THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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

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Editor: Dr D.L. Hancock

Assistant Editors: Dr CJ. Burwell

Queensland Museum

Dr G.B. Monteith

Queensland Museum

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Queensland Museum

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Membership is open to anyone interested in Entomology. Meetings are normally held

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Sustaining Associates

Centre for Identification and Diagnotics, The University of Queensland; Pest

Management Research, Department of Natural Resources; Griffith University Fruit

Fly Group

Cover: The carabid beetle genus Nurus has about 10 large, heavy-bodied species

which occur along the eastern seaboard of Australia from northern NSW to north Qld.

They live in spiral burrows which they excavate with their mandibles. Prey is

ambushed from the burrow entrance at night. Females brood their eggs and first instar

larvae in the burrow. Nurus brevis Motschulsky, 1865 occurs near Lismore and is

listed as rare and endangered by NSW legislation. Illustration by Geoff Thompson.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 113-114 113

CORRECTING ERRONEOUS LARVAL FOOD PLANT RECORDS:

THE CASE OF HYPOCHRYSOPS BYZOS (BOISDUVAL)

(LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

ROD EASTWOOD! and A.R. BEAN?

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

?Queensland Herbarium, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Qld 4066

Abstract

The larval food plant for Hypochrysops byzos (Boisduval) on Mt Warning, in northern New South

Wales, is corrected from Astrotricha longifolia (Araliaceae) to Rulingia salviifolia (Sterculiaceae).

The importance of removing erroneous records from the literature is discussed.

Introduction

Eastwood (1997) recorded Astrotricha longifolia Benth. (Araliaceae) as a

larval food plant for the lycaenid butterfly Hypochrysops byzos (Boisduval)

on the upper slopes of Mt Warning National Park in northern New South

Wales. Doubts were raised subsequently regarding the authenticity of this

record, particularly since A. longifolia was not known to occur on Mt

Warning. Furthermore, H. byzos usually feeds on Pomaderris species

(Rhamnaceae) and, since Pomaderris argyrophylla N.A.Wakef. occurs on the

upper slopes of Mt Warning and its leaves resemble those of Astrotricha spp., it

was thought that this may be the correct larval food plant. As a result of the

uncertainty, Braby (2000) did not include A. longifolia as a larval food plant

for H. byzos, suggesting it was likely to be a misidentification. The purpose

of this paper is to document the correct larval food plant and comment on the

importance of removing erroneous records from the literature.

Observations

The correct larval food plant for H. byzos on Mt Warning is Rulingia

salviifolia (Hook. ex Steetz) Benth. (Sterculiaceae). This plant grows in sandy

or skeletal soil and is usually found in the understorey of eucalypt woodland,

but appears to thrive in relatively exposed conditions on the summit of Mt

Warning. Its distribution is on coastal mountains from Mt Warning in the

south to Mt Byron (north-west of Brisbane) in the north (Queensland

Herbarium records). The Mt Warning ecotype is typical of the species, except

that the indumentum of the upper leaf surface is relatively sparse, resulting

in green or grey-green appearance, rather than the usual grey or silvery-grey.

The original (incorrect) identification in 1996 was based on a sprig of fresh

leaves; however, this amended record was determined from a flowering

pressed specimen, highlighting the importance of reproductive structures for

accurate plant identification. This voucher specimen is to be lodged at the

Queensland Herbarium. Elsewhere, H. byzos has been recorded feeding on

another member of Sterculiaceae, viz. Commersonia fraseri J. Gay, while the

closely related H. pythias C. & R. Felder feeds on the congeneric C.

bartramia (L.) Merr. (Braby 2000).

114 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

Discussion

It is important that erroneous records, when discovered, are formally

corrected in the literature so that incorrect information is not perpetuated or

used to effect misleading conclusions. Accurate larval food plant data are

important from an evolutionary perspective when interpreting plesiomorphic

or apomorphic character states, host shifts, or phylogeographic patterns. For

example, it is likely that H. pythias is ancestral to H. byzos, since the former

has a wider distribution, a greater number of subspecies and a more closely

related sister species, H. gemminatus Sands (Sands 1986). Examination of

larval food plant records in relation to this hypothetical arrangement suggests

that the speciation of H. byzos may have coincided with a host shift from

Sterculiaceae to Rhamnaceae, and that the population of H. byzos on Mt

Warning may therefore represent a reversion to the ancestral larval food

plant. The interpretation of such a character reversion would be incompatible

with the record of A. longifolia. Accurate records of plant predator fauna

also may provide useful phytogeographic data or be important for

` determining potential biological control agents. Finally, larval food plant

records may be used as predictive tools when assessing a species’

geographical distribution. Hence, accurate larval host plant information is

essential for the development of informed conservation strategies for

threatened species.

Acknowledgements

We thank Glenn Leiper, Frank Jordan and John St. Ledger Moss for their

interest and helpful advice.

References

BRABY, M.F. 2000. Butterflies of Australia: their identification, biology and distribution. CSIRO

Publishing, Collingwood; xx + 976 pp.

EASTWOOD, R. 1997. An interesting local form and new larval hostplant of Hypochrysops byzos

(Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Australian Entomologist 24(1): 37-38.

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

Lycaenidae). Entomonograph 7: 1-116.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 115-118 115

FEEDING BY KAHAONO LEAFHOPPERS IN SILKEN SHELTERS

(HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE: TYPHLOCYBINAE:

DIKRANEURINI)

MURRAY J. FLETCHER' and DEBORAH S. KENT?

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

“Research & Development Division, State Forests of NSW, PO Box 100, Beecroft, NSW 2119

Abstract

Adults and nymphs of the leafhopper Kahaono montana Evans have been observed feeding beneath

a silken web or tent attached to the host leaf. Feeding by the leafhoppers is confined to the limits of

the tent. Beads of liquid excrement catch on the tent to form a layer that may provide camouflage

over the feeding insects. Possible benefits of this feeding behaviour are discussed.

Introduction

Cicadellid leafhoppers of the subfamily Typhlocybinae are parenchyma

feeders and feed almost exclusively on the epidermal cells of leaves. Of the

six typhlocybine tribes, four are known to occur in Australia (Fletcher and

Larivière 2001). The tribe Dikraneurini is represented in Australia by four

genera, three of which are endemic and exclusively restricted to host plants

in the genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Aneono Kirkaldy, Kahaono Kirkaldy

and Dziwneono Dworakowska are all flattened dorsoventrally and adapted to

fit closely to the vertical leaves typical of plants in this genus. Many of the

species in these genera are brightly coloured with red and green being

common.

Observations

In July and August 1987, individuals of Kahaono montana Evans (Fig. 1)

were found at Seven Hills, in the western suburbs of Sydney, feeding under

circular structures or tents made of fine silken webbing fastened to the leaf

around the perimeter of the structure. The host tree was an unidentified

species of Eucalyptus. This observation was first reported by Day and

Fletcher (1994), who provided little detail. Adults and nymphs, as well as

cast skins, were found under the web and feeding damage caused by the

leafhoppers was restricted to the area of the leaf covered by the tent (Fig. 2).

The tent was decorated by small globules of excrement presumably ejected

by the leafhoppers as they fed and these turned black through the growth of

sooty moulds (visible in Fig. 1). In some cases, the amount of excrement on

the web was sufficient for the globules to run together to form a continuous

covering over the leafhoppers (Fig. 4).

In February 2001, further observations of the same species of leafhopper,

feeding under similar structures, were made at two State Forests of NSW

eucalyptus plantations on the north coast of New South Wales. At the first

plantation, located near Dorrigo, the species was feeding on 3 year old

Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden, while at the second plantation, near Urbenville,

116 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

the host species was E. grandis Hill ex Maiden. Feeding damage by the

leafhoppers was again restricted to the leaf area covered by the tents, which

were always found on the abaxial surface of the leaf. The damage symptoms

were observed as chlorotic patches which then darkened to a reddish hue as

feeding continued. In all cases, globules of excrement, discoloured to black,

were caught in the webbing. A tent from the Dorrigo population is shown in

Fig. 3. The number of trees affected by the leafhopper was small and damage

was restricted to isolated patches within the plantations.

Discussion

This behaviour has not been observed in other species of leafhoppers. Even

other species of Kahaono appear to have more typical feeding behaviour. In

March 1997, large numbers of K. wallacei Evans were found feeding on

eucalypt leaves in Orange Botanic Gardens (Fletcher, unpubl. obs.). The large

numbers of leafhoppers caused sufficient discolouration of both surfaces of

the leaves to change the appearance of the tree dramatically but no evidence

of tents was observed on the damaged leaves. The feeding insects were

distributed generally over the abaxial leaf surface and resulting feeding

damage was not restricted in the manner shown for K. montana in Fig. 2.

It is unknown whether the tent is produced by the leafhoppers themselves or

is a product of some other organism which has been utilised by the

leafhoppers. However, observations of a number of tents showed that the only

inhabitants were leafhoppers. This contrasts with the observation by Bourgoin

and Wilson (1992) of a planthopper, Myndus chazeauxi Bourgoin & Wilson

(Hemiptera: Cixiidae), sheltering during the day in silken shelters in leaflet

hollows of palm fronds that were shared with the clubionid spiders that had

created the shelters. Other hemipteran groups use protective structures to

cover the feeding nymphs and, in some cases, adults. The lerps produced by

many Psyllidae are secreted by the nymphs for their protection and many

coccoids also produce a protective covering. However, these coverings are

waxy or chitinous in substance, whereas the tents of K. montana are clearly

silken and similar in texture to fine spiderweb.

It is important to note that the same species has been observed feeding under

such a structure on two separate occasions, 14 years apart, in three quite

distinct localities, while other species of the same genus have not been

associated with such behaviour. Since the feeding of the leafhoppers is

clearly restricted to the area under the tent only (Fig. 2), there is a definite

association between the leafhopper and the tent. Possible benefits of feeding

under such a structure could include camouflage, protection from parasites

and predators or protection from dehydration.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Alan Krikman (Seven Hills, Sydney) and Darren Waterson

(State Forests of NSW) for bringing these specimens to our attention.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 117

Figs 1-4. Kahaono montana leafhoppers and feeding tents. (1) Adult female (left) and

male feeding under globules of blackened excrement suspended on the tent; (2) Leaf

with tent folded back (to top left) to reveal feeding damage. Anchor points from the

tent can be seen to the right of the feeding area; (3) Leaf of Eucalyptus dunnii near

Dorrigo with webbing tent covering nymphs; (4) Tent on gumleaf with continuous

covering of excremental material.

118 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

The photographs were taken by Lowan Turton (NSW Agriculture) [Figs 1, 2,

4] and Angus Carnegie (State Forests of NSW) [Fig. 3]. Helpful comments

on the manuscript were provided by Angus Carnegie and John Macdonald

(NSW Agriculture).

References

BOURGOIN, T. and WILSON, M.R. 1992. A new species of Myndus (Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae)

from coconut palms in New Caledonia. Bulletin de la Societé Entomologique Suisse 65: 69-74.

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

(Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Invertebrate Taxonomy 8: 1117-1228.

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://www.agric.nsw.gov.awHort/ascu/start.htm

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 119-122 119

TWO GENERA OF MITES NEW TO THE AUSTRALIAN FAUNA

(ACARI: ACARIDAE)

R.B. HALLIDAY

CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601

Abstract

Mycetoglyphus fungivorus Oudemans is recorded from Australia for the first time. This species is

found in decaying organic matter but is also capable of damaging crop plants. Kuzinia laevis

(Dujardin) is recorded from Australia and New Zealand, in association with the introduced bumble

bee Bombus terrestris (L.), where it feeds on pollen.

Introduction

The documented Australian fauna of the mite family Acaridae includes 17

genera (Halliday 1998). Recent study of the Australian fauna has revealed

the presence in collections of specimens of a further two genera. The

purpose of this note is to provide details of these collections, so that the

genera concerned can be included in a larger study of the Australian

Astigmata that is currently in progress.

Mycetoglyphus fungivorus Oudemans

Material examined. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2 99, Nuriootpa, 12.x.1979, in worm

rearing container, B. Linke coll. (in South Australian Museum, Adelaide).

Comments. Mycetoglyphus fungivorus is a saprophytic mite that has been

found in mushroom culture, decaying vegetables, decaying wood debris,

beneath stacks of hay and straw and in the nests of moles and ants (Hughes

1976, Kazhdaya 1996). It also appears to be capable of occasionally

damaging crop plants (Nakao 1989). It has not been recorded from Australia

before, with previous records from England, USA, South Africa, former

USSR, Europe (Zakhvatkin 1941, Hughes 1976), China (Li 1999) and Japan

(Nakao 1989). The species may be recognised according to the description

and illustrations in Hughes (1976). M. fungivorus is now recorded from

Australia on the basis of the specimens detailed above.

Kuzinia laevis (Dujardin)

(Fig. 1)

Material examined. TASMANIA: 14 deutonymphs, North Hobart, 15.ii.1994, on

bumble bee, T. D. Semmens coll. (in Australian National Insect Collection, ANIC); 10

99, 3 00, Warra Long Term Ecological Research Site (Arve Valley, west of

Geeveston), 12.iv.2001, R. Buttermore coll. (ANIC). NEW ZEALAND. 3 99,

Hastings, Zonda Resources Ltd., 7.i.2000, in bumble bee breeding colonies, L. Rako

coll. (in New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Auckland). POLAND. 4 99, 2 d'O,

Poznan, 13.iii.1979, in lab culture, W. Chmielewski coll. (ANIC); 6 99, 3 0’0", Poznan,

14.vi.1973, W. Chmielewski (ANIC).

Comments. Kuzinia Zakhvatkin, 1941, is a small genus of about 8 species of

mites usually associated with bees (Delfinado and Baker 1976, Volgin 1978,

120 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

Putatunda et al. 1984). Most species are known only from the deutonymph

(hypopus) stage. The best known species is K. laevis (Dujardin), which

occurs in the nests of bumble bees in Europe, including Bombus terrestris

(L.), where it feeds on pollen (Zakhvatkin 1941, Chmielewski 1991). B.

terrestris first appeared in Australia (Tasmania) in 1992, where it appears to

have been accidentally introduced from New Zealand (Semmens et al. 1993),

and where it now appears to be well established (Semmens 1996). Its

commensal mite Kuzinia laevis is now recorded from Australia and New

Zealand for the first time. It appears that K. laevis was accidentally

introduced into both Australia and New Zealand from Europe in company

with B. terrestris.

Fig. 1. Kuzinia laevis, Tasmania, dorsum of female. Scale bar = 100 um.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 121

Deutonymphs of K. laevis from Tasmania were identified from the

descriptions and illustrations of Zakhvatkin (1941) and Delfinado and Baker

(1976). The adult female of Kuzinia may be distinguished from other genera

of Acaridae by its external vertical setae ve inserted slightly behind the level

of the internal verticals vi; internal scapular setae si clearly longer then

external scapulars se; dorsal idiosomal seta d/ displaced forward close to c/

and much longer than c/; c/ long enough to reach the base of d/; and all

dorsal idiosomal setae except c/ and c3 greatly elongated (Fig. 1; notation

after Griffiths et al. 1990). Kuzinia is also distinctive in having a longitudinal

ridge on the ventral surfaces of tarsi I and II (Fain 1986). Examined

specimens of K. laevis from Australia and New Zealand were found to be

indistinguishable from reference specimens from Poland.

Acknowledgements

I thank Zhi Qiang Zhang, Wit Chmielewski, Roger Buttermore, Owen

Seeman and Lynette Queale for access to the specimens reported in this study.

References

CHMIELEWSKI, W. 1991. The mite Kuzinia laevis from bumble bee nests - development and

oviposition on bee-collected pollen. Pszczelnicze Zeszyty Naukowe 35: 75-82.

DELFINADO, M.D. and BAKER, E.W. 1976. Notes on hypopi (Acarina) associated with bees and

wasps (Hymenoptera). Journal of the New York Entomological Society 84: 76-90.

FAIN, A. 1986. A new mite (Acari, Acaridae) from a nest of the paper wasp Paragia tricolor Smith

in Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 12: 407-413.

GRIFFITHS, D.A., ATYEO, W.T., NORTON, R.A. and LYNCH, C.A. 1990. The idiosomal

chaetotaxy of astigmatid mites. Journal of Zoology, London 220: 1-32.

HALLIDAY, R.B. 1998. Mites of Australia: a checklist and bibliography. CSIRO Publishing,

Melbourne; 317 pp.

HUGHES, A.M. 1976. The mites of stored food and houses. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office,

London; 400 pp.

KAZHDAYA, G.S. 1996. Some data on acaroid mites in Saarland (with description of variability

of Forcellinia diamesa, Acaroidea, Acariformes). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 75: 620-624.

LI, C.P. 1999. Preliminary study of the acaroid mites breeding in stored Chinese traditional

medicinal materials. Chinese Journal of Parasitic Disease Control 12: 72-73.

NAKAO, H. 1989. Studies on acarid mites injurious to vegetable plants (Acari: Astigmata) I.

Occurrence of damage to spinach by acarid mites. Bulletin of Hokkaido Prefectural Agricultural

Experiment Stations 59: 41-47.

PUTATUNDA, B.N., AGGARWAL, K. and KAPIL, R.P. 1984. Two new species of Kuzinia

(Acarina: Acaridae) associated with bees (Hymenoptera) from India. Indian Journal of Acarology

8: 57-62.

SEMMENS, T.D. 1996. Flower visitation by the bumble bee Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera:

Apidae) in Tasmania. Australian Entomologist 23: 33-35.

122 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

SEMMENS, T.D., TURNER, E. and BUTTERMORE, R. 1993. Bombus terrestris (L.)

(Hymenoptera: Apidae) now established in Tasmania. Journal of the Australian Entomological

Society 32: 346.

VOLGIN, V.I. 1978. A new genus and a new species of acaroid mites (Acariformes, Acaroidea).

Parazitologicheskii Sbornik 28: 47-52.

ZAKHVATKIN, A.A. 1941. Fauna of U.S.S.R. Arachnoidea. Vol. VI, No. 1. Tyroglyphoidea

[Acari]. Zoological Institute of the Academy of Science of the U.S.S.R, Moscow. (1959 Translation

by the American Institute of Biological Sciences; 573 pp.).

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 123-126 123

NEW RECORDS OF DACINAE (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

FROM NORTHERN QUEENSLAND AND TORRES STRAIT,

AUSTRALIA

K.A. HUXHAM! and D.L. HANCOCK?

"Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, PO Box 1054, Mareeba, Qld 4880

PO Box 2464, Cairns, Qld 4870

Abstract

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) abdonigella (Drew), B. (B.) abundans Drew, B. (B.) curreyi Drew,

B. (B.) furvilineata Drew, B. (B.) lineata (Perkins), B. (B.) repanda Drew, B. (B.) trifaria (Drew),

B. (B.) vulgaris Drew and B. (Zeugodacus) macrovittata Drew are newly recorded from Australia

(Torres Strait, Queensland). Distributional notes on seven other species in northern Queensland are

included. Male lure records are newly provided for B. (B.) daruensis Drew [methyl eugenol] and B.

(B.) repanda [cue lure].

Introduction

Hancock et al. (2000) provided an updated list of the distribution and host

plants of the 101 species of Dacinae then known from Australia, although a

record of Bactrocera (Bactrocera) daruensis Drew from Murray Island

(Drew 1989) was overlooked. Furthermore, previous records of B. (B.)

pseudodistincta (Drew) and B. (B.) redunca (Drew) are almost certainly

based on misidentifications of B. (B.) furvilineata Drew and B. (B.) anfracta

Drew respectively. Continued monitoring of Torres Strait and Cape York

Peninsula by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has

added a further nine species to the list, all infrequently collected on Torres

Strait islands. They are of no economic importance and may be identified

using Drew (1989). A total of 109 species is now recorded from Australia.

Range extensions are noted also for a further seven species recorded

previously from Australia. In addition, an undescribed species, similar in

appearance to B. aurea (May), is known from Boigu and Saibai Islands in

northern Torres Strait.

Voucher specimens from Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula are lodged

in the AQIS Collection, Mareeba. Others are in the Queensland Department

of Primary Industries, Cairns.

New Australian records

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) abdonigella (Drew)

Recorded sporadically from Boigu (8 O70", 27.11.1997, 6.1.2000, 11.xii.2001,

8.1.2002 & 5.iii.2002), Dauan (5 070%, 27.xi.1997, 22.iv.1999, 6.v.1999 &

12.ix.2000), Saibai (11 070%, 11.11.1998, 26.11.1998, 22.iv.1999, 2.xii.1999,

6.1.2000, 12.ix.2000, 14.xi.2000, 6.xi.2001, 10.xii.2001 & 5.ii.2002),

Dalrymple (3 d'o, 6.1.1997 & 20.iv.1999) and Yam (1 O”, 21.iv.1999)

Islands in northern Torres Strait. Previously known only from Papua New

Guinea (Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

124 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) abundans Drew

Recorded once each from Boigu (2 do”, 16.xii.1999) and Saibai (1 O”,

6.1.2000) Islands in northern Torres Strait. Previously known only from

Papua New Guinea (Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) curreyi Drew

Recorded once from Dalrymple Island in northeastern Torres Strait (1 O”,

14.ix.2000). Previously known only from Papua New Guinea and West

Papua [formerly Irian Jaya] (Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) furvilineata Drew

Recorded sporadically from Saibai (28 o, 27.xi.1997, 15.1.1998,

11.xi.1998, 14.xi.2000, 9.i.2001 & 6.iii.2001), Boigu (4 00”, 14.xi.2000 &

10.vii.2001) and Dauan (15 ogg, 31.x.1996, 25.xi.1996, 27.xi.1997,

10.xii.1997, 19.x.2000, 14.xi.2000 & 7.xii.2000) Islands in northern Torres

Strait. Also recorded once from Horn Island in southern Torres Strait (1 O”,

20.11.2001). Previous records of B. (B.) pseudodistincta (Drew) from the

above islands plus Yam in northern Torres Strait (Drew 1989, Hancock et al.

2000) appear to be misidentifications of B. (B.) furvilineata. Previously

known only from Papua New Guinea (Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) lineata (Perkins)

Recorded once from Dauan Island in northern Torres Strait (1 ©,

25.11.2000). Previously known only from Papua New Guinea (Drew 1989).

Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) repanda Drew

Recorded sporadically from Dauan (6 oo”, 26.viii.1996, 20.xii.1996,

14.1.1997, 6.vi.1997 & 21.1.2001), Saibai (2 og, 26.viii.1996 &

19.xii.2000), Boigu (2 d'9, 7.1.1999 & 6.v.1999) and Stephen (1 ©,

16.11.1999) Islands in northern Torres Strait. Previously known only from

Papua New Guinea (Drew 1989). All were collected at cue lure, the first lure

record for this species.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) trifaria (Drew)

Recorded once from Dauan Island in northern Torres Strait (1 O,

13.x.1997). Previously known only from New Britain, Papua New Guinea

(Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) vulgaris (Drew)

Recorded once from Warraber (Sue) Island in central Torres Strait (1 O”,

27.1.1998). Previously known only from Papua New Guinea (Drew 1989).

Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) macrovittata Drew

Recorded twice from Saibai Island in northern Torres Strait (2 d'O,

7.xii.2000 & 20.11.2001). Previously known only from Papua New Guinea

(Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 125

Other records

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) batemani Drew

Specimens from the Atherton Tableland and Iron Range (in QDPI Cairns)

appear to belong here and extend the range of this species north from

Mackay. Collected at methyl eugenol.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) daruensis Drew

Recorded sporadically from Mer (Murray) Island in eastern Torres Strait (9

O, 30.xi.1999, 7 & 21.11.2002) and once from Roma Flats, near Bamaga,

Cape York (1 0%, 18.ii.2002). Previously recorded from Murray I. by Drew

(1989) but overlooked by Hancock et al. (2000). All were collected at methyl

eugenol, the first lure record for this species.

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) recurrens (Hering)

Recorded from Stephen (1 O, 3.iii.1999) and Darnley (1 0%, 20.xii.2000)

Islands in northeastern Torres Strait. Previously recorded from Stephen I. by

Hancock et al. (2000). Collected at cue lure.

Bactrocera (Javadacus) aberrans (Hardy)

A male from Dauan Island (12.x.2001) is the first record for Torres Strait.

Collected at cue lure. Previously known from eastern Queensland, as far

north as Atherton and Cairns (Drew 1989).

Bactrocera (Sinodacus) salamander (Drew & Hancock)

Recorded from Deliverance Island (2 070’, 26.ii.1999) in northwestern

Torres Strait and Thursday Island (2 00", 4.vi.1998 & 9.ii.2001) in southern

Torres Strait. Also recorded from Bamaga, Umagico, Injinoo and New

Mapoon, northern Cape York Peninsula (40 00°). Previously known only

from Bamaga (Drew 1989). Collected at cue lure.

Dacus (Dacus) secamoneae Drew

A male from Umagico, Cape York has the postpronotal lobe about half

yellow and half fuscous, intermediate between Northern Territory specimens

and the female from Chillagoe recorded by Drew er al. (1999). Males respond

weakly to cue lure.

Dacus (Didacus) hardyi Drew

The distribution of this species is extended south from Lockhart River (mid

Cape York Peninsula) to Port Douglas and Cairns (specimens in QDPI

Cairns). Collected at cue lure.

Acknowledgements

We thank Judy Grimshaw, Kylie Anderson and the Torres Strait staff of the

Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy for their contributions to this study.

References

DREW, R.A.I. 1989. The tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) of the Australasian and

Oceanian Regions. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 26: 1-521.

126 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

DREW, R.A.I., HANCOCK, D.L. and ROMIG, M.C. 1999. New species and records of fruit flies

(Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) from north Queensland. Australian Entomologist 26(1): 1-12.

HANCOCK, D.L., HAMACEK, E.L., LLOYD, A.C. and ELSON-HARRIS, M.M. 2000. The

distribution and host plants of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia. Information Series

Q199067, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane; iii + 75 pp.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 127-128 127

BOOK REVIEW

Fauna Malesiana Handbooks, Volume 3. The families of Malesian moths and

butterflies, by Jeremy D. Holloway, Geoffrey Kibby and Djunijanti Peggie,

with contributions from David J. Carter and Scott E. Miller, and colour

plates photographed by Bernard D’Abrera. Published by Brill Academic

Publishers, The Netherlands, 2001; xii + 456 pp (with approximately 124

illustrations). ISBN 90 04 11846 2. Price US $145, EUR 118.

To the uninitiated (as I was), Malesia is the extremely complex

(entomologically) area stretching from Malaysia to the Solomons, but

excluding Australia. The aim of this book (foreword and acknowledgements)

is to provide an accessible first guide to the diversity of the Order

Lepidoptera found within Malesia. This aim is admirably met, but its appeal

extends much further than to students of this zoogeographic area alone.

Chapter 1, defined as the Introduction, pays limited but pertinent depth to the

classification and definition of the Lepidoptera. An inclusive section on

diversity and biogeography of Malesian Lepidoptera discusses areas of

interest — species richness and island areas, endemism and patterns of

distribution of higher taxa. Aspects of biology are presented, with references

to visual and chemical communication, sound reception and production, and

flight and migration. A section on collection and preservation of Lepidoptera

material, although admittedly brief, is extremely well presented and extends

to making and arranging a collection, genitalic preparation, and concludes

with available literature sources on Malesian Lepidoptera. A list is also

presented of reference collections in the various countries comprising

Malesia.

Chapter 2 addresses the morphology of adults, eggs, larvae and pupae of

Lepidoptera to a level that will allow the specialist to proceed to more

detailed accounts. To any students of the fauna of this region, this section is

extremely well presented and is an invaluable research tool.

Chapter 3 covers the identification of Lepidoptera families. An introduction

discusses the complexities and pitfalls in presenting keys to identification of

early stages of Lepidoptera, as well as adult stages, especially in such a

tropical environment. Family recognition by examination of wing venation,

sexing specimens, tympanal organs, head structures and legs, is presented. A

brief section on “Quick fixes” and other pertinent cautions adds merit to the

work.

This chapter presents a definitive key on families known from, or potentially

occurring in the Malesian area. This key in itself is a significant contribution

to the book. The identification of larvae is aided in a well presented guide to

visible external larval features, feeding or housing restrictions and other

biological criteria, such as ant interaction. Host plant specialisation addresses

128 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

respective plant groups and families, with a collative account of specialisation

of larvae feeding on individual angiosperm families.

Chapter 4 is the major component of the work and presents accounts of all

Malesian Lepidoptera families. It is a superb presentation, based on the

authors’ collective knowledge, and details some 178 pages of family analyses.

Eight well presented colour plates are good value.

A number of appendices then present comparison of species totals of various

lepidoptera groups in various regions, as well as a breakdown of number of

recorded species for Sphingidae and butterfly families in various parts of

Malesia. Appendix 4 presents data of pest species recorded from Malesia.

Appendix 5 presents a table of taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in

microlepidoptera presented in this handbook. An extensive list of reference

works utilised in the completion of this handbook demonstrates the depth of

dedication shown by the authors. An index to morphological and cladistic

terms precedes the index to lepidoptera names.

In summation, this handbook is extremely well presented, authoritative, and

will offer appeal to both amateur and professional entomologist alike. Its

appeal will also extend to anyone with an interest extending beyond the

Malesian area. From a personal level, I received much satisfaction in

randomly selecting one or two north Queensland moth specimens and

adequately keying their family classification, with considerable certainty.

While not the intention of this handbook, it clearly demonstrated the extended

potential and quality that the authors have achieved.

David Lane

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 129-136 129

MATING BEHAVIOUR OF GREYBACK AND GRATA CANE

BEETLES, DERMOLEPIDA ALBOHIRTUM (WATERHOUSE)

AND LEPIDIOTA GRATA BLACKBURN (COLEOPTERA:

SCARABAEIDAE)

D.P. LOGAN! and M.S. SALLAM?

"Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, PO Box 117, A yr, Qld 4807

(Current address: HortResearch, 412 No. 1 Road, RD2, Te Puke, New Zealand)

“Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, PO Box 566, Tully, Qld 4854

Abstract

Mating behaviour of greyback cane beetle, Dermolepida albohirtum (Waterhouse) and grata cane

beetle, Lepidiota grata Blackburn, is described and compared. Mating pairs of D. albohirtum were

observed within feeding aggregations in Ficus opposita and Acacia spp. during 4 hours from late

afternoon to early evening. Copulation by D. albohirtum lasted on average 12 minutes and was

preceded by the male resting piggy-back on the female and vibrating her body. Mating by L. grata

occurred during a 30 minute period in trees at dusk. Females of L. grata called by repeatedly

extending and retracting their ovipositor. Males appeared shortly after, flying upwind. Copulation

followed immediately a male mounted a female, and lasted on average 18 minutes. Any sex

pheromone produced by D. albohirtum may be active over a distance of less than 1 m, and may not

be useful for monitoring numbers. By comparison, the mating behaviour of L. grata is consistent

with a sex pheromone that acts over longer distances.

Introduction

Greyback canegrub, Dermolepida albohirtum (Waterhouse), is the most

important insect pest of sugarcane in northern Queensland from Mossman

(16°21'S, 145°15'E) to Sarina (21°22'S, 149°13'E). Since the mid-1990s, it

has been in outbreak numbers in the Burdekin region, centred on Ayr

(19°34'S, 147°24'E). It has an annual lifecycle, spent mainly as larvae in free-

draining soils. In the Burdekin, beetles can be observed in favoured feeding

trees (Ficus spp., Corymbia tesselaris, Acacia spp. and palms) between

October and January. Beetles fly and feed during the evening and night and

some beetles are also present during the day, resting in feeding trees.

Grata canegrub, Lepidiota grata Blackburn, is an occasional pest of

sugarcane in northern and central Queensland from Ingham (18°43'S,

146°10'E) to Gin Gin (25°00'S, 151°58'E). Its life cycle is 1 or 2 years

depending on field conditions (Chandler and Chapman 1989). Each year in

the Burdekin, adults fly and feed in eucalypts, particularly Eucalyptus

tereticornis, during the evening and night during late spring and summer.

Many scarabs use pheromones to facilitate mate location (Leal 1998).

Allsopp (1993) showed that unmated females of the canegrubs Antitrogus

consanguineus (Blackburn), A. parvulus Britton and Lepidiota picticollis

Lea probably use pheromones to attract males. The identification and

isolation of pheromones may provide the basis for monitoring and

management tools for cane beetles. Collection, isolation and field-testing of

putative pheromones of cane beetles are aided by an understanding of their

mating behaviour. Knowledge of the mating behaviour of D. albohirtum and

130 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

L. grata is limited. Mating by D. albohirtum has been observed during a 1

hour period in the evening in trees up to 5-7 m above ground (Illingworth and

Dodd 1921, Jarvis 1933). Illingworth and Dodd (1921) observed swarming

by L. grata at dusk followed by mating on vegetation from near ground level

up to 10 m above ground and copulation for one pair of L. grata took 35

minutes. Here we describe in more detail the mating behaviour of L. grata

and D. albohirtum.

Materials and Methods

The daily pattern of mating for D. albohirtum was determined by counting

mating pairs at four sites in the Burdekin for observation periods of 1.5 to

23.5 hours (Table 1). At site 1, pairs were counted at 15 minute intervals. A

thunderstorm prematurely ended counting and beetles were collected to

estimate the proportion of mated and non-mated beetles and males and

females in the feeding aggregation. A count of all beetles was made at sites 2-4

during the evening. Beetles were collected at site 2 on the day following the

observation of mating and were sexed. Two-by-two contingency tables were

used to test whether the sex ratio of beetles in the aggregation was different

to unity at sites 1 and 2. At site 4, the number of males resting on the back of

females (piggy-back pairs), a stage preceding copulation, was counted every

30 minutes.

Table 1. Site description and period of observation for feeding aggregations of D.

albohirtum in which mating was observed in our study. The proportion of D.

albohirtum observed mating was based on an estimate of the number of beetles at each

site after no further mating was observed.

Site. Site description Date and period of Pairs Proportion of

observation beetles mating in

aggregation

l Outer row of cane field, Burdekin 19 Nov 1999 32 0.06

Sugar Experiment Station 1700 — 1830

2 1 tree (Ficus opposita), 17-18 Nov 2000 41 0.04

Burdekin River bank 1515-0715

3 6 trees (1 Acacia cincinnata, 1-2 Dec 2000 40 0.08

4 A. mangium, | F. opposita), Ayr 1500 — 0130

golf course

4 7 trees (F. opposita), Haughton 8-9 Dec 2000 29 0.06

River bank 0900 — 0830

As adult L. grata are crepuscular and nocturnal, mating pairs and individuals

were counted during the late afternoon and evening. Pairs and individuals

were counted on a group of three small (< 3m tall) trees (Eucalyptus

tereticornis, Acacia cincinnata and Nauclea orientalis) on the Ayr golf

course from 1830 to 2100 hours on 22 January 2001. Counts were made for

five consecutive 15 minute intervals and then after 30 minutes and one hour.

Other occasional observations of L. grata behaviour were made between

2100 and 0100 hours and later in the morning from 0700 to 0800 hours.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 131

Females of both species (n = 35) were collected in copula, frozen and

dissected to determine ovarian status as an approximate estimate of age.

Females of D. albohirtum emerge with no ovarian development and must

feed for one to two weeks before oocytes are fully grown (D. Logan, unpubl.

obs.). Ovarian status at emergence by L. grata is not known. Development of

ovaries was scored as either with no fully grown oocytes or with some or all

oocytes fully grown. As feeding may be necessary before females can

produce pheromones, the hindgut of females was examined for evidence of

ingested plant matter.

Duration of copulation was determined with stop-watches for 15 pairs of D.

albohirtum and for 18 pairs of L. grata. Copulation times for D. albohirtum

and L. grata was compared by two-sample t test at P < 0.05. Pre-copulatory

behaviour was timed for seven pairs of D. albohirtum.

Results and Discussion

Mating behaviour of D. albohirtum

Mating by D. albohirtum occurred during 4 hours from the late afternoon to

early evening (Fig. 1), much longer than the 1 hour period found by

Illingworth and Dodd (1921). No swarming by males was observed. Instead,

mating by D. albohirtum occurred amongst aggregations of feeding beetles.

Mating pairs were observed hanging from leaves or branches from < 0.5 m to

4 m above the ground. We observed pre-copulatory behaviour that involved a

male resting piggy-back on a female for up to two hours (Fig. 2a) and often

vibrating his body and hers. Vibration occurred without leverage from

adjacent branches or leaves. Between and during vibration events, the male

was often perched forward on the female with antennal club segments fanned

and may have been palpating the female’s head. The male extended his

aedeagus (Fig 2b) before successful intromission took place (Fig. 2c). The

male remained in this position (Fig. 2c) relatively briefly (mean time in

minutes + SD = 2.51 + 0.79, n= 7, range = 1.66 — 3.90) prior to leaning back

and hanging upside down (Fig. 2d) often held only by the aedeagus. On

average, males remained hanging upside down for 12.04 minutes (SD = 3.29,

n= 15, range = 6.03 — 16.53). Some unsuccessful pairings were observed in

which the piggy-back male vibrated the female and extended and retracted his

aedeagus one or more times, but never achieved intromission. At site 4, the

number of piggy-back pairs increased in the afternoon prior to the formation

of mating pairs (Fig. 2d). Some pairs remained as piggy-back pairs for at least

two hours before mating or moving apart. One piggy-back pair at site 4 mated at

1730 hours after being first observed at 1100 hours and marked with liquid

paper. Within aggregations of D. albohirtum, there were few occasions when

any movement to form pairs was seen. This was generally a flight of less

than | m by a male to a female. Thus, any sex pheromones released by females

of D. albohirtum may be most active over short distances.

132 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

2 Site 1. 19-20 Nov 1999

D —O— mating pairs

fe)

Site 2. 17-18 Nov 2000

—0— mating pairs

No. mating pairs

Site 3. 1-2 Dec 2000

—0— mating pairs

No. mating pairs

Site 4. 8-9 Dec 2000

— piggy-back pairs

—o— mating pairs

No. pairs

Time

Fig. 1. Time of mating for D. albohirtum at four sites in the Burdekin.

Most females (80%) collected during mating had food in their hindguts,

consistent with being part of a feeding aggregation. Most mated females

(66%) had no fully developed oocytes indicating they may have recently

emerged. The sex ratio of beetles in the aggregation at site 1 was unity (two

by two contingency test, x? = 0.11, P = 0.74, n = 166) and at site 2 was

female-biased (x? = 4.87, P = 0.03, n = 159, 62% females). A very small

proportion of beetles in feeding aggregations mated at each site on any one

night (Table 1).

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 133

Fig. 2. Sequence of mating behaviour for D. albohirtum. (A) Male D. albohirtum

crawls onto the back of female and vibrates female; (B) Male extends aedeagus and (C)

intromits; (D) After several minutes, male hangs backwards and remains in this position

for 6-16 minutes.

Mating behaviour of L. grata

Mate location by male L. grata was consistent with the release of pheromones

by females. Beetles of L. grata appeared in flight shortly after sunset.

Females landed usually at least 1 m above ground level on tree trunks,

branches and leaves of a variety of trees and shrubs including Eucalyptus

spp., Acacia spp., and Melaleuca spp. Females began ‘calling’ immediately

by repeatedly extending and retracting their ovipositor (Fig. 3). One or more

males often arrived within a minute, flying upwind, landed on the female or

near her and crawled onto her back. The male immediately inserted his

aedeagus and fell back to hang upside down, as with D. albohirtum (Fig. 2d).

There was no pre-copulatory behaviour as with D. albohirtum. After insertion

of the aedeagus, other males on and near the mating pair or circling nearby

134 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

quickly dispersed. Mating took on average 18.08 minutes (SD = 3.19, n= 18,

range = 9.82 — 25.37), significantly longer than for D. albohirtum (T = 5.35,

df = 31, P < 0.0001), but shorter than the 35 minutes recorded for one pair

by Illingworth and Dodd (1921). If the male was not immediately successful

in mating, other males attempted to copulate with either the female or the

initial male, if he remained on her back. Many females called from the same

tree or shrub and a swarm of males was present during the 10 to 15 minute

period when mating pairs formed. No pairs remained 30 minutes after

swarming started (Fig. 4). Males often flew away immediately, but females

tended to remain longer. Mating pairs were only observed during 30 minutes

at dusk (Fig. 4). After mating, beetles were seen feeding on trees (especially

Eucalyptus tereticornis) (Fig. 4) until at least 0100 hours. No beetles were

present after 0700 hours, probably having returned to the soil where they

spend the day.

Fig. 3. Behaviour of female L. grata immediately prior to mating. (A) Female lands on

branch and (B) starts to repeatedly extrude and retract her ovipositor (ovi).

In contrast to mated females of D. albohirtum, most females (91%) of L.

grata collected while mating, had not fed. Most females (77%) had some or

all of their oocytes fully grown. Feeding may not be necessary to develop

oocytes or for the production of pheromones in L. grata. Females of L.

negatoria Blackburn emerging from the soil for the first time have some of

their oocytes fully grown and often mate on the same night (Logan 2000).

Females of L. grata may have a similar behaviour, mating on their first night

of emergence.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 135

Number

—o— Mating pairs

—o— Single beetles

on trees

6.30 pm 7.00pm 7.30 pm 8.00 pm 9.00 pi

Time (22 Jan 2001)

Fig. 4. Time of mating for L. grata and number of beetles feeding in a group of three

trees at one site in the Burdekin.

Comparison of mating behaviour

Mating behaviour of L. grata is similar to that of the cane beetles Lepidiota

spp. and A. parvulus (Illingworth and Dodd 1921, Logan 2000, K. Chandler,

pers. comm.). Males of Lepidiota spp. and A. parvulus swarm around a

female prior to mating and are probably attracted by a pheromone (Allsopp

1993). Swarming and mating occurs during 30 minutes at dusk.

Mating behaviour in D. albohirtum is unusual in comparison with other cane

beetles. Copulation is more rapid than for L. grata, L. negatoria (about 20

minutes: Logan 2000) and L. frenchi Blackburn (20-29 minutes: Illingworth

and Dodd 1921). Mating may occur sometime during a four hour period

from the late afternoon to early evening, rather than during the brief period

following the evening emergence of other cane beetles. Many females of D.

albohirtum have fed prior to mating; as far as is known, other cane beetles

mate before feeding (Logan 2000). The tendency for D. albohirtum to form

piggy-back pairs is unknown for other cane beetles. However, piggy-back

pairs occur in feeding aggregations of the rutelines Anoplognathus porosus

(Dalman), A. boisduvalii Boisduval and Popillia japonica Newman, which

remain as pairs for up to two hours after copulation (Barrows and Gordh

1978). Mounting in D. albohirtum precedes mating and may be prompted by

a sex pheromone released by females.

136 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

Aggregation in feeding trees by D. albohirtum may be due to plant volatiles

released from leaves during feeding. The forest cockchafer Melolontha

hippocastani F. was attracted to mechanically damaged leaves of two

favoured feeding trees and a non-host tree and a synthetic mix of green leaf

volatiles (Ruther et al. 2000). Male M. hippocastani were also attracted to

extracts washed from unmated females. Ruther et al. (2000) concluded that

males used volatiles released from leaves damaged during feeding as well as

volatiles released from females in order to facilitate mate location. Males of

D. albohirtum may use a similar mechanism to locate females. Sex

pheromones or other sex-specific volatiles from females may have a limited

range and thus are unlikely to be useful for monitoring numbers of D.

albohirtum. By comparison, females of L. grata release a pheromone that is

active over a relatively wide area and may be useful for monitoring or

trapping beetles.

Acknowledgements

Staff at the Queensland Herbarium identified the species of Acacia at the

Ayr golf course on which D. albohirtum were feeding and mating. Sunset

times for Ayr were from the website of the Australian Surveying and Land

information group, Department of Industry, Science and Resources

(www.auslig.gov.au). Peter Allsopp made some useful comments on the

draft manuscript.

References

ALLSOPP, P.G. 1993. Evidence for sex attraction in three species of Australian canegrub beetles

(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae). Coleopterists Bulletin 47: 51-52.

BARROWS, E.M. and GORDH, G. 1978. Sexual behaviour in the Japanese beetle, Popillia

Japonica, and comparative notes on sexual behavior of other scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Behavioral Biology 23: 341-354.

CHANDLER, K.J. and CHAPMAN, F.L. 1989. Notes on the life cycle and pest status of Lepidiota

squamulata Waterhouse and Lepidiota grata Blackburn (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) in

Queensland sugarcane. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 11:

100-105.

ILLINGWORTH, J.F. and DODD, A.P. 1921. Australian sugar-cane beetles and their allies. Bulletin,

Division of Entomology, Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Queensland 16: 1-104.

JARVIS, E. 1933. Monthly notes on the greyback canebeetle and its control. Farm Bulletin, Division of

Entomology, Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Queensland 9: 1-40.

LEAL, W.S. 1998. Chemical ecology of phytophagous scarab beetles. Annual Review of

Entomology 43: 39-61.

LOGAN, D.P. 2000. Biology of the canegrubs Antitrogus parvulus Britton and Lepidiota

negatoria Blackburn (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). PhD thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane;

390 pp.

RUTHER, J., REINECKE, A., THIEMANN, K., TOLASCH, T., FRANCKE, W. and HILKER,

M. 2000. Mate finding in the forest cockchafer, Melolontha hippocastani, mediated by volatiles

from plants and females. Physiological Entomology 25: 172-179.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4): 137-139 137

FIRST RECORDS FOR THE PAPERBARK CICADA CICADETTA

HACKERI (DISTANT) AND CICADETTA SPINOSA (GODING &

FROGGATT) (HEMIPTERA: CICADIDAE) FROM SYDNEY,

NEW SOUTH WALES

D.L. EMERY and S.J. EMERY

60 Minna St, Burwood, NSW 2134

Abstract

Cicadetta hackeri (Distant) and Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt) have been captured for the

first time in the Sydney metropolitan area. C. hackeri is well-established but very localised,

suggesting introduction, whereas evidence suggests that C. spinosa may have been resident in

western Sydney for some decades.

Introduction

The paperbark cicada, Cicadetta hackeri (Distant), has been recorded from

Bundaberg in southeastern Queensland to Port Stevens on the New South

Wales north coast (Moulds 1990). Throughout its range, it inhabits

paperbark or coastal teatree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), usually close to the

coastline (Moulds 1990). In contrast, Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt)

has an inland distribution, with records from the Roma, Rolleston and

Chinchilla regions of southern Queensland, through the Inverell, Narrabri

and Nandewar Range areas of inland northern New South Wales, to Hay and

northwestern Victoria (Moulds 1990). Adults are usually located high in

eucalypts, especially ironbarks (J. Moss, pers. comm.).

Sydney records

One singing C. hackeri was netted on 4 Nov 2000 (Fig. 1) from a large

paperbark bordering the roadway adjacent to the Killara golf course. A total

of 58. exuviae were also collected: 36 of these had the darkened abdominal

rings typical of C. hackeri, while the remainder were lighter and typical of

Cicadetta celis Moulds. After dusk on 11 Nov 2000, twelve cicadas emerging

on several paperbarks at the same location in Killara were collected and held

individually with exuviae. Seven were C. hackeri (3 OO", 4 99) and five were

C. celis (2.00, 3 99); exuviae matched the identity of the specimens.

On 11 Nov 2000, the rather strange “creaking” sound of C. spinosa was

heard twice only at a site along Luddenham Rd, St. Marys (J. Moss and S.

Emery, pers. obs.). On 19 Jan 2001, eight cicadas were observed emitting the

same sound at heights of 8-10 m in ironbark trees (Eucalyptus fibrosa and E.

siderophloia) amongst bushland close to the suburb of Llandilo in western

Sydney. Three males were captured in adjacent paperbarks on 24 Jan 2001

(Fig. 2), matching the photographs and descriptions in Moulds (1990).

Unfortunately, subsequent heavy rain obliterated the cohort. During later

visits to the location between 4-10 Feb 2001, two Urabunana daemeli Distant

(1 O”, 1 9; S. Emery) (Fig. 3) and three U. verna Distant (3 00; S. Emery)

(Fig. 4) were taken: recent records for both are rare in the Sydney region.

138 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

Figs 1-4. (1) Cicadetta hackeri; (2) C. spinosa; (3) Urabunana daemeli; (4) U. verna.

Scale: (1) 2 x natural size; (2) 1.5 x natural size; (3-4) 2.5 x natural size.

Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4) 139

Discussion

Considering the limited distribution of both C. hackeri and Melaleuca

quinquenervia around the streets bordering the Killara golf course, it is

possible that the cicada was introduced as eggs or larvae with host plants. The

population is well established as evidenced by the quantity of exuviae and

readily coexists with C. celis on the same host trees. While the population of

C. hackeri appears geographically isolated by the extent of the paperbarks,

C. celis is widespread in Melaleuca and Leptospermum trees and shrubs in

the Sydney region. This record from Killara extends the distribution of C.

hackeri around 150 km further south from its previous limit at Port Stevens.

Given the large numbers of C. spinosa and its presumptive presence at St

Marys and Llandilo (ca 20 km linear distance apart), it is also highly likely

that this species has been present in the region for some time. Both a visual

sighting and song identification of this species occurred on 24 Dec 1982 at

McGrath’s Hill, close to the current location, but a specimen was not

captured (J. Moss, pers. comm.). Additional evidence that the population of

C. spinosa has remained undetected since 1982 is provided by the capture of

both U. daemeli and U. verna at the same location. These species also have

no records from the Sydney region for over two decades; the most recent

records were at Hornsby Heights (1 0%, 10 Jan 1970; 2 00, 25 Nov 1971, J.

Moss) and Terrey Hills (1 O”, 7 Dec 1997, N. Emery) (U. daemeli) and in the

Casula-Blacktown area (2 070%, 2 99, 10 Jan 1970, J. Moss) (U. verna). As

well as providing the first specimens of C. spinosa from the Sydney region,

the records are the first recorded east of the Great Dividing Range in New

South Wales for this species (see Moulds 1990). An additional six specimens

(5 F, 1 9) were captured by the authors at the same location between 18 Jan

and 2 Feb 2002.

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr J. St-Leger Moss for records of C. spinosa and Urabunana

species in Sydney and David McClenaghan and Kate Smith, CSIRO

Entomology, for assistance with photography.

References

MOULDS, M.S. 1988. The status of Cicadetta and Melampsalta (Homptera: Cicadidae) in

Australia with the description of two new species. General and Applied Entomology 20: 39-48.

MOULDS, M.S. 1990. Australian cicadas. NSW University Press, Sydney; x + 217 pp.

140 Australian Entomologist, 2002, 29 (4)

RECENT ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE

CANTRELL, B., CHADWICK, B. and CAHILL, A.

2002 Fruit fly fighters: eradication of the papaya fruit fly. Scarm Report 81. CSIRO

Publishing, Melbourne; viii + 200 pp + cd-rom.

EKREM, T.

2001 Diagnoses and immature stages of some Australian Tanytarsus van der Wulp (Diptera:

Chironomidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 312-325.

FREIDBERG, A.

2002 Systematics of Schistopterini (Diptera: Tephritidae: Tephritinae), with descriptions of new

genera and species. Systematic Entomology 27(1): 1-29.

HALLIDAY, R.B.

2001 Mesostigmatic mite fauna of Jenolan Caves, New South Wales (Acari: Mesostigmata).

Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 299-311.

2001 Systematics and biology of the Australian species of Balaustium van Heyden (Acari:

Erythraeidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 326-330.

KALLIES, A.

2001 New records and a revised checklist of the Australian clearwing moths (Lepidoptera:

Sesiidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 342-348.

LOGAN, D.P., ALLSOP, P.G. and ZALUCKI, M.P.

2001 Effect of body size on fecundity of Childers canegrub, Antitrogus parvulus Britton

(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 365-370.

MOUND, L.A. and TERRY, I.

2001 Pollination of the central Australian cycad, Macrozamia macdonnellii, by a new species of

basal clade thrips (Thysanoptera). /nternational Journal of Plant Sciences 162: 147-154.

MOUND, L.A. and WANG, C.-L.

2000 The genus Anascirtothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), from leaves of Ficus trees in India,

Taiwan and Australia. Chinese Journal of Entomology 29: 327-333.

ORR, A.G.

2002 The sphragis of Heteronympha penelope Waterhouse (Lepidoptera: Satyridae): its

structure, formation and role in sperm guarding. Journal of Natural History 36: 185-196.

PIELOOR, M.J. and SEYMOUR, J.E.

2001 Factors affecting adult diapause initiation in the tropical butterfly Hypolimnas bolina L.

(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40(4): 376-379.

SANDS, D.P.A.

2002 = Aristolochia tagala Chamisso, a synonym of A. acuminata Lamarck, and common food

plant for Australian papilionid butterflies. News Bulletin of the Entomological Society of

Queensland (2001) 29(9): 217.

WALLMAN, J.F.

2001 A key to the adults of species of blowflies in southern Australia known or suspected to

breed in carrion. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 15(4): 433-437.

WILLIAMS, G., ADAMS, P. and MOUND, L.A.

2001 Thrips (Thysanoptera) pollination in Australian subtropical rainforests, with particular

reference to pollination of Wilkiea huegeliana (Monimiaceae). Journal of Natural History

35: 1-21.

THE

AUSTRALIAN

ENTOMOLOGIST

VOLUME 29

2002

Published by:

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND

THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

Contents

Volume 29, 2002

ATKINS, A., WILLIAMS, A.A.E. and WILLIAMS, M.R.

Exometoeca nycteris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae):

life history and morphological studies

BASHFORD, R.

The insect fauna inhabiting Uromycladium (Uredinales) rust galls on

silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) in Tasmania

EASTWOOD, R. and BEAN, A.R.

Correcting erroneous larval food plant records: the case of Hypochrysops

byzos (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

EMERY, D.L. and EMERY, S.J.

First record of the paperbark cicada Cicadetta hackeri (Distant) and

Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from

Sydney, New South Wales

FLETCHER, M.J.

A new species of Siphanta Stàl from Western Australia and notes on

other species of the genus (Hemiptera: Flatidae)

FLETCHER, M.J. and KENT, D.S.

Feeding by Kahaono leafhoppers in silken shelters (Hemiptera:

Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Dikraneurini)

FOLEY, D.H.

Name changes to Australasian Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

HALLIDAY, R.B.

Two genera of mites new to the Australian fauna (Acari: Acaridae)

HANCOCK, D.L.

A note on the biology of Termitorioxa termitoxena (Bezzi) (Diptera:

Tephritidae)

HUXHAM, K.A. and HANCOCK, D.L.

New records of Dacinae (Diptera: Tephritidae) from northern Queensland

and Torres Strait, Australia

KAY, LR.

Parasitism of Eysarcoris trimaculatus (Distant) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

by two tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae)

LOGAN, D.P. and SALLAM, M.S.

Mating behaviour of greyback and grata cane beetles, Dermolepida albohirtum

(Waterhouse) and Lepidiota grata Blackburn (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

iii

113

119

123

129

MOUND, L.A.

Thrips and their host plants: new Australian records (Thysanoptera:

Terebrantia) 49

MOUND, 1.A., RITCHIE, S. and KING, J.

Thrips (Thysanoptera) as a public nuisance: a Queensland case study and

overview, with comments on host plant relationships 25

MULLER, C.J.

New butterfly taxa from New Ireland, Papua New Guinea (Lepidoptera:

Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae) 29

SAMSON, P.R.

The early immature stages of Hypochrysops elgneri barnardi Waterhouse

and H. hippuris nebulosis Sands (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) 103

SCHMIDT, D.

Notes on ant-lycaenid associations (Hymenoptera: Formicidae and

Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in southeast Queensland 61

SCHMIDT, D. and RICE, S.

Lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) of Brisbane: new host

plant records and life history notes 37

SHORT, M.W., SCHMIDT, S. and LUKACS, Z.

Parasitisation rates of some parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

of the autumn gum moth (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) 69

TENNENT, W.J.

Euploea butterflies of the remote Santa Cruz Islands (Temotu Province,

Solomon Islands): names, phenotypes and distribution (Lepidoptera:

Nymphalidae: Danainae) 73

TENNENT, W.J.

A striking new subspecies of Hypolimnas pithoeka Kirsch (Lepidoptera:

Nymphalidae) from the Torres Islands, northern Vanuatu 107

RECENT LITERATURE 47, 80, 112, 140

BOOK REVIEW 127

Publication dates: Part | (pp 1-48) 4 April 2002

Part 2 (pp 49-80) 21 June 2002

Part 3 (pp 81-112) 20 September 2002

Part 4 (pp 113-140) 22 November 2002

NOTES FOR AUTHORS

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

THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 29, Part 4, 22 November 2002

REE

CONTENTS

EASTWOOD, R. and BEAN, A.R.

Correcting erroneous larval food plant records: the case of

Hypochrysops byzos (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

FLETCHER, M.J. and KENT, D.S.

Feeding by Kabaono leafhoppers in silken shelters (Hemiptera:

Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Dikraneurini).

HALLIDAY, R.B.

Two genera of mites new to the Australian fauna (Acari: Acaridae).

HUXHAM, K.A. and HANCOCK, D.L.

New records of Dacinae (Diptera: Tephritidae) from northern Queensland

and Torres Strait, Australia.

LOGAN, D.P. and SALLAM, M.S.

Mating behaviour of greyback and grata cane beetles, Dermolepida albohirtum

(Waterhouse) and Lepidiota grata Blackburn (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

EMERY, D.L. and EMERY, S.J.

First records for the paperbark cicada Cicadetta hackeri (Distant)

and Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

from Sydney, New South Wales.

RECENT ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE

BOOK REVIEW:

Fauna Malesiana Handbooks, Volume 3. The families of Malesian moths

and butterflies. J.D. Holloway, G. Kibby and D. Peggie

ISSN 1320 6133