimmermann 1994). New (1984) stated that A.
palmaris (as Doticus pestilens Oliff) was the most abundant beetle reared
from Uromycladium galls in Victoria, which was not the case in this study in
Tasmania. The first note on the association of A. palmaris with
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 91
Uromycladium galls was by Froggatt (1907). Gourlay (1929) studied the life
history of this beetle in New Zealand and found both adults and larvae present
in Uromycladium galls during winter, with the emergence of adults in
November. Holloway (1982) suggested that there are two emergence periods,
from March-April and Sept.-Nov. in New Zealand. In Tasmania only one
emergence peak was observed, in early summer, but continued emergence
between June to March may be due to sheltering adults utilising old galls. The
beetle emerged from the two sites of Blackmans Bay and Burnie. At the
Blackmans Bay site 15.4% of all beetles emerging from galls, which had
already had some emergence by other insect species, were A. palmaris. The
sex ratio was males : females 0.88:1 (n=95). This is the first published record
of this species in Tasmania. A related species, A. lindensis Blackburn, was
collected by Charles Darwin in Tasmania.
The weevil Melanterius costipennis Lea (Cryptorhynchinae) was reared in
large numbers from galls collected at the Batman Bridge and Triabunna
sites. Larvae were present in young galls, their tunneling hollowing out the
galls. Emergence of the adults occurred during December-February.
Zimmerman (1994) noted that this species has been recorded on several
species of Acacia in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales and
specifically recorded emerging from Uromycladium galls in Canberra, ACT.
Members of the genus are common weevil predators of Acacia seed. The
other curculionid species recorded all appear to be transient migrants (T.
Weir, pers. comm.).
Cryptarcha laevigata, C. australis, Carpophilus hemipterus (L.) and C.
aterrimus Macleay (Nitidulidae) are all considered to be sap rather than
spore feeders. Titaena tasmanica Champion (Tenebrionidae) probably feeds
on lichens or algae (T. Weir, pers. comm.) but larvae may graze on the
surface of the galls at night (J. Lawrence, pers. comm.). It appears that these
coleopterous species, along with the predaceous coccinellids and trogossid
species, are all utilising the old-tunnelled galls as refuges or as habitats for
prey species. Species of Soronia (Nitidulidae) have been reared from
polyporaceous fungi in NSW (Webb and Simpson 1991). C. australis was
recorded from Uromycladium galls by Tillyard (1926), who commented that
the species utilised many other refuges as adults. Egolia variegata Erichson
(Trogossitidae) was collected only from the Burnie site but is recorded as a
common predator throughout much of the forested areas of Tasmania
(Tasmanian Forest Insect Collection records) and, together with
Blackburniella hilaris (Westwood) (Cleridae) and the coccinellids, may be
regarded as incidentals on the galls.
Diptera
An undetermined species of Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Muscidae) was
collected only from the Lisle site in one collecting period. A total of 116
adults emerged over a period of 10 days in September, from a total of 15 old
92 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
galls. The only lepidopterous species to emerge from the Lisle galls in this
collection period was Stathmopoda cephalaea. The species is not parasitic or
predatory but larvae may feed on dead and decomposing lepidopterous
larvae within the galls (D. Colless, pers. comm.).
Hymenoptera
AII of the hymenopterous species are parasitoids of larvae feeding within the
galls. Both Campoplex sp. and Glabridorsum stokesii (Ichneumonidae) are
recorded as generalist parasitoids of lepidopterous species. The two
lsdromas species (Ichneumonidae) appear restricted to a tineid host
(Erechtheus | mystacinella) but may also be a hyperparasitoid of
Dolichogenidea sp. (Braconidae) (S. Schmidt, pers. comm.). Dolichogenidea
sp. was reared from some galls which only had the gracillariid moth
Polysoma eumetalla emerge. G. stokesii was reared only from galls
containing Stathmopoda cephalaea (Table 8). None of the galls retained
individually for parasite host studies had a single species of beetle emerge
without any moth species, so it was not possible to determine if any of the
parasitoids utilised beetle larvae as hosts.
Parasitism levels are difficult to assess in a complex of insect species
inhabiting galls. At the Blackmans Bay site the total number of lepidopterous
pupal cases was counted from 246 galls and a count made of hymenopterous
adults emerging from the same galls. The total number of adult insects that
emerged was 3,167 (Lepidoptera 2,675, parasitoids 492). The mean number
of parasitoids per gall was 2.11. This indicates a parasitism level of 15%,
admitting the fact that lepidopteran larval mortality from other causes was
not known. This result indicates higher levels of parasitism than that
recorded by McGeoch and Chown (1997) in a similar complex of insects
inhabiting Ravenelia galls on Acacia in South Africa. In that study only 0.6%
of lepidopterous larvae were parasitised.
Table 8. Emergence of Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera from the same gall.
HYMENOPTERA Bracon Dolicho- Bassas Comp- Gladri- —Isdro- —Isdro-
sp. genidea sp. oplex dorsum mas mas
sp. sp. stokesii sp. 1 sp. 2
LEPIDOPTERA
Erechthias x x x x x
mystacinella
Polysoma eumetalla x
Stathmopoda x x x x
cephalaea
Macrobathra sp. x x x
Holocola x x x
triangulana
Gauna aegusalis x
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 93
Impact of Uromycladium galls on the host plant
Uromycladium (Basidiomycota: Uredinales) is a genus native to Australia
but closely related to other ravenelioid rusts distributed throughout the
southern hemisphere (Orchard 1996). U. tepperianum forms round galls on
terminal branch stems, phyllodes and the tips of flowering shoots (Fig. 2d).
When formed on flowering shoots, the developing galls resemble bunches of
grapes and the galls remain as single entities without developing new galls on
older ones, as happens on stem inhabiting galls. A smaller guild of insects
than those inhabiting stem rusts, partly due to the smaller size and longevity
of the gall on the tree, occupy these galls.
New galls first appear in June/July and develop through the summer months,
changing from the light brown color to a darker spore-free surface when
fully developed in late autumn. During early winter the galls become hard
and brittle as they die, a process frequently hastened by insect activity. The
gall mass increases in size as new galls develop on older ones resulting in
large irregularly shaped globular gall masses up to 100 cm? in volume. The
galls cause death of branches and heavy infestations over several years can
cause the death of mature trees (Fig 2a).
Another species of Uromycladium, U. notabile, was occasionally found
developing on the phyllodes and terminal shoots of A. dealbata, causing
growth distortion. The galls formed by this species are not globose or large
and support fewer insects than U. tepperianum. The lepidopteran species
Polysoma eumetalla (27 adults from 4 galls), Erechthias mystacinella (7
adults from 3 galls) and Stathmopoda chalcotypa (7 adults from 3 galls)
were reared from U. notabile galls on A. dealbata.
Burges (1934) recognized seven species of Uromycladium in Australia,
restricted to Acacia species except U. tepperianum, which also occurs on
Albizzia. U. tepperianum has now been recorded on 118 known hosts in the
genera Acacia and Albizzia (Gathe 1971). In this study galls of both U.
tepperianum and U. notabile were found on the Tasmanian endemic Acacia
riceana, constituting new host tree records for these fungi.
Discussion
There is little evidence to suggest that any of the moth species inhabiting
Uromycladium galls are totally dependent on that type of gall. Other work on
insect-induced galls in Tasmania demonstrates that all but one (Erechthias
ancistrosema) also utilise other gall forms on Acacia species. (Bashford, in
prep.). The widespread distribution of Uromycladium-affected Acacia spp.
makes them an important habitat resource for insects non-dependent on
induced gall formation. The importance of stable guild populations may be
of importance to timber production in the future if exotic gall forming insects
are introduced. Having widely distributed generalist parasitoids may reduce
the impact of such exotics. This further enhances the need for reserves of
94 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
succession forest that will support potential control agents within production
forest areas.
At least one interesting question has emerged from this study. How
important are the moths emerging as adults from young galls in the dispersal
of spores? Uromycladium tepperianum spores are prolific on the outer
surface of young galls and are easily wind dispersed. However the emergence
of large numbers of moths from young galls would result in the direct
dispersal of spores to other Acacia trees. There may therefore be a
mutualistic relationship between some moths and the fungus. The moth
benefits in the immature stage by having protection and a food resource
while the fungus obtains direct spore dispersal.
The finding of the rare endemic species E. ancistrosema is important for
several reasons. This study has demonstrated that the species is associated
with galls. The fact that the adults only emerged from old galls indicates a
long larval development period in young galls. The collection of specimens
from near the holotype locality suggests that the species continues to have a
very restricted distribution. Since the completion of this study, all gall-
infested trees at the Burnie site have been removed due to their declining
health. This practice increases the vulnerability of this species but, like other
tineids, it may inhabit other gall types in the area.
Site similarity as shown in Table 1 reflects the sampling effort. The three
main sites, which were sampled throughout the 14 month period, all contain a
high proportion of the total number of species reared. More frequent sampling
at the other sites would most likely have increased the number of species at
those sites. The value of opportunistic sampling is reflected in emergence
from the Lisle site galls of two lepidopterous species, both new records for
Tasmania.
This study parallels much of the work reported by New (1984) and McGeoch
and Chown (1997) on Lepidoptera inhabiting rust galls. The current study has
taken a landscape approach to gall utilisation and an attempt has been made
to determine the complete insect fauna utilizing these galls in Tasmania. The
information provided in these and other ongoing studies provides the basis
for future investigations of ‘island’ communities, examining heterogenicity
of species composition, biotic interactions, community stability on a regional
scale and the dynamics of rare species.
Acknowledgements
Mr Tim Wardlaw (Forestry Tasmania) identified the Uromycladium and
Paecilomyes fungi. Specialists at the Australian National Insect Collection
(CSIRO, Canberra) kindly identified some of the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera
and Hymenoptera morphospecies. Dr Andrew Austin (Waite Institute, South
Australia) examined the braconids.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 95
References
BURGES, A. 1934. Studies in the genus Uromycladium (Uredineae). 1. General introduction, the
anatomy of the galls, and the cytology of the vegetative mycelium and pycnia of Uromycladium
tepperianum (Sacc.) McAlp. on Acacia stricta Willd. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New
South Wales 59: 212-228.
COMMON, I.F.B. 1990. Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne; 535 pp.
ELLIOTT, H.J. 1978. Studies on the fireblight beetle, Pyrgoides orphana (Erichson) (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae) and its effect on the growth of silver wattle in Tasmania. Australian Forestry
4103): 160-166.
FROGGATT, W.W. 1907. Australian insects. Government Printer, New South Wales; 181pp.
GASTON, K.J. 1990. Patterns in the geographical ranges of species. Biological Review 65: 105-
129.
GATHE, J. 1971. Host range and symptoms in western Australia of the gall rust, Uromycladium
tepperianum. Royal Society of Western Australia 54(4): 114-118.
GOURLAY, E.S. 1929. The apple beetle (Doticus pestilens Oliff) in New Zealand. New Zealand
Journal of Science and Technology 10: 369-370.
HOLLOWAY, B.A. 1982. Anthribidae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Fauna of New Zealand 37: 1-159.
LAWRENCE, J.F. and MILNER, R.J. 1984. Associations between arthropods and fungi. p. 514, in
Wheeler and Blackwell (eds.), Fungus-insect relationships: perspectives in ecology and evolution.
Columbia University Press, New York.
McGEOCH. M.A. and CHOWN, S.L. 1997. Evidence of competition in a herbivorous, gall-
inhabiting moth (Lepidoptera) community. Oikos 78: 107-115.
MORRIS, MJ. 1987. Biology of the Acacia rust, Uromycladium tepperianum. Plant Pathology
36: 100-106.
MORRIS, M.J. 1997. Impact of the gall-forming rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum on the
invasive tree Acacia saligna in South Africa. Biological Control 10(2): 75-82.
NEW, T.R. 1982. Lepidoptera from Uromycladium galls on Acacia. Australian Journal of Zoology
30: 357-364.
NEW, T.R. 1984. Acacias and arthropods: a biology of Acacias. Oxford University Press.
NIELSEN, E.S., EDWARDS, E.D. and RANGSI, T.V. 1996. Checklist of the Lepidoptera of
Australia. Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera, Vol. 4. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood; 529
PP.
ORCHARD, A. E. 1996. Fungi of Australia. Vol. 1A: Introduction and Classification. Australian
Biological Resources Study & CSIRO, Canberra.
RAWLINS, J.E. 1984. Mycophagy in Lepidoptera. Pp 382-423, in Wheeler and Blackwell (eds.),
Fungus-insect relationships: perspectives in ecology and evolution. Columbia University Press,
New York.
SEMMENS, T.D., MCQUILLAN, P.B. and HAYHURST, G. 1992. Catalogue of the insects of
Tasmania. Department of Primary Industry, Tasmania; 104 pp.
STEINER, W.E. 1984. A review of the biology of phalacrid beetles (Coleoptera). Pp. 424-445, in
Wheeler and Blackwell (eds.), Fungus-insect relationships: perspectives in ecology and evolution.
Columbia University Press, New York.
WEBB, G.A. and SIMPSON, J.A. 1991. Notes on some Australian fungus beetles and their hosts
and parasites (Coleoptera). Coleopterists Bulletin 45(1): 42-44.
ZIMMERMANN, E.C. 1994. Australian weevils. Vols 1 & 2. CSIRO Publishing, East Melbourne.
96 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
A NOTE ON THE BIOLOGY OF TERMITORIOXA TERMITOXENA
(BEZZI) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)
D.L. HANCOCK
PO Box 2464, Cairns, Qld 4870
Abstract
Termitorioxa termitoxena (Bezzi) breeds beneath bark of standing trees. An earlier association
with termite galleries is presumed to be incidental.
Discussion
Termitorioxa termitoxena (Bezzi) is a tropical Australian fruit fly belonging
to the tribe Acanthonevrini, most members of which breed in decaying fruit,
fallen logs, beneath bark or in native figs (Permkam and Hancock 1995). The
type series of T. termitoxena was bred from galleries of Mastotermes
darwiniensis Hill in tree trunks at Darwin (Bezzi 1919).
In the Northern Territory, T. termitoxena has been bred from larvae collected
in oozing resin beneath the bark of Terminalia sp. (Combretaceae) damaged
by a cerambycid beetle [1 ? examined, Darwin, 31.i.1976, P. I. Whelan].
Permkam and Hancock (1995) also recorded a female ovipositing in the trunk of
Delonix regia (poinciana: Fabaceae) in Darwin. It is likely that the
association of the type series with termites was incidental and that this species
normally breeds beneath decaying tree bark, as in the related Lumirioxa
araucariae (Tryon), which breeds in a wet rot beneath the bark of Araucaria
cunninghamii (Araucariaceae) (Brimblecombe 1945). Several other genera
of Australian Acanthonevrini and Phytalmiini breed or are believed to breed
beneath bark. Austronevra Permkam & Hancock, Dacopsis Hering and
Phytalmia Gerstaecker breed in fallen logs of Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum
(Meliaceae) (Dodson and Daniels 1988). Austrorioxa Permkam & Hancock
and Copiolepis Enderlein may also be log breeders. Acanthonevroides
Permkam & Hancock, Aridonevra Permkam & Hancock and Taeniorioxa
Permkam & Hancock are closely related to Termitorioxa Hendel and
presumably also breed beneath the bark of standing trees.
Acknowledgement
I thank Glenn Bellis (AQIS, Darwin) for the loan of material.
References
BEZZI, M. 1919. A new Australian species of Rioxa, with a remarkable life-habit (Dipt.;
Trypaneidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 10: 1-5.
BRIMBLECOMBE, A.R. 1945. The biology, economic importance and control of the pine bark
weevil, Aesiotes notabilis Pasc. Queensland Journal of Agricultural Science 2: 1-88.
DODSON, G. and DANIELS, G. 1988. Diptera reared from Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum (Juss.)
Miq. at Iron Range, northern Queensland. Australian Entomological Magazine 15: 77-79.
PERMKAM, S. and HANCOCK, D.L. 1995. Australian Trypetinae (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Invertebrate Taxonomy 9: 1047-1209.
—
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3): 97-102 97
A NEW SPECIES OF SIPHANTA STAL (HEMIPTERA: FLATIDAE)
FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND NOTES ON OTHER SPECIES
OF THE GENUS
MURRAY J. FLETCHER
Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road,
Orange, NSW 2800
Abstract
Siphanta striata sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The species is close to Siphanta luteolineata
Fletcher. This brings the number of species in the genus to 41, of which 37 are restricted to
Australia. Six colour forms of Siphanta patruelis (Stal) are figured, including a previously unknown
form from Western Australia here given the infrasubspecific name "form drysdalensis”. The
presence of Siphanta acuta (Walker) in the United States is reported and its likely presence on the
island of New Guinea discussed.
Introduction
The genus Siphanta Stal was revised by Fletcher (1985) who recognised 40
species, of which all but four are restricted to Australia and one, S. expatria
Fletcher, is only recorded from New Guinea (Irian Jaya and possibly Papua
New Guinea). The other three species extend from Australia into
neighbouring regions: S. patruelis (Stal) from Australia to New Guinea,
Indonesia and the Philippines, S. lucindae Kirkaldy in Australia and New
Guinea and S. acuta (Walker) from Australia to New Zealand and Hawaii and is
here recorded from California, USA. Medler's (2000) record of S. acuta
from New Guinea is discussed below. This paper adds a further species, S.
striata sp. nov. from Western Australia.
Materials and methods
The colour photographs included in this paper were taken with an Agfa
ePhoto 1680 digital camera through a Zeiss Stemi SV8 stereomicroscope
fitted with a phototube. The male genitalia of the holotype of S. striata were
removed and macerated in 10% KOH before being photographed using the
same camera and microscope. Figure 4 was produced using Photoshop 5.0
by adding a layer to the digital image and tracing over the pygofer and
subgenital plates in the photograph. The background image was then deleted
leaving the line drawing. The aedeagus illustration was produced by initially
printing a copy of the genitalia photograph and tracing over the aedeagus
with pencil to highlight the relevant parts. This image was then scanned using
an HP Scanjet ADF and the image traced in Photoshop using the same
technique as used for the external genitalia.
Repositories of examined material are: ANIC - Australian National Insect
Collection, Canberra; ASCU - Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit, NSW
Agriculture, Orange; MAMU - Macleay Museum, University of Sydney.
98 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Figs 1-3. Siphanta striata sp. nov. (1) habitus; (2) dorsum; (3) frontal view of head.
Scale bars: (1) 1 mm; (2-3) 0.5 mm.
Siphanta striata sp. nov.
(Figs 1-5)
Types. Holotype 0, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Drysdale River, 14.398 126.57E, 18-
21.viii.1975, I.F.B. Common and M.S. Upton (ANIC). Paratype $, same data as
holotype (ANIC).
Description. Coloration: Frons partly testaceous, heavily mottled with dark
red, more heavily towards apical margin and lateral margins which are finely
rimmed with black, becoming sordid brown ventrally. Vertex orange basally
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 99
merging to red towards anterior and lateral margins with line of testaceous
round spots around margins. Pronotum and mesonotum orange with median
longitudinal stripe and lateral carinae broadly and percurrently green. Tegmen
with longitudinal veins broadly orange-red, cells and costal margin pale
testaceous, apical cells becoming dark red towards apical margin and granules
of corium and clavus finely tipped with black.
Morphology: Frons (Fig. 3) about as wide as long to frontoclypeal suture.
Lateral margins strongly carinate, almost foliaceous, apical margin
percurrently carinate and medial longitudinal carina well developed
throughout. Vertex (Fig. 2) wider than long (2.75:1), concave between
carinate margins, slightly corrugated laterally. Anterior margin broadly and
obtusely angulate. Hind margin concave. Pronotum (Fig. 2) anterior margin
broadly convex, produced medially to align with hind margin of vertex.
Lateral carinae well defined. Hind margin roundly and broadly V-shaped.
Tegmen (Fig. 1) without, or with very obscure, cross venation in basal two-
thirds, including clavus. Sutural angle rounded, slightly more obtuse than
right angle. Apical margin broadly rounded. Metatibial spine formula 1:6.
Male genitalia: Anal segment elongate, apically flattened and broad. Pygofer
(Fig. 4) with process elongate, apically slightly curved dorsally and clubbed.
Subgenital plates (Fig. 4) narrow, parallel-sided, apically acute with dorsal
process apically truncate-pointed, perpendicular to plate margin and remote
from apex of plate. Aedeagus as in Figure 5.
Figs 4-5. Siphanta striata sp. nov. (4) male terminalia, lateral view; (5) aedeagus,
lateral view.
100 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Comments. This species keys out as Siphanta luteolineata Fletcher in the key
to species of Siphanta provided by Fletcher (1985) but can be easily
distinguished from that species by the marked striping on the tegmen, the
somewhat rugose vertex and the structure of the male genitalia, particularly
the markedly pointed apical processes of the aedeagus. Both species share an
absence of crossveins in the sutural cell, a concave vertex and bright striping
on the head and pronotum. Full colour images of both species can be seen in
Fletcher and Lariviére (2001 + updates) at http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/
ascu/fulgor/flat0.htm.
Siphanta patruelis (Stål)
(Figs 6-11)
Material examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2 O'G, 1 9, Drysdale River, 14.398
126.57E, 18-21.viii.1975, I.F.B. Common and M.S. Upton; 5 d'o, 1 9, Carson
escarpment, 14.498 126.49E, 9-15.viii. 1975, I.F.B. Common and M.S. Upton (all in
ANIC except 1 0' from each locality in ASCU).
Comments. S. patruelis is known to occur in several colour forms, most of
which have been described as separate species which were synonymised by
Fletcher (1985). The typical form (Fig. 6) has the tegmen of more or less
uniform green or greenish-yellow colour throughout, sometimes with the
margins finely marked with red. The tegminal granules are black-tipped and
sometimes also surrounded by a narrow red rim. A form from Cairns,
northern Qld, with a pale oblique longitudinal stripe through the tegmen (Fig.
7), was described by Kirkaldy (1906) as S. toga Kirkaldy. Distant (1910)
described, as Parasalurnis infumata Distant, a form from Townsville,
northern Qld, with extensive brown coloration on the posterior half of the
tegmen (Fig. 8) and this brown coloration may completely cover the tegmen
(Fig. 9). Lallemand (1935) described a form from the Northern Territory,
with this brown coloration broken up into discrete brown patches (Fig. 10), as S.
toga var. maculata Lallemand. The two series of specimens from Western
Australia detailed above match S. patruelis in the shape of the tegmen, the
presence of dark-tipped granules on the tegmen and the structure of the male
genitalia, but differ from all the above forms in the presence of a series of
pale longitudinal stripes in the longitudinal cells of the tegmen. The vertex is
also slightly shorter than in the typical form. This new form, here called
"form drysdalensis", is shown in Figure 11.
The names applied to these colour forms are currently infrasubspecific and
hence have no validity, at this taxonomic level, under the terms of the Code
(ICZN 1999, Art. 15.2). However, "toga" and “infumata” were originally
published as species names (Kirkaldy 1906, Distant 1910) and “maculata”,
although originally published as a "form" (Lallemand 1935), was published
prior to 1961 so is recognised by the Code as having subspecific rank at the
time of publication (ICZN 1999, Art. 45.6.4). These three names are therefore
recognised by the Code and would regain valid status from their original dates
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 101
of publication if they are ever restored to a taxonomic level, such as
subspecies, which is recognised under the Code. Since the forms are not
geographically isolated from the typical form, which occurs throughout the
distribution of the species, it is unlikely that sufficient evidence will be found
to justify recognition of these colour forms as subspecies.
Figs 6-11. Siphanta patruelis. (6) typical form; (7) "toga" form; (8) "infumata" form;
(9) brown form of “infumata”; (10) “maculata” form; (11) “drysdalensis” form. Scale
bars: 2 mm.
Siphanta acuta (Walker)
Comments. 'This species was recorded from all States of Australia and from
New Zealand and Hawaii (Hawaii, Kaui, Molokai, Oahu, West Maui) by
Fletcher (1985). It is also reported to be seen commonly in gardens in
California, USA (E. E. Taylor, pers. comm.). Medler (2000) gives records of
S. acuta from the island of New Guinea but he also lists S. lucindae
erroneously as a synonym of that species. Since there is no indication of a
proposed new synonymy, it appears that this is an editorial error. It therefore
follows that the records from New Guinea provided by Medler (2000) may
refer to S. lucindae, since his “previously published" locality records are
those provided by Fletcher (1985) as the Papua New Guinea records of S.
102 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
lucindae. Consequently, Medler's (2000) new records from New Guinea
may also be for S. lucindae. The presence of S. acuta in New Guinea thus
remains unconfirmed, although the current wide distribution of the species
indicates that its presence there is highly likely.
A specimen of S. acuta in MAMU is labelled ‘Georgia’, apparently in George
Masters’ handwriting, but without further details. It is uncertain whether this
label is accurate and the record from Georgia (USA or Eastern Europe)
remains unverified. The specimen is probably a male, based on size, but the
abdomen is missing.
Acknowledgements
The author thanks Graham Crompton (ANIC) for the loan of specimens and
permission to deposit reference specimens in ASCU and Margaret
Humphrey (MAMU) for arranging access to the Macleay insect collection.
References
DISTANT, W.L. 1910. Rhynchotal notes 1. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 5: 297-
322.
FLETCHER, M.J. 1985. Revision of the genus Siphanta Stal (Homoptera: Fulguroidea: Flatidae).
Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series 110: 1-94.
FLETCHER, M.J. and LARIVIERE, M.-C. 2001 + updates. Identification keys and checklists for
the leafhoppers, planthoppers and their relatives occurring in Australia and New Zealand
(Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). http:/Avww.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu/start.htm
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.
LALLEMAND, V. 1035. Homopteres des Iles de la Sonde et de I” Australie du nord. Revue Suisse
de Zoologie 42: 661-681.
MEDLER, J.T. 2000. Flatidae of New Guinea and adjacent areas (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea).
Bishop Museum Bulletins in Entomology8: 1-117.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3): 103-106 103
THE EARLY IMMATURE STAGES OF HYPOCHRYSOPS ELGNERI
BARNARDI WATERHOUSE AND H. HIPPURIS NEBULOSIS SANDS
(LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)
P.R. SAMSON
Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, PMB 57, Mackay Mail Centre, Qld 4741
Abstract
Eggs and early instar larvae of Hypochrysops elgneri barnardi Waterhouse and H. hippuris
nebulosis Sands from northern Queensland are described and illustrated. Eggs of each were laid
singly on the food plants, those of H. e. barnardi mostly beneath leaves of the tree Nauclea
orientalis (Rubiaceae) and those of H. h. nebulosis mostly on the rhizome of the fern Pyrrosia
lanceolata (Polypodiaceae). Small larvae of H. e. barnardi ate leaves of N. orientalis whereas
small larvae of H. h. nebulosis mainly ate the rhizome until the third instar, when they fed on the
fern blades. Larvae of H. e. barnardi and H. h. nebulosis passed through 7 and 6 instars,
respectively.
Introduction
Hypochrysops elgneri barnardi Waterhouse and H. hippuris nebulosis Sands
are known in mainland Australia only from areas in or near rainforest within
Cape York Peninsula, northern Queensland. The life histories of each have
been recorded recently (Samson et al. 1997, Johnson and Valentine 2001).
However, the eggs and first instars have not been described, other than a
hatched egg of H. e. barnardi (Samson et al. 1997). Here I describe the early
immature stages of both species from material collected near the Claudie
River in August 2001.
Hypochrysops elgneri barnardi
Egg (Fig. 1). A flattened sphere, with coarse network of fine oblique ridges
forming diamond-shaped cells with long spines at their intersection; dark
greenish blue, spines white. Diameter 0.9 mm including spines.
First instar (Fig. 2). Prothorax (T1) with dark brown marginal hairs; meso-
and metathorax (T2 and T3) and abdominal segments 1-7 (A1-A7) each with
three pairs of long lateral hairs, the central pair brown on A3-A7 but
otherwise colourless; anal segments A8-A10 with very long dark brown or
colourless marginal hairs; each segment with one pair of colourless
ventrolateral hairs; prothoracic plate dorsally with two pairs of long dark
brown hairs; T2 with two pairs of long dark brown dorsal hairs, the two hairs
on each side held together; T3-A6 each with two pairs of dorsal hairs, the
outer pair short, dark brown on A1-A3 and A6 but otherwise colourless, the
inner pair long dark brown though of decreasing length from T3 to A3 and
held together vertically, much shorter than outer pair on A4-A6; two pairs of
long brown dorsal hairs on A7; three pairs of long dark brown and one pair
of shorter dark brown dorsolateral hairs on A8-A10; yellowish green, reddish
brown dorsally on Tl and A1-A3 and A7-A10; head, prothoracic and anal
plates black.
104 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Hypochrysops hippuris nebulosis
Egg (Fig. 3). A flattened sphere, with closely spaced oblique ridges forming
small deep diamond-shaped cells, with short spines, micropylar area sunken;
pale green. Diameter 1.0 mm including spines.
First instar (Fig. 4). T1 with colourless marginal hairs; T2-A7 each with
three pairs of long colourless lateral hairs; A8-A10 with long colourless
marginal hairs; each segment with one pair of colourless ventrolateral hairs;
prothoracic plate dorsally with two pairs of long greyish hairs; T2-T3 each
with two pairs of long colourless dorsal hairs; A1-A6 each with two pairs of
dorsal hairs, the outer pair short, greyish on A6 but otherwise colourless, the
inner pair long and colourless on A1-A3, short and colourless on A4-A5 and
long dark grey and held together medially on A6; numerous pairs of short
colourless dorsal and dorsolateral hairs on A7-A10; pale greenish yellow, a
reddish dorsal spot on A6; head pale brown, prothoracic plate body colour,
anal plate greyish.
Second instar (Fig. 5). Flattened with scalloped margins, dorsal ridge on T2-
A5, A7-A10 broad; colourless anterior and posterior hairs; T2 with one pair
of lateral hairs and T2-A3 each with one pair of ventrolateral hairs, all
colourless; one pair of colourless dorsal hairs from rear of prothoracic plate;
T2-A4 each with one pair of dorsal hairs, brown on A4 but otherwise
colourless; dense secondary setae; cream, T1 reddish anteriorly, a reddish
dorsal patch on A6-A8; head pale brown, prothoracic plate glossy black, anal
plate glossy grey. Newcomer's organ present on A7 and tentacular organs
(TOs) present on A8, the area surrounding the TOs large and raised, brown
to black.
Third instar. Form similar to second instar, but with additional dorsal hairs
including one brown pair on A5; greyish white with reddish brown at front of
T1, dorsally on A6-A8 and in subdorsal band on T2-A6, a white lateral line,
spiracles black.
Life history notes
I found eggs of H. e. barnardi singly beneath leaves of Nauclea orientalis
(Rubiaceae), in feeding scars, necrotic areas or on healthy green tissue. Only
a few eggs were found on branches; they may have been more numerous but
were much harder to see than on the leaves. The incubation time is uncertain
as the date of oviposition was unknown, but must be at least 6 days as that
was the time that elapsed until hatching of some field-collected eggs. First
instar larvae of H. e. barnardi were also found beneath leaves, usually with
one or two ants, Philidris cordatus stewartii (Forel), on the leaf. Small larvae
skeletonised the underside of leaves, but in later instars they ate holes through
the leaves as described by Samson et al. (1997). Six larvae of H. e. barnardi
were reared at Mackay under ambient conditions. All passed through seven
instars. Mean durations of successive instars were 7 d, 6 d, 6 d, 7 d, 7 d, 10 d
and 16 d (n = 5 or 6); the mean larval development time was 60 d (n = 4).
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 105
Figs 1-5. Hypochrysops elgneri barnardi: (1) egg; (2) first instar larva, head at right.
H. hippuris nebulosis: (3) egg; (4-5) first and second instar larvae, head at right. Scale
bars = 1 mm; Figs 1-4 to same scale.
106 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Re-examination of the preserved specimen of H. e. barnardi photographed
and described by Samson et al. (1997) as an 'early instar' showed it to be a
second instar, by the presence of hairs on the prothoracic plate. These hairs
are absent in later instars.
I found eggs of H. h. nebulosis by watching a female at a small spindly tree
bearing Pyrrosia sp. fern (Polypodiaceae) along its trunk and two branches.
There were also several small ant-plants (Myrmecodia sp., Rubiaceae) on the
tree, with associated ants (Philidris cordatus). The female would land on the
fern blades, then crawl down towards their base and on to the branch,
probing with her abdomen. After appearing to oviposit she would fly a short
distance to land on the same or an adjacent tree, but then return. Four eggs
appeared to be laid during about 1 hour of observation from around midday.
The tree was then examined and four eggs were found, one on the petiole at
the base of a fern blade, two on fern rhizome and one beneath debris near the
rhizome. Other eggs, mostly hatched, were subsequently found on ferns on
other trees. The majority of eggs were laid on the slender rhizome, often
partly hidden between the rhizome and the supporting branch, but a few eggs
were found on fern blades. All were laid singly.
The newly laid eggs hatched in 8 days. The first two larval instars mostly
rested on and fed on the rhizome, grazing the surface or chewing deep pits in
the soft tips. However, one larva fed on fern blades in the first instar. By the
third or fourth instars feeding seemed to be only on the blades, with larvae
eating windows in one surface as illustrated by Johnson and Valentine
(2001). One larva of H. h. nebulosis passed through six instars from hatching
to pupation; several other larvae died during rearing. The mean duration of
successive instars was 9 d (n = 4), 9 d (n = 4), 8d(n=2),7d(n=2),7d(n
= 2) and 11 d (n = 1); the larval period of the individual that pupated
occupied 51 d.
The description of ‘third instar larvae’ provided by Johnson and Valentine
(2001) differs from mine, and their illustration of a ‘fourth instar larva’
matches my observations of fifth instars. The discrepancy is explained by
those authors having assumed that there were only five larval instars and
working backwards from pupation to estimate stage of development (S.
Johnson, pers. comm.).
Acknowledgement
I am grateful to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the permit
covering this work.
References
JOHNSON, S.J. and VALENTINE, P.S. 2001. Notes on the life history of Hypochrysops hippuris
nebulosis Sands (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Australian Entomologist 28: 13-16.
SAMSON, P.R., JOHNSON, S.J. and VALENTINE, P.S. 1997. The life history of Hypochrysops
elgneri barnardi Waterhouse (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Australian Entomologist 24: 159-163.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3): 107-111 107
A STRIKING NEW SUBSPECIES OF HYPOLIMNAS PITHOEKA
KIRSCH (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) FROM THE TORRES
ISLANDS, NORTHERN VANUATU
W. JOHN TENNENT
Biogeography and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Entomology, The Natural History
Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
(address for correspondence: 38 Colin McLean Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2RY, UK)
Abstract
Hypolimnas pithoeka impostor subsp. nov. is described from the Torres group of islands in northem
Vanuatu. It is compared with other subspecies of H. pithoeka Kirsch and with H. octocula Butler.
Its mimetic resemblance to Euploea leucostictos Gmelin is discussed.
Introduction
Hypolimnas pithoeka Kirsch occurs, in a number of described subspecies,
from the main island of New Guinea eastwards through the Solomon
archipelago to Vanuatu. On islands of the Solomon archipelago, H. pithoeka
is a member of resident nymphalid mimicry complexes. The female of its
congener H. misippus Linnaeus is said to be a remarkably close mimic of
Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus. Subspecies of H. pithoeka, while less colourful
or dramatic, are equally accurate mimics of brown species of Euploea
Fabricius.
H. pithoeka was first recorded from Vanuatu by Gross (1975), who reported
it from the islands of Efatć and Erromango. Samson (1979) reported
nominotypical H. pithoeka from the *New Hebrides' and later (Samson 1983,
1986) recorded *H. pithoeka subsp.” from Efatć. The present author is not
aware of any specimens of H. pithoeka from Vanuatu in any museum or
private collection. Tennent (2001a) suggested the possibility that Vanuatu
specimens may be referrable to H. p. leveri Tennent, described from the
Santa Cruz group of islands (Solomon Islands). This is not the case. During a
brief visit to the Torres group of islands in northern Vanuatu in September
2000, a short series of H. pithoeka, representing an undescribed subspecies,
was collected on Loh Island.
Hypolimnas pithoeka impostor subsp. nov.
(Figs 1-4)
Types. Holotype &', VANUATU: Torres group, Loh Island, between Lunghariki and
Rinjha villages, SL-20 m, 6.ix.2000, W.J. Tennent (in The Natural History Museum
[BMNH], London). Paratypes: 1 O', 1 9, same data as holotype (O' gen. prep
BMNH(V) 5979); 1 o”, 1 9, same data as holotype but 7.ix.2000 (O' gen. prep
BMNH(V) 5980); 4 99, same data as holotype but 3.ix.2000, 4.ix.2000, 8.ix.2000 or
10.ix.2000 (all BMNH).
Description. Male (Figs 1-2). Forewing length 35 mm; upperside markings
with some superficial resemblance to H. p. ferruginea Howarth from Bellona
Island and H. octocula from the northern and central islands of Vanuatu.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
108
TT] annan TT
Lid begi i lili TT FI MIE EEE ł TTT
"ul ep UMM i i f
BET H hi) HERE ud ili HAT
i i i mm i | i |
Figs 1-2. Hypolimnas pithoeka impostor subsp. nov., holotype male: (1) upperside; (2)
underside.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 109
r H I i ———— - — ———————— ITTITITT
i UNI m] CERE TT] HHRHH E q M MAU COLE: KOPAJU UU
; t | i
: , U " imm i i 1 i i
Figs 3-4. Hypolimnas pithoeka impostor subsp. nov., paratype female: (3) upperside;
(4) underside.
110 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
Forewing dark brown, with an indistinct and obscure dull red postdiscal band
and subapical markings (variable: the holotype [Fig. 1] is intermediate)
(forewing unmarked in H. p. ferruginea; forewing generally with a broad,
clear orange postdiscal band in H. octocula); 2-4 tiny white subapical spots;
hindwing with a broad, dull orange submarginal band, enclosing a full series
of white-pupilled black spots (band duller and spots incomplete, not white-
pupilled in H. p. ferruginea; band narrower, brighter, and spots not white-
pupilled in H. octocula); underside various shades of brown with obscure pale
orange-yellow submarginal band enclosing a full series of black submarginal
spots almost completely filled with prominent, white centres (underside
without band in H. p. ferruginea; band usually distinct and white centres less
prominent in H. octocula). Genitalia typical of H. pithoeka.
Female (Figs 3-4) superficially similar to other subspecies of H. pithoeka, in
particular H. p. ferruginea and H. p. leveri (from Santa Cruz Islands);
upperside plain brown; forewing with a curved subapical series of white spots
and a prominent (see discussion) ‘double’ spot above inner margin; hindwing
with an irregular submarginal series of pale blue markings (lacking in other
subspecies of H. pithoeka) and an obscure orange-brown broad submarginal
band enclosing black spots with large white pupils; underside shades of
brown; forewing with a full series of submarginal white spots; hindwing with
a barely discernible pale submarginal band enclosing a full series of black
spots prominently filled with white.
Distribution. The Torres group (Loh Island), northern Vanuatu.
Etymology. The subspecific name impostor is derived from its deceptive
resemblance to Euploea leucostictos.
Discussion
The author has observed H. pithoeka on many islands of the Solomon
archipelago, including the western and central islands (H. p. pithoeka),
Rennell (H. p. bradleyi Howarth), Bellona (H. p. ferruginea), Malaita (H. p.
scopas Godman & Salvin) and the Santa Cruz group (H. p. leveri). Although
widespread, it is seldom common and individuals of both sexes are usually
found in company with greater numbers of resident Euploea species, which
they resemble both in phenotype and flight pattern. They thus obtain a
measure of protection due to the unpalatability of the danaine butterflies.
With experience, H. pithoeka can usually be identified on the wing, although
this may not be possible until an individual comes to rest, usually quite
suddenly and without hesitation on the upper or under surface of a leaf, with
wings closed. Euploea species rest in the same position but almost always
investigate a suitable resting place by hesitating before landing, sometimes
for quite a prolonged period. Males of some subspecies (e.g. H. p. bradleyi
and H. p. leveri) also occasionally rest in typical nymphaline fashion, with
wings spread flat, a posture rarely adopted by their danaine models.
Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3) 111
A male Hypolimnas Hiibner species seen (but not secured) on Loh Island
feeding at the flowers of Mikania (Asteraceae) initially was thought to be H.
octocula, not recorded from the Torres group, on account of its prominent
orange bands. The following day, a butterfly which appeared similar in all
respects to Euploea leucostictos Gmelin was observed at close quarters
flying in an overgrown village garden and initially was ignored. It was not
until the individual came to rest suddenly on the upperside of a leaf that the
underside markings clearly identified it as a species of Hypolimnas. The
white submarginal mark above the margin on the upperside of the forewing
in female H. pithoeka and the prominent median spot on both surfaces of the
forewing in male E. leucostictos, bear little resemblance when viewed on set
specimens. In flight, however, this female H. pithoeka (Fig. 3) appeared very
similar to E. leucostictos and this presumably affords some protection from
potential predators. When a male was eventually captured, it was clear from
the shape of the forewing, longer and narrower than that of H. octocula, that
this was also H. pithoeka.
The male of H. pithoeka impostor closely resembles that of H. octocula from
the southern islands of Vanuatu, where it is apparently very variable and
often has the orange forewing band reduced or absent (Samson 1986). On
the central islands (e.g. Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efatć), H. octocula is less
variable. There appears to be some faunal discontinuity between the Torres
Islands and the Santa Cruz group (Solomon Islands) to the north and
between the Torres Islands and the Banks group to the south-east (c.f.
Papilio fuscus Goeze: Tennent 2001b) and this is currently under
investigation.
Acknowledgement
Thanks are due to Mr Ernest Bani, Environment Unit, Government of
Vanuatu, for supporting a preliminary research visit.
References
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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 272: 391-421.
SAMSON, C. 1979. Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of the Santa Cruz group of islands,
Solomon Islands. Aurelian, Beckley 1(2): 1-19.
SAMSON, C. 1983. Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Vanuatu. Naika: Journal of the
Vanuatu Natural Science Society 10: 2-6.
SAMSON, C. 1986. The Hypolimnas octocula complex, with notes on H. inopta (Lepidoptera,
Nymphalidae). Tyó to Ga 37(1): 15-44.
TENNENT, W.J. 2001a. Twenty new butterflies from the Solomon Islands (Lepidoptera:
Hesperiidae; Lycaenidae; Nymphalinae; Satyrinae; Danainae). British Journal of Entomology and
Natural History 14: 1-27.
TENNENT, WJ. 2001b. The Vanuatu subspecies of Papilio fuscus Goeze (Lepidoptera:
Papilionidae). Australian Entomologist 28(2): 33-40.
112 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (3)
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McKILLUP, S.C., McKILLUP, R.V. and PAPE, T.
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THE AUSTRALIAN
Entomologist
Volume 29, Part 3, 20 September 2002
kkk
CONTENTS
BASHFORD, R.
The insect fauna inhabiting Uromycladium (Uredinales) rust galls on
silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) in Tasmania.
FLETCHER, MJ.
A new species of Siphanta Stål (Hemiptera: Flatidae) from Western Australia
and notes on other species of the genus.
HANCOCK, D.L.
A note on the biology of Termitorioxa termitoxena (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae).
SAMSON, P.R.
The early immature stages of Hypocbrysops elgneri barnardi Waterhouse
and H. bippuris nebulosis Sands (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).
TENNENT, WJ.
A striking new subspecies of Hypolimnas pithoeka Kirsch
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the Torres Islands, northern Vanuatu.
RECENT ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE
ISSN 1320 6133