THE AUSTRALIAN

ntomologist

published by

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND

Volume 32, Part 3, 15 September 2005

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ISSN 1320 6133

THE AŬSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

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Cover: The New Caledonian Aoupinia pseudohelea Matthews (Coleoptera:

Tenebrionidae) bears a striking resemblance to Australiafs pie-dish beetles of the

genus Helea. However it belongs to the unrelated Gondwanan tribe Adeliini. This

species is known only from the Aoupinie Special Fauna Reserve that straddles New

Caledoniais central mountain massiff between Poya and Ponerihouen. It is a cryptic

species living within rainforest leaf litter. Illustration by Geoff Thompson.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3): 97-110 97

A PHENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CICADAS (HEMIPTERA:

CICADIDAE) IN WESTERN SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES,

WITH NOTES ON PLANT ASSOCIATIONS

D.L. EMERY””, S.J. EMERY”, N.J. EMERY? and L.W. POPPLE?

"Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006

760 Minna Street, Burwood, NSW 2134

?Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072

Abstract

Emergence patterns and temporal occurrence of 29 species of cicadas in three areas of western

Sydney bushland are documented from surveys over eight consecutive seasons from September

1996 to May 2004. Sites were inhabited by 11-17 species, with nine undescribed species

illustrated. Seasonal fluctuations in emergence patterns were generally dependent on the species

and climate, with smaller, early emerging species persisting from October to December, larger

species emerging in November and December and additional small species emerging during

January and February. The annual numbers of the early emerging species suggest cyclical

patterns of three to four years. Cicadetta celis Moulds was the first species to appear each year,

emerging in September, while Psaltoda plaga (Walker) was the last, regularly persisting until

May each season. Nearly half the cicada species inhabited Eucalyptus mollucana, especially the

larger species, and most were associated with other Myrtaceae or Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae).

Smaller species in the genus Urabunana Distant preferred shrubs and grasses.

Introduction

Western Sydney bushland extends from the inland northern suburbs around

Hornsby on Hawkesbury sandstone, south over the Cumberland Lowlands to

Camden and west of Parramatta to the Nepean River. Only remnants of the

original Cumberland Plain woodland remain. Most of the cicada fauna of the

Sydney Basin has been documented (Moulds 1990), but less is known about

seasonal emergence patterns among the species and their food plant

associations and preferences.

This study was undertaken to highlight the cicada biodiversity in western

Sydney bushland from three sites that are >5 km inland. The selected sites

were chosen because they contained more than ten hectares of relatively

undisturbed bushland in different regions of the Sydney Basin that included

the different vegetational types associated with the Cumberland Lowlands,

Hornsby Plateau and the western extremity of the Wianamatta Shale near the

Nepean river. This excluded several Sydney coastal cicada species such as

Arunta perulata (Guérin-Méneville), Cicadetta arenaria (Distant), C. hackeri

(Distant), C. hunterorum (Moulds) and Pauropsalta aktites Ewart. Twenty-

nine cicada species were recorded and distinct temporal patterns of seasonal

emergence were observed.

All cicada species dealt with in this study were documented by Moulds

(1990) or Moss and Popple (2000), with the exception of nine undescribed

species that are reported using the Taxon Numbering System (TNS) of Moss

and Popple (2000). These are illustrated in Figs 1-9.

98 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Figs 1-3. Undescribed cicadas taken during the current study (males left, females

right). (1) the Ferny Acacia Cicada, Cicadetta sp. nr adelaida 214; (2) the Montane

Grass Buzzer, Notopsalta sp. nr atrata; (3) the Western Sydney Ambertail, Cicadetta

sp. nr celis 480.

Methods

Three sites within the Sydney basin were selected for this study: (A) Prospect

Reservoir Conservation Area (33?49'S, 150?53'E; ca 600 ha) in the

Cumberland Lowlands, (B) Castlereagh Nature Reserve (33°40’S, 150°45’E;

492 ha) at the western extremity of the Wianamatta shale and (C) Kinka

Reserve, Terrey Hills (33°40’S, 151?13'E; 10 ha) in the Hornsby Plateau.

Each site was visited at least once per month from September to May the

following year, commencing in September 1996 and concluding in May

2004. Specimens were collected by light trapping and by hand. Subsequently,

aural and visual observations of cicadas and their exuviae were used to

confirm their presence and provide an approximate estimate of abundance.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 99

Figs 4-6. Undescribed cicadas taken during the current study (males left, females

right). (4) the Varied Ambertail, Cicadetta sp. nr tristrigata 486; (5) the Brown

Firetail, Cicadetta sp. nr denisoni 509; (6) the Red Ringer, Cicadetta sp. nr

abdominalis 512.

The vegetation of Prospect Reservoir comprises remnant Cumberland forest

woodland on Wianamatta shale soils (Howell and Benson 2000). The

dominant trees are grey box (Eucalyptus moluccana) and forest red gum (E.

tereticornis) with occasional stands of broad-leafed red ironbark (E. fibrosa).

The understorey contains hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa), native indigo

(Indigofera australis) with wattle (Acacia falcata and A. falciformis) and

Bursaria spinosa, with exotic African olive (Olea europaea var. africana) on

the periphery (Howell and Benson 2000). The bushland is periodically

burned by fires.

100 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Figs 7-9. Undescribed cicadas taken during the current study (males left, females

right). (7) the Southern Bark Squeaker, Pauropsalta sp. nr corticinus 422; (8) the

Sandstone Squeaker, Pauropsalta sp. nr collina 417; (9) the Southern Red-eyed

Squeaker, Pauropsalta sp. nr annulata.

The native flora of Castlereagh Nature Reserve includes ironbark forest,

scribbly gum woodland and swamp woodland (Benson and Howell 1990).

The ironbark forest is dominated by Eucalyptus fibrosa, E. siderophloia and

paperbark (Melaleuca decora), together with E. moluccana in more open

areas and a range of understory shrubs to 1 m. The scribbly gum woodland

contains Eucalyptus sclerophylla and narrow-leaved apple (Angophora

bakeri), an understorey including Banksia spinulosa, Acacia elongata,

Hakea, Grevillea, Leptospermum and Melaleuca species and small clusters of

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 101

Allocasuarina glareicola (native she-oak). Eucalyptus parramattensis, E.

siderophloia and Melaleuca decora predominate in the swampy woodland

(Howell and Benson 2000). The southern third of the reserve was burnt out in

October 1999 and the fires of December 2002 burned through the entire

woodland.

The wooded area of Kinka Reserve contains white-trunked scribbly gum

(Eucalyptus haemostoma), stringybark (E. oblongata), brown bloodwood

(Corymbria gummifera) and isolated stands of Acacia glareicola. The

understorey is dominated by Hakea teretifolia, Acacia longifolia and Banksia

serrata (Benson and Howell 1990).

During the survey, cicada plant associations were observed and recorded for

each of the species encountered. Cicadas were considered to be associated

with a plant species when individuals were consistently observed inhabiting

that particular plant species and exuviae were frequently found on the plant.

Results

Cicada seasonality

The results of the survey are presented in Table 1 and summarized in Table 2.

Twenty-nine species were encountered at the three sites (11 at Prospect

Reservoir, 17 at Castlereagh Nature Reserve and 14 at Kinka Reserve, Terrey

Hills). Only three species were found at all sites; five were common to two

sites and the remaining 21 were encountered only at one site (Table 2).

Within each site, cicada emergences could be grouped consistently into three

temporal clusters: early-season (late September to early November), mid-

season (mid November to December) and late-season (January to February).

Two species, Cicadetta celis Moulds and Pauropsalta sp. nr annulata, were

found to emerge throughout the entire period (September to February), most

prominently after rain.

Early-season emergences consisted of a range of small cicada species at

Prospect Reservoir, including mainly Cicadetta tristrigata (Goding &

Froggatt), C. landsboroughi (Distant), C. multifascia Walker, C. sp. nr celis

and Pauropsalta sp. nr corticinus (Table 2). The emergence of a number of

these smaller species was coincidental, with high levels of multiple species

observed in 1991, 1994 and during the study years 1997, 1998 and 2002

(Table 1A). These synchronised levels of abundance did not always comprise

the same set of species, but a similar number of 4-6 taxa were recorded in

high numbers in each case. Further, the duration of presence for each year

showed a similar pattern across these species (Table 1A). Pauropsalta sp. nr

corticinus was the only early species that emerged in every year of the study.

The two related species Cicadetta sp. nr celis and C. tristrigata were always

present together and both were absent during 2001-2002 (Table 1A).

Cicadetta landsboroughi and C. multifascia showed a similar emergence

pattern, both being absent in 1996-1997 and 1999-2000.

102 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Table 1. Abundances of cicada species in three areas of western Sydney, 1996-2004.

Populations densities were estimated from direct observation of adults, exuviae and

songs. ‘x’ denotes present in low to moderate numbers, bold ‘x’ represents present

and abundant. TNS = Taxon Numbering System (Moss and Popple 2000).

A. Prospect Reservoir and environs

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

Species TNS

ONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFM

Ps. plaga 103 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX

A, curvicosta 525 XX XX XX XX XX XXX X XXXX

P.sp.nr corticinus 422 XXX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX

P. sp. nr annulata 434 XXXX XXX XXX XX XX XXX XXX XXX

C. sp. nr celis 480 XXX XXX XXX X X XX X

C. celis 481 XXXXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX

C. tristrigata 482 XXXX XXX XXX XX X XX XX

C. sp. nr adelaida 214 X XX X X X XXX

C. labeculata 184 XXX XXX XXX XX XX XXXX

C. landsboroughi 478 XXX XX X XX XX

C. multifascia 348 XX XX X X XX XX

B. Castlereagh Nature Reserve and environs

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

Species TNS

ONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFM

Th. saccata 3 XX XX XX XXXX XXX

M. angularis 59 XX XXX XXX

H. eydouxii 18 XX XX X X XXXX XXX

Ps. plaga 103 XXX XXXX XXX XXX xx XXXX — XXXX

Ps. moerens 89 XX XX XX XX XX XXX

Ps. harrisii 96 XX XX X

A. curvicosta 525 XX XXX XXX XX XXX XX XX XXXX

P. mneme 377 XXXX XX XX XX XXX XXX XXXX XX

P. sp. nr collina 417 XXX XXX XXXX XX XXX XXXX XXX — XXXX

P. sp. nr annulata — 434 XXX XXXX XXXX XXX XX XXX XXXX XXXXX

P. circumdata 398 XX XX XX X XX XXX

C. labeculata 184 XXXX XXX X XX XXX XX — XXXXX

C. spinosa 176 X XX XX XXXX XX XXXX

C.sp.nr fristrigata — 486 XX XX XX X X X X X

N. atrata 281 XX XXX XX XXX XX X XX XX XXX

U. daemeli 320 X

U. verna 327 X X XX XX XX XX

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 103

C. Kinka Reserve and environs

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

Species TNS

ONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFMONDJFM

Ps. plaga 103 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX

Ps. harrisii 96 XXXX XX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XX XXX

Cyc. australasiae 48 XXX XX XX X XX - XXX XX XXX

H. eydouxii 18 XX XX X X XXXX XXX

M. angularis 59 X X

A. curvicosta 525 XX XXX XXX XX XX XXXX X XXXX

T. tristigma 112 XX XXX — XXXX XX X

C. celis 481 XXX XXX XXX XX XX XX XX XX X XXXX

C. labeculata 184 XXXX XX XXX X XX XXX XX XXXX

C.sp.nr tristrigata — 486 X XX X XX XX X X XXXX

C. sp.nr denisoni 509 XX XX XX XXX XXX XX XXX

C. sp.nr 512 x x XX XX X — XXXX

abdominalis

N. sp.nr atrata 286 XX XXX XX XXX XX X X XX X XX XX

U. daemeli 320 X

M——————————————————————

Mid-season emergences included all the larger species: Thopha saccata

(Fabricius), Macrotristria angularis (Germar), Henicopsaltria eydouxii

(Guérin-Méneville), Psaltoda moerens (Germar), P. plaga (Walker), P.

harrisii (Leach), Aleeta curvicosta (Germar), Cyclochila australasiae

(Donovan) and Tamasa tristigma (Germar). The first five of these species all

emerged in abundance at the Castlereagh site in the 2002-2003 and 2003-

2004 seasons. These were the only observations of significant numbers of

large cicadas during the study (Table 2), with the exception of H. eydouxii at

Terrey Hills in 2000-2001 and 2002-2003 (Table 1C). This species was

absent in 1996-1997 and 1999-2000 at both Castlereagh and at Kinka

Reserve (Table 1B, C).

Psaltoda plaga, C. australasiae and A. curvicosta were the only larger

species that were present annually. P. harrisii emerged annually at Kinka

Reserve (Table 1C) but was present only during seasons (2000-2004) at

Castlereagh (Table 1B, 2). T. saccata and P. moerens were both encountered

in irregular seasons (Table 1B). M. angularis was only detected in two

seasons at Kinka Reserve (Table 2) and in three seasons at Castlereagh

(Table 1B, 2). Smaller species that emerged during November and December

included Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt) C. /abeculata (Distant), C.

sp. nr adelaida, C. sp. nr tristrigata, C. sp. nr abdominalis, C. sp. nr denisoni,

Pauropsalta mneme (Walker), P. sp. nr collina, Notopsalta atrata (Goding &

Froggatt), N. sp. nr atrata and Urabunana daemeli Distant.

104 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Table 2. Summary of the presence / absence of cicada species across three sites in the

Greater Sydney area. Eight seasons are represented (1996-2004) and records are

illustrated from October-March/May. Site 1 = Prospect Reservoir, Site 2 =

Castlereagh Nature Reserve and Site 3 = Kinka Reserve, Terrey Hills. Lighter shading

represents a lower number of records over the years, whilst darker shading represents

more consistent presence during the study period.

Species

Thopha saccata

Henicopsaltria eydouxii

Cyclochila australasiae

Macrotristria angularis

Psatloda moerens

Psaltoda harrisii

Psaltoda plaga

Tamasa tristigma

Cicadetta spinosa

Cicadetta labeculata

Cicadetta sp. nr adelaida

Notopsalta atrata

Notopsalta sp. nr atrata

Urabunana daemeli

Urabunana verna

Cicadetta multifascia

Pauropsalta mneme

Pauropsalta circumdata

Pauropsalta sp. nr collina

Pauropsalta sp. nr corticinus

Pauropsalta sp. nr annulata

Cicadetta landsboroughi

Cicadetta sp. nr celis

Cicadetta celis

Cicadetta tristrigata

Cicadetta sp. nr tristrigata

Cicadetta sp. nr denisoni

Cicadetta sp. nr abdominalis

Aleeta curvicosta

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 105

Table 2 (cont.). Summary of the presence / absence of cicada species across three

sites in the Greater Sydney area. Eight seasons are represented (1996-2004) and

records are illustrated from October-March/May. Site I = Prospect Reservoir, Site 2 =

Castlereagh Nature Reserve and Site 3 = Kinka Reserve, Terrey Hills. Lighter shading

represents a lower number of records over the years, whilst darker shading represents

more consistent presence during the study period.

Species

Thopha saccata

Henicopsaltria eydouxii

Cyclochila australasiae

Macrotristria angularis

Psatloda moerens

Psaltoda harrisii

Psaltoda plaga

Tamasa tristigma

Cicadetta spinosa

Cicadetta labeculata

Cicadetta sp. nr adelaida

Notopsalta atrata

Notopsalta sp. nr atrata

Urabunana daemeli

Urabunana verna

Cicadetta multifascia

Pauropsalta mneme

Pauropsalta circumdata

Pauropsalta sp. nr collina

Pauropsalta sp. nr corticinus

Pauropsalta sp. nr annulata

Cicadetta landsboroughi

Cicadetta sp. nr celis

Cicadetta celis

Cicadetta tristrigata

Cicadetta sp. nr tristrigata

Cicadetta sp. nr denisoni

Cicadetta sp. nr abdominalis

Aleeta curvicosta

106 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

All of the mid-season Cicadetta Amyot species were present for different

durations each season in relation to unstable weather and emergence times

were generally erratic. In contrast, emergence of Pauropsalta Goding &

Froggatt species was more predictable and both P. mmeme and P. sp. nr

collina were present annually (Table 1B). The two Notopsalta Dugdale

species also emerged in all years, sometimes emerging twice in one season

(Table 2). Second emergences were also observed in P. sp. nr corticinus in

2002-2003 (Table 1A) and Cicadetta celis in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002

(Table 1C). Urabunana daemeli was uncommon at both Kinka Reserve and

Castlereagh, being only recorded once in 1997-1998 and 2000-2001

respectively (Table 1B, C). Due to its inconspicuous nature, it is possible that

this species was overlooked during visits to these sites.

Two late-season species, Pauropsalta circumdata (Walker) and Urabunana

verna Distant, usually emerged after any rainfall in mid January and persisted

into February if temperatures were moderate.

Cicada plant associations

The plant associations of the cicadas encountered at the three sites are

summarised in Table 3. Cicadas were predominantly found to be associated

with eucalypts and many inhabited the dominant trees at each site. Fifteen

species occurred in Eucalyptus mollucana, which is a particularly prominent

tree species both at Prospect Reservoir and Castlereagh Nature Reserve. All

eucalypt-dwelling cicadas were found to be associated with several other

myrtaceous species, with the exception of Pauropsalta mneme, P.

circumdata, Cicadetta sp. nr denisoni and C. spinosa (Goding & Froggatt),

which were only found on Eucalyptus racemosa, E. mollucana, E. saligna

and E. fibrosa respectively (Table 3; Emery and Emery 2002).

Despite most species having a strong affinity with myrtaceous plants, a small

number of species were also found on quite unrelated vegetation. For

example, Cicadetta sp. nr celis was common on Eucalyptus mollucana, E.

fibrosa and Melaleuca decora; however, at Prospect Reservoir adults were

consistently found occurring in a grove of introduced Olea europaea.

Cicadetta sp. nr abdominalis occurred on the eucalypt Corymbia gummifera,

but was just as prominent on Hakea sp. and Grevillia sp. at Kinka Reserve.

Cicadetta multifascia, C. landsboroughi and Notopsalta atrata all occurred

on myrtaceous plants, but all were also commonly encountered in

unidentified grasses and their exuviae were often found in grass. Psaltoda

plaga inhabited Melaleuca decora, but was also common in Casuarina

glauca at Prospect Reservoir and at Castlereagh it was encountered mostly on

Acacia glareicola.

Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae) were not found to be dominant at any of the sites,

but were present in small clumps with a small number of associated cicadas.

One species, Tamasa tristigma (Germar), was restricted to Acacia glareicola

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 107

Table 3. Cicada species and their plant associations based on observations at Prospect

Reservoir, Castlereagh Nature Reserve and Kinka Reserve in Sydney, NSW, from

1996-2004.

Cicada species

Thopha saccata

Cyclochila australasiae

Henicopsaltria eydouxii

Psaltoda moerens

Psaltoda plaga

Psaltoda harrisii

Macrotristria angularis

Tamasa tristigma

Aleeta curvicosta

Cicadetta spinosa

Cicadetta labeculata

Cicadetta celis

Cicadetta sp. nr tristrigata

Cicadetta sp. nr celis

Cicadetta sp. nr abdominalis

Cicadetta sp. nr denisoni

Cicadetta sp. nr adelaida

Cicadetta tristrigata

Cicadetta landsboroughi

Cicadetta multifascia

Notopsalta sp. nr atrata

Notopsalta atrata

Pauropsalta mneme

Pauropsalta circumdata

Pauropsalta sp. nr corticinus

Pauropsalta sp. nr collina

Pauropsalta sp. nr annulata

Urabunana verna

Urabunana daemeli

Plant species associations

Eucalyptus mollucana, E. racemosa, Angophora

bakeri

E. globoidea

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, E. haemastoma, A.

bakeri

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri

Casuarina glauca, M. decora, Acacia glareicola

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri

Ac. glareicola

Melaleuca decora

E. fibrosa

Ac. longifolia, Ac. elongata, E. racemosa

M. decora, Leptospermum sp.

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri

E. mollucana, E. fibrosa, M. decora, Olea europaea

Corymbia gummifera, Hakea sp., Grevillea sp.

E. saligna

Ac. parramattensis, Ac. falciformis, Ac. falcata

E. mollucana, M. decora

E. mollucana, M. decora, grasses

E. mollucana, M. decora, Bursaria spinosa, grasses

E. globoidea, E. haemastoma

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri, grasses

E. racemosa

E. mollucana

E. mollucana, M. decora

E. mollucana, E. racemosa, A. bakeri

E. mollucana, E. fibrosa

grasses, Pimelia sp.

Leptospermum sp., small Hakea sp.

at Kinka Reserve. Two Cicadetta species, C. labeculata and C. sp. nr

adelaida, were both encountered almost exclusively on acacias. The latter

species was commonly found on Acacia parramattensis, as well as on A.

falcata and A. falciformis. Cicadetta labeculata occurred on Acacia elongata

and A. /ongifolia and was often found on Eucalyptus racemosa.

108 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Cicadetta celis was one of the few species that was found to inhabit

Leptospermum (Myrtaceae) on a regular basis. The affinity with this food

plant was also shared by the rather scarce Urabunana daemeli at both

Castlereagh and Kinka Reserve. The distantly related U. verna was restricted

to grass and small shrubs, such as Pimelia sp. (Thymeliaceae), at Castlereagh

Nature Reserve.

Discussion

This survey, over eight seasons, highlights the sequential seasonal emergence

of Sydney's cicada fauna as well as the high and similar diversity of cicada

species in the three sites of Sydney bushland examined.

The numbers of species found were similar to numbers found in several other

areas of NSW bushland around Blackheath in the Blue Mountains (10

species) and on the South and Central NSW Coasts (15 species) (authors'

unpublished data). Since cicadas show strong preferences for host plants, the

larger number of species found at Castlereagh Nature Reserve may be a

consequence of the greater diversity of floral communities found at this site.

The smaller cicada species emerged more regularly each season than larger

species although their numbers were more variable. An examination of the

population numbers for Cicadetta tristrigata, C. landsboroughi, C.

multifascia and C. sp. nr celis suggested a generational interval of 3-4 years.

Several of the larger species were found only in one or two years over the

entire 8 years surveyed. Since cicadas tend to emerge in batches in a given

season (Moulds 1990), both these observations are explained by the time

spent underground before emergence. Most cicada species have multiple-year

life cycles, with larger species thought to remain underground for periods

ranging from 2-8 years (de Boer and Duffels 1996) and some smaller species

completing annual cycles (Moulds 1990). Therefore, the lower numbers of

larger species observed during the survey may be due to chance, with an

absence of emerging broods. Low numbers recorded for some small cicadas

such as Urabunana daemeli may be due to adults having gone unnoticed.

The survey revealed a consistent sequential emergence pattern of species

throughout the Sydney season from September to January, with adults of

some species persisting until March or even May. Many of the smaller

species had completed their life-cycle prior to the emergence of the larger

species in mid to late November. The regulation of these sequential

emergences is not clear but similar patterns have been previously reported in

a four-year survey of cicadas in the New England region of NSW (Coombs

1996) and from a census of exuviae around Caloundra, north of Brisbane

(Ewart 2001).

Several interactive factors may stimulate cicada emergences, including

ambient and soil temperature, sap flow in food plants and rainfall that may

assist final tunneling of the exit hole. The influence of rain and temperature is

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 109

evident from the temporal and consistent emergence patterns of the world's

cicada species as the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) oscillates

through the tropical regions. The unexpected emergence, 3-4 weeks early, of

large and medium-sized cicadas in 2002 during a drought could indicate that

ambient temperature provided a direct signal or triggered an earlier seasonal

increase of sap flow in food plants. The emergence of Magicicada Linnaeus

nymphs in the USA appears to occur after soil (and resident cicada)

temperatures exceed 64?F and, because emergence is temperature-dependent,

periodical cicadas tend to emerge earlier in southern areas and at lower

elevations (Williams and Simon 1995).

Of particular interest is the pronounced emergence of all large cicada species

in 2003, for the second season in succession. The previous marked

emergence around Sydney was 1994 (authors? records), suggesting either a

generational interval of perhaps 8 years, or particularly conducive conditions

for the development of egg batches from previous seasons. These emergence

patterns emphasize the need for observations over extended time scales.

Nine undescribed species were recorded consistently throughout the period of

study. Only one species (Cicadetta sp. nr tristrigata) appears to be restricted

to the Sydney Basin, while the remainder have been collected from adjacent

coastal and mountain regions as well as at other locations in eastern

Australia. Cicadetta sp. nr celis and C. sp. nr tristrigata are contained in the

C. tristrigata complex, while C. sp. nr denisoni and C. sp. nr abdominalis

belong in the C. denisoni Distant and C. abdominalis Distant complexes

respectively (Moulds 1990). Their songs are different from those of other

members within the complexes, highlighting the taxonomic complexity of

Cicadettini genera.

Acknowledgements

We thank Catherine and Tim Emery for their support during fieldwork, Max

Moulds, Tony Ewart and Chris Burwell for comments on the manuscript and

Gimme Walter for helpful suggestions for the presentation of results.

References

BENSON, D. and HOWELL, J. 1990. Taken for granted. The bushland of Sydney and its

suburbs. Kangaroo Press, Sydney, pp 19-108.

COOMBS, M. 1996. Seasonality of cicadas (Hemiptera) on the northern tablelands of New

South Wales. Australian Entomologist 23: 55-60.

DE BOER, A.J. and DUFFELS, J.P. 1996. Historical biogeography of the cicadas of Wallacea,

New Guinea and the West Pacific: a geotectonic explanation. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology

and Paleoecology 124: 153-177.

EMERY, D.L. and EMERY, S.J. 2002. First records for the paperbark cicada Cicadetta hackeri

(Distant) and Cicadetta spinosa (Goding & Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Sydney, New

South Wales. Australian Entomologist 29: 137-139.

110 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

EWART, A. 1989. Revisionary notes on the genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt

(Homoptera: Cicadidae) with special reference to Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland

Museum 27: 289-375.

EWART, A. 2001. Emergence patterns and densities of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) near

Caloundra, south-east Queensland. Australian Entomologist 28: 69-84.

EWART, A. and POPPLE, L.W. 2001. Cicadas, and their songs, from south-western

Queensland. Queensland Naturalist 39: 52-71.

HOWELL, J. and BENSON, D. 2000. Sydney's bushland. More than meets the eye. Royal

Botanic Gardens, Sydney; 24 pp.

MOSS, J.T.St.L. and POPPLE, L.W. 2000. Cicada, butterfly and moth records from the Gibraltar

Range, New South Wales (Hemiptera: Cicadidae; Lepidoptera). Queensland Naturalist 38: 53-

60.

MOULDS, M. 1990. Australian cicadas. New South Wales University Press, Kensington; x +

217 pp.

WILLIAMS, K.S. and SIMON, C. 1995. The ecology, behavior, and evolution of periodical

cicadas. Annual Review of Entomology 40: 269-295.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3): 111-133 111

NEW SPECIES AND RECORDS OF APIROCALUS PASCOE

(COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE: ENTIMINAE:

CELEUTHETINI) FROM NEW GUINEA

R.T. THOMPSON

Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD,

England

Abstract

Eight new species of the New Guinean weevil genus Apirocalus Pascoe are described: A.

carinirostris, A. fordi, A. grossus, A. perturbans, A. riedeli, A. scaber, A. specillifer and A.

verrucosus, together with three new subspecies: A. cornutus bosavii, A. sedlaceki laminifer and

A. avus tarii. One previously described species is reduced to subspecific status as A. cornutus

paradoxus Thompson, stat. n. The known ranges of several other species are extended.

Introduction

This paper is a supplement to one published nearly 30 years ago (Thompson

1977). In that work, 34 species and 9 subspecies of Apirocalus Pascoe were

recognized. Here, a further 8 new species and 3 new subspecies are added

and one previously described species is reduced to subspecific status, so the

totals are now 41 species and 13 subspecies. Most of these taxa occur in

Papua New Guinea; only three (4. terrestris dissidens Thompson, A.

cornutus virescens Thompson and A. ebrius ebrius Faust) are known from

West Papua (= Irian Jaya), despite intensive collecting there by Alexander

Riedel. The system of subgenera and species groups previously established

(Thompson 1977) remains unchanged.

Adult Apirocalus attack a very wide range of plants, including field crops and

trees (Thompson 1977). Their habit of attacking the tender shoots of woody

plants makes them especially harmful; thus Browne (1968) observed: “This

weevil [4. cornutus Pascoe] is reported as a minor pest of Eucalyptus

deglupta (Myrtaceae] in the drier parts of Papua. The adult beetle feeds on

the foliage of trees of all ages, frequently injuring the growing tips, causing

loss of increment and the deformation of stems of young trees.”

The taxonomic problems associated with flightless weevils which inhabit

mountainous terrain are here exacerbated by varying degrees of sexual

dimorphism and by clinal variation, which may be both horizontal and

vertical. The latter may affect different species in the same way, e.g.

reduction in scale size with increasing altitude. Every degree of difference

between populations occurs so the ranking of segregates is more than usually

subjective and it is difficult to treat different groups consistently.

Techniques remain as in Thompson (1977) except that it is not always

necessary to remove the entire abdomen when preparing the genitalia,

provided the specimen is thoroughly softened in warm water (with detergent

to aid penetration). It is very important to preserve the very elongate internal

sac of the male so that its denticles and flagellum may be observed. The latter

112 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

is now measured using a map distance measurer; this is calibrated by running

it along a scale-line drawn using a stage micrometer and the same camera

lucida set-up as that used for drawing the flagellum. The tip of the flagellum

is often exceedingly fine and hard to detect; in such cases it may be necessary

to make an incision in the sac and tease it out.

Most of the material for this study came from two sources, the Bernice P.

Bishop Museum, Honolulu (BPBM) and the collection of Alexander Riedel

(AR). Riedel’s collection is at present in the Zoologisches Staatssammlung,

Munich (ZS), where holotypes described from it are deposited. A few records

resulting from my visit to the Paris Museum (MNHN) in 1978 are included.

Others are in The Natural History Museum, London (BMNH).

Systematics

Genus Apirocalus Pascoe

Subgenus Molobrium Thompson

Small species (X 7.5 mm); elytra with a pair of erect tubercles (at least in

males) but no blade-like processes or subhorizontal angulations.

gracilis group

Mesepisterna and arms of mesosternum smooth and bare.

Apirocalus (Molobrium) fordi sp. n.

(Figs 1-4, 33-35)

Types. Holotype QC, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, Salawaket

[Saruwaged] Range, Sepalakambang [Seperagambang], 1920 m, 11-14.ix.1956, E.J.

Ford, Jr (in BPBM). Paratypes: 6 O'G', 4 99, same data as holotype (7 BPBM, 3

BMNH); | C, ditto, except 12.ix.1956; 1 0”, ditto, except 15.ix.1956 (both BPBM);

4 00,4 99, Baindoang [Baindoung], 1800 m, 15.ix.1956, E.J. Ford, Jr (6 BPBM, 2

BMNH); 1 OC, 1 9, Gewak, 1530 m, 6.ix.1956, E.J. Ford, Jr; 1 0%, 1 9, ditto, except

7.ix.1956 (all BPBM); I 9, Tuwep [Tewep], 1350 m, 8.ix.1956, E.J. Ford, Jr (BPBM).

Description. Length 6.0-6.7 mm. Head and prothorax black, hind body and

legs black or blackish red, antennae dark red. Scales uniform brown or

coppery but sometimes variegated with pale grey-green or pearly (especially

when clean) and sometimes fiery red on heads of femora; setae mostly white

on legs and elytral tubercles. Head as in A. gracilis Thompson except eyes

smaller and more strongly convex; nasal plate ill-defined, convex; inter-

antennal area coarsely and irregularly punctate; median rostral carina very

variable: sometimes well-defined, broad, flattened (with or without median

groove), sometimes reduced or divided in two longitudinally and merging

with surrounding rugosity; antennal scape slightly stouter than in A. gracilis.

Prothorax as long as broad, barrel-shaped, widest slightly (female) or

distinctly (male) in front of middle, middle of sides strongly rounded,

tapering thence to extremities; setae mostly small, brown, and inconspicuous.

Elytra as in A. gracilis except TSI (Tubercle Separation Index — see

Thompson 1977, fig. 2) smaller: 44-55 (0), 17-27 (9). Legs as in A. gracilis

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 113

Figs 1-22. Apirocalus spp., genitalia etc. (1-3) A. (Molobrium) fordi median lobe of

aedeagus in dorsal, postero-lateral (apex only) and right lateral view; (4) ditto,

spermatheca (gland missing); (5-7) A. (M.) scaber median lobe of aedeagus; (8, 9) A.

(A.) verrucosus median lobe of aedeagus; (10) ditto, spermatheca; (11-13) A. (4.)

riedeli median lobe of aedeagus; (14) ditto, spermatheca; (15-17) ditto, apex of elytra

in postero-dorsal view (15 male, 16, 17 female); (18-20) A. (A.) perturbans median

lobe of aedeagus; (21, 22) spermathecae. Scale-lines = 0.5 mm.

114 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

except fore tibiae strongly incurved towards apex and inner edge of all tibiae

without any evident teeth. Venter rugose, coarsely punctate, strongly setose;

scales dense only on ventrite 2, especially towards sides. Sexual dimorphism

pronounced: male with large, + conical tubercle at top of elytral declivity,

centred on interstria 4, with or without much smaller accessory tubercles in

interstriae 5 and 6 (cf. Thompson 1977, fig. 31); female with much smaller +

conical tubercle in middle of elytral declivity centred on interstria 3, with or

without indications of swellings at top of declivity in interstriae 3, 5 and 6;

female with disc of pronotum covered with dense shiny granules (absent in

male) and with ventrite 2 tumescent; male with swelling in centre of

metasternum and narrow longitudinal median sulcus on ventrite 1 (as in A.

stibicki Thompson).

Genitalia. Seven males, 5 females dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs

1-3) x 2.47-2.94 as long as broad (mean (6) = 2.74) and x 0.69-0.87 as long

as pronotum (mean (6) — 0.78), sides weakly sinuous, apex tapering, tip

blunt, upper surface with pair of strong smooth cariniform elevations in basal

half; apodemes (struts) x 1.64-1.77 as long as median lobe (mean (5) = 1.71);

manubrium x 0.69-0.74 as long as median lobe (mean (5) = 0.73); flagellum

x 0.6 as long. Spermathecae of two specimens closely resemble those of A.

gracilis (Thompson 1977, fig. 88).

Comments. Although the median lobe of the aedeagus is distinctive, I have

been unable to find any strong external character that will distinguish the

male of this species from that of A. stibicki; it is probably smaller (on

average) than the latter, the eyes are usually smaller and more strongly

convex and the elytral setae are more prominent. In particular, the setae on

the disc of the elytra are semi-erect (not recumbent), although still very

inconspicuous. The small, mid-declivital tubercles of the female are

distinctive (Fig. 34). In one of the Gewak females (Fig. 35) these tubercles

are obsolete; this is the first recorded example of an Apirocalus without any

elytral elevations.

Range. Northern Morobe District (Saruwaged Range). Altitude: 1350-1920

m. The range of this species lies between those of A. gracilis and A. stibicki.

It shares this range with A. granulicollis Thompson and A. ebrius wagneri

Thompson; all three were taken together by Ford.

Apirocalus (Molobrium) scaber sp. n.

(Figs 5-7, 36)

Type. Holotype 0, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, Huon Peninsula,

Pindiu, 20.iv.1963, J. Sedlacek (in BPBM).

Description. Male. Length 6.4 mm. Black, except antennal funicle and tarsi

blackish red. Scales mostly brown or coppery, concentrated at sides of

prothorax and on elytral elevations, elsewhere dull and hyaline, with bare

areas below elytral humeri and on sides of prothorax posteriorly; setae mostly

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 115

=

Figs 23-32. Apirocalus (A.) spp., genitalia. (23, 24) A. carinirostris median lobe of

aedeagus; (25) ditto, spermatheca; (26) A. avus tarii apex of aedeagus in right lateral

view; (27) A. avus intermedius, ditto; (28, 29) A. grossus median lobe of aedeagus;

(30-32) A. specillifer median lobe of aedeagus (holotype; the asymmetry of the apex

is not apparent in the paratype). Scale-lines = 0.5 mm.

27

32

pale, conspicuous on femora. Head as in A. fordi; median rostral carina very

narrow. Prothorax x 1.1 as long as broad, widest about middle, sides evenly

rounded, upper surface and sides very coarsely punctate, interspaces very

narrow, forming an irregular reticulum. Elytra obovate, sides straight in

posterior part of basal half, tapering strongly and evenly to base, less strongly

but increasingly to apex; disc flattened, surface with smooth irregular

transverse rugae; strial punctures very deep (deeper than those on prothorax);

116 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

large stout tubercle at top of declivity, centred on interstriae 2-4, much

smaller accessory tubercle in interstria 5 and a distinct cariniform elevation

anterior to this in interstria 6, also a vague swelling on declivity, centred on

interstriae 5 and 6, between main tubercle and apex and another behind

humeri, centred on interstriae 6 and 7, about level with metasternum; setae on

tubercles small (some possibly missing); TSI 50. Mesepisterna with 5-7

scattered punctures; metasternum with disc flat, very coarsely and irregularly

punctate. Legs as in A. fordi. Venter very coarsely punctate (about as

pronotum); ventrite 1 with broad deep median sulcus, depth enhanced by ill-

defined flanking rugose carinae.

Genitalia. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 5-7) short and stout, only twice as

long as broad and x 0.6 as long as pronotum, sides broadly constricted in

apical third, tip bluntly rounded, middle of base with short but strongly raised

median carina; internal sac without any large denticles; (flagellum missing).

Comments. Easily distinguished from its relatives by its coarse puncturation

and the uneven surface of the elytra.

Range. Northern Morobe District (Pindiu). Altitude: unknown (« 1450 m).

Apirocalus (Molobrium) stibicki Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 o, Morobe District, Lae, Melambi

River, Mirilunga Village, 4500 ft [1350 m], 29.xii.1956, J.H. Ardley (BMNH).

Comments. This specimen resembles the holotype of A. stibicki except that it

lacks entirely the accesory tubercles in elytral interstriae 5 and 6 (Thompson

1977, fig. 31). Having observed the wide range of variation in these tubercles

in A. fordi, I am convinced that this specimen is conspecific with A. stibicki.

The locality is clearly very near that of the holotype but at a lower altitude.

The four species which comprise the gracilis group occur in a line along the

mountains from the Finisterre Range in the west to the Huon Peninsula in the

east. Interestingly, they show some clinal variation in body form and in the

development of the longitudinal sulcus on ventrite I of the male. This sulcus

is absent in A. gracilis, narrow and shallow in A. fordi and A. stibicki and

broad and deep in A. scaber.

io group

Mesepisterna and arms of mesosternum squamose.

Apirocalus (Molobrium) terrestris terrestris Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: | o", Southern Highlands, Tari-Koroba,

Hedemari, 1700-1900 m, 6-9.v.1998, A. Riedel (AR).

Additional published records. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Eastern Highlands Province,

Kainantu, 1550m, v.1976, on cabbage; Western Highlands Province, Tambul,

xii.1975, on lettuce (Greve and Ismay 1983).

Comments. The specimen examined extends the range of A. t. terrestris

slightly to the west and is the second record for the Southern Highlands.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 117

Figs 33-39. Apirocalus spp. (33-35) A. (Molobrium) fordi (33 male, with dorsal

elytral tubercles, 34 female, with declivital tubercles; 35 female without any

tubercles); (36) A. (M.) scaber, holotype male; (37, 38) A. (A.) fallax, male, female;

(39) A. (A.) verrucosus, female.

118 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Apirocalus (Molobrium) terrestris dissidens Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 9, Sandaun Province, Telefomin, trail

to Eliptamin, 1700-1900 m, 16-17.v.1998, A. Riedel (AR); 1 9, “NE”, Tifalmin, 1350

m, 19.viii.1963, R. Straatman (BPBM). INDONESIA (WEST PAPUA): 2 (0, Swart

Valley, W side, 1400-2000 m, 10.xi.1958, J.L. Gressitt (BPBM).

Comments. | have been unable to find Tifalmin; it is cited in an unpublished

Bishop Museum list (without coordinates) but is not in Anon (1970). The

Swart Valley record extends the range of A. t. dissidens some 300 km WNW

along the central mountains of New Guinea. The upland form of A. ebrius

also occurs in Swart Valley (Thompson 1977).

Subgenus Apirocalus Pascoe

Elytra with a pair of subhorizonal blade-like processes or peripheral

angulations; sometimes with oblique tuberculiform processes but these

project beyond elytral outline in dorsal view.

fallax group

Variable species, mostly small and rough, with short angulate subhorizontal

elytral processes in both sexes and having the apex of the aedeagus

acuminate. Some males have a deep, sharply defined, crater-like fovea on

ventrite 5 and sharp carinae on the upper surface of the median lobe of the

aedeagus, neither of which features is found outside the group.

Apirocalus (A.) fallax Thompson

(Figs 37, 38)

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 ex., Morobe District, c.10 km S of

Garaina, Saureri, 1400-1700 m, 22.iii.1998, A. Riedel; 2 ex., ditto, except 1600-1700

m, 23-24.iii.1998 and ‘sifted’; 1 ex., ditto, except 1550-1700 m, 27.iii.1998 (all AR);

I ex., Wau, Biaru, 1225 m, 8.x.1978, J.L. Gressitt (BPBM).

Apirocalus (A.) verrucosus sp. n.

(Figs 8-10, 39)

Types. Holotype O', PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, Aseki, Alewa near

Polu, 1750 m, 14.iv.1998, A. Riedel, *sifted* (in ZS). Paratypes: I 9, same data as

holotype (BMNH); 1 9, Aseki, Hokanaiwa, 1600-1900 m, 4.11.1998, A. Riedel; 1 9,

Aseki, Oiwa, 1600-1700 m, 11-12.iii.1998, A. Riedel (both AR).

Description. Length 5.6-6.6 mm. Head and body black, antennae and legs

dark or blackish red. Scales brown, with coppery reflection (when clean);

setae mostly brown, those on elytra prominent. Head with strong

circumocular rugae; eyes large, moderately convex (about as in A. sedlaceki);

rostrum weakly and evenly widening from base to pterygia, median carina

distinct but fine; antennae as in A. fallax. Prothorax about as long as broad,

widest about middle, sides rather strongly rounded, base about one fifth wider

than apex; disc of pronotum with irregular longitudinal elevations on either

side of mid-line (weaker in male), causing disc to appear flattened, surface

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 119

also with irregularly arranged bead-like granules (larger in female). Elytra

subquadrate, flattened above, With strong strial punctures and numerous

elevations, some granuliform, some cariniform, especially towards sides

where they project beyond elytral outline in dorsal view; elytral processes

very small, broadly rounded or truncate, not (female) or scarcely (male)

larger than their basal swellings which appear as discrete granules; EPI 112

(O^), 110-113 (9) (Thompson 1977, fig. 3). Legs as in A. fallax. Mesepisterna

with 4-6 large (sometimes confluent) punctures and numerous scales; arms of

mesosternum with one or two indistinct punctures and 1-3 scales. Venter and

metasternum strongly punctate and rugose, with scattered scales and semi-

erect setae; ventrite 5 with indistinct fovea in male. Sexual dimorphism very

slight (see above).

Genitalia. One male and 1 female dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs

8, 9) x 3.13 as long as broad and x 0.56 as long as pronotum, weakly curved

in profile, apex acuminate, tip broadly rounded; apodemes x 2.36 as long as

median lobe; flagellum x 1.6 as long as median lobe and x 0.65 as long as

pronotum. Spermatheca (Fig. 10) distinctly plumper than those of A. fallax

(Thompson 1977, figs 123-125); duct x 0.61 as long as flagellum of male.

Comments. The right elytron of the holotype is distinctly shorter than the left

owing to failure of the apical part to expand fully. The female resembles

some females of A. fallax but in that species the punctures on the

mesepisternum are smaller and more numerous. The various pronotal and

elytral elevations make this the roughest species yet described, hence the

name (‘warty’). It is the only member of the nominate subgenus in which the

spread of the elytral processes of the male is distinctly less than the greatest

width of the elytra proper. Its distribution extends the range of the fallax

group some 60 km to the west.

Range. Morobe District (Aseki). Altitude: c. 1700 m.

Apirocalus (A.) riedeli sp. n.

(Figs 11-17, 40-42)

Types. Holotype 0", PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, range between Aseki

and Menyamya [7?18'S, 146908'E], 2000-2200 m, 12.iv.1998, A. Riedel (in ZS).

Paratypes: 12 OG", 7 99, same data as holotype (14 AR, 5 BMNH); 1 0,6 99, Aseki,

Oiwa, 1600-1700 m, 11-12.iii.1998, A. Riedel (6 AR, I BMNH); 1 C, 1 $, ditto,

except 1700-1800 m and 10-11.iv.1998; | O', ditto, except Langama Road and

21.1.1998; 1 o", Aiewa near Poiu (S of Aseki), 1500-1700 m, 14.iv.1998 (all AR);

1 9, Watut-Aseki Divide, 1900 m, 14.iv.1974, Reni Sakomdaro (BPBM).

Description. Length 7.2-8.3 mm. Head and body black, antennae and legs

dark or blackish red (coxae and tarsi black). Scales either bright rust-brown

or mostly or entirely green, dense on body, smaller and separate on legs,

vividly metallic towards apex of elytral processes but with extensive bare

areas below sides of prothorax and elytra; setae mostly brown on body, pale

on legs. Head as in A. fallax except antennae more slender throughout,

120 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

funicle segments 1 and 2 subequal and x 2.8-3.2 as long as broad, segments

4-7 shorter (5 shortest), c. x 1.7 as long and about twice as long as broad;

club twice as wide as funicle and x 2.7-3.1 as long as broad, fusiform, widest

at distal two-thirds of length. Prothorax x 1.05-1.17 as long as broad, barrel-

shaped (hence appearing distinctly longer than broad), widest in, or in front

of, middle; disc of pronotum flattened (sometimes depressed), with irregular

bead-like granules, usually prominent in female, smaller, sometimes

indistinct, in male; setae mostly recumbent and inconspicuous. Elytra narrow

in male, without any constriction in front of processes, broadly rounded in

female, hence narrowing slightly at base of processes; processes short, stout,

strongly tapering, strongly diverging and strongly rising, hind edge + swollen

in male, always swollen in female and sometimes developed into a large,

blunt, posteriorly-directed tubercle (Fig. 42); disc of elytra flattened or

weakly depressed, surface fairly even; strial punctures small, each with a

small associated granule; large dark erect setae near sides of most females

and some males and tuft of long pale setae on apex of each elytral process.

Legs as in A. fallax but more slender. Mesepisterna posteriorly with a few

very small punctures and very small scales, otherwise these and arms of

mesosternum entirely bare and smooth. Ventrites 1 and 2 and metasternum

very finely rugose, with large shallow punctures containing pale suberect

setae, scales small and separate throughout; ventrite 5 with huge sharp-

rimmed crater-like fovea in male, smaller fovea, with smoothly rounded

edges, in female (sometimes obsolete). Sexual dimorphism moderate (see

above); in addition, elytral apex entire in male (Fig. 15) but sharply

emarginate in female (Fig. 17); emargination very small and obscure in some

females (Fig. 16); elytral processes only slightly smaller in female (on

average) (EPI 116-117 (07), 115-116 (9)).

Genitalia. Five males and 4 females dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs

11-13) x 2.1-2.4 as long as broad and x 0.49-0.57 as long as pronotum, with

sharply defined depression in upper surface (somewhat as in A. fallax but

open anteriorly); apodemes x 2.50-2.61 as long as median lobe; manubrium

slightly shorter than median lobe; flagellum very fine, x 0.32-0.46 as long as

pronotum; internal sac with two principal flexures (making it appear Z-

shaped), inner surface with various transparent microtrichia and a double row

of larger, pigmented denticles around the distal flexure or between the

flexures. Spermatheca (Fig. 14) as in A. fallax (Thompson 1977, figs 113-

115).

Bionomic data. “On Rut[aceae]: Evodia sp.” (Bishop Museum specimen).

Comments. This species superficially resembles members of the acutus group

but does not have their extraordinary secondary sexual characters or small

eyes. It runs to couplet 34 in my key (Thompson 1977).

Range. Morobe District (Aseki). Altitude: c. 1700-c. 2000 m.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 121

Figs 40-46. Apirocalus (A.) spp. (40-42) A. reideli (40 male; 41 female, 42 female

with tubercles on elytral processes); (43-45) A. perturbans (43 holotype male, with

elytral spines; 44 female without elytral spines; 45 female with elytral spines); (46) A.

specillifer, holotype male.

122 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Apirocalus (A.) perturbans sp. n.

(Figs 18-22, 43-45)

Types. Holotype O', PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, Engabena, 1800 m,

28-30.xi.1974, Reni and Petrus (in BPBM). Paratypes: 2 99, same data as holotype

(BPBM, BMNH). All three specimens have been dissected.

Description. Length 6.9-8.2 mm. Head and body black, antennae and legs

dark or blackish red (coxae and tarsi black). Scales generally dense, greyish

or coppery brown but (some) iridescent green or golden red on elytral

processes and extensive bare areas on sides of prothorax and elytra; setae on

tips of elytral processes creamy white, forming a dense fringe, elsewhere on

body mostly pale or dark brown, whitish or hyaline on head and legs. Head

with weak circumocular rugae (easily concealed by scales), densely

squamose below eyes; rostrum + parallel-sided, weakly widening at genae;

median rostral carina distinct, flanked by scale-covered rugae; genae bare;

antennae as in A. fallax except funicle more slender, segment 2 x 2.9 as long

as broad. Prothorax x 1.1 as long as broad, sides moderately and + evenly

rounded, widest slightly in front of middle; disc of pronotum flattened, with

very irregularly arranged cluster of c. 20 shiny granules, interspaces with

deep punctures concealed by scales. Elytra ovate, disc slightly flattened,

surface weakly rugose, with scattered shiny granules (all smaller than largest

of those on pronotum) but without any elevations; elytral processes tapering,

their spread exceeding maximum width of elytra proper (c. x 1.1 as wide),

basal swelling absent but usually with elongate tapering spine projecting

horizontally from interstria 3 slightly below level of process. Legs as in A.

fallax. Mesothorax, at sides, bare and shiny, with fine scattered punctures, as

in A. (Molobrium) gracilis group; metasternum flat on disc, surface finely

rugose and irregularly punctate. Sexual dimorphism slight; venter of male

very coarsely punctate, with an ill-defined median sulcus on ventrite 1 and

anterior half of ventrite 2, ventrite 5 with huge median fovea with sharp,

strongly raised edges; venter of female more finely and diffusely punctate,

with no median sulcus and a small ill-defined fovea on ventrite 5; EPI 121

(07), 118 (9).

Genitalia. One male and 2 females dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs

18-20) x 2.1 as long as broad and x 0.53 as long as pronotum, edges of

phallotreme sharply thickened, forming a U-shaped depression, as in A.

fallax; apodemes x 2.9 as long as median lobe, manubrium equal to it in

length, flagellum x 0.7 as long and x 0.4 as long as pronotum. Spermatheca

(Figs 21, 22) very similar to that of 4. fallax but both specimens examined

have a transparent collar on the gland-lobe; spermathecal duct x 0.64 as long

as pronotum.

Comments. The thickened edges of the phallotreme of the aedeagus and short

elytral processes in both sexes show that this species belongs to the fallax

group but its smooth prothorax and elytra give it a superficial resemblance to

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 123

members of the avus group. Disregarding the elytral spines, this species is

rather similar to A. riedeli, with which it may be parapatric. It differs in

having the pronotum less distinctly flattened, the elytral processes less

strongly rising and the apical elytral emargination present in both sexes. The

declivital elytral spines are unique to this species. They may, however, be

homologous with the elytral tubercles of A. riedeli but these occur only in

some females. The lack of spines in one of the two females of A. perturbans

(Fig. 44) is puzzling, hence the name given to this species.

Range. Morobe District (Engabena). Altitude: 1800 m.

avus group

Small brown species with capitate antennal funicles in both sexes and well-

developed blade-like elytral processes in the male. The species have few

strong differentiating characters, either externally or in their genitalia, apart

from the length of the flagellum.

Apirocalus (A.) avus avus Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 Vo, Eastern Highlands, “bet[ween]

Daulo Pass [and] Chuave”, 16.v.1966, J.L. Gressitt; 1 9, Sinofi, 30 km S of Kainantu,

1590 m, 30.ix.1959, T.C. Maa; 1 9, Chimbu, Kundiava, 1400-1500 m, ix.1971,

N.L.H. Krauss (all BPBM).

Apirocalus (A.) avus intermedius Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: | o", Western Highlands, Wapenamada,

5800 ft [1740 m], 14.ix.1969, P. Sawyer (BPBM).

Apirocalus (A.) avus karimuicus Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 C, 1 9, Chimbu, Mt Karimui, 2300 m,

18-20.iv.1977, J.L. Gressitt (BPBM); 2 (0, ditto, except 2100-2300 m and 16-

20.iv.1977 (BPBM, BMNH).

Bionomic data. “Olearia” [Asteraceae] (handwritten, on first pair).

Comments. These specimens were taken 1000 m higher up Mt Karimui than

the types. Their elytral processes are distinctly longer than those of the types

(EPI 145-150 (0), 128 (9)); indeed those of the female closely resemble

those of the males of the lower population. Increase in length of elytral

processes with higher altitude has been carefully documented in A. ebrius

Faust and has been noted in A. sedlaceki Thompson and A. cornutus

virescens Thompson (Thompson 1977). The present specimens also differ

from the others in having green scales on the body and coppery scales on the

legs, which are dark red.

Apirocalus (A.) avus tarii subsp. n.

(Figs 26, 47, 48)

Types. Holotype 0", PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Southern Highlands, between Tari and

Koroba, Hake [5?45'S, 142?45'E], 1700-2000 m, 14.v.1998, A. Riedel (in ZS).

Paratypes: 27 O'O, 20 99, same data as holotype (37 AR, 10 BMNH).

124 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Description. Resembles A. a. intermedius Thompson but is slightly larger, on

average (6.2-6.8 mm), has a longer flagellum (x 2.25-2.38 as long as

pronotum (mean (5) = 2.32)) which is coiled into a ring and the median lobe

of the aedeagus has, in profile, a weak pre-apical constriction (Fig. 26). This

subspecies occurs some 100 km west of the nearest locality of A. a.

intermedius and its discovery extends the range of the avus group by that

distance. Five males and one female were dissected.

Range. Southern Highlands (Tari). Altitude: c. 1800 m.

Apirocalus (A.) sedlaceki laminifer subsp. n.

(Figs 49, 50)

Types. Holotype 0, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, range between Aseki

and Menyamya [7°18'S, 146908'E], 2000-2200 m, 12.iv.1998, A. Riedel (in ZS).

Paratypes: 72 OG, 51 99, same data as holotype (100 AR, 20 BMNH, 5 BPBM);

9 OG, 12 99, Aseki, Oiwa, 1600-1700 m, 11-12.iii.1998, A. Riedel; 3 OG, 5 99,

ditto, except 22.11.1998; 2 O'0", 2 99, ditto, except 1700-1800 m and 10-11.iv.1998;

1 o", ditto, 1700 m and 9-14.iv.1998; 2 (107, 3 99, ditto, except Langama Road, 1600-

1700 m and 22.1.1998 (all AR); 6 o'o, 1 9, Aseki, Hokanalwa, 1600-1900 m,

14.1.1998; 2 (0, 2 99, Aiewa near Poiu, S [of] Aseki, 1500-1700 m, 14.iv.1998;

4 OG, 5 99, Aseki, 1200-1400 m, 14.iv.1998; 1 O, 2 99, Aseki, 1000-1300 m,

13.x.1992, all A. Riedel (all AR); 1 0, Aseki, 10.x.1971, L. Jay; 1 9, Aseki, 1200 m,

14.iv.1974, Josef Ku; 1 O', Aseki, 1200 m, 1.xii.1974, Reni (all BPBM); 1 9, Werr

Valley, Menyamya, 6.ix.1961, L. Hastings (BMNH); 1 o, 2 99, Ekuti Range

[between Aseki and Mt Amungwiwa], Gressitt et al.; I d, 1 9, Mt Amingwiwa

[Amungwiwa], 1000-2300 m, 12-13.iv.1970, J.L. Gressitt (all BPBM).

Description. Differs from the nominate subspecies in its larger average size

(length O': 6.7-8.3 mm (mean (20) = 7.48); 9: 7.2-8.7 mm (mean (20) =

8.11)), longer elytral processes (EPI 143-162 (07), 118-138 (9)) and shorter

flagellum (x 1.18-2.14 length of pronotum (mean (14) = 1.57)) which is

curved but not coiled into a ring; sides of elytra strongly and evenly rounded

so there is a distinct constriction in front of process bases in both sexes;

elytral processes of male vary in width and are often parallel-sided; there is

no trace of a pre-basal swelling in either sex. Disc of pronotum sometimes

depressed in male and fairly evenly covered with bead-like granules; these,

and the elytral strial granules, vary considerably in size in both sexes. Sixteen

males and four females were dissected.

Bionomic data. ‘Ficus’ [Moraceae] (Reni specimen).

Comments. This subspecies is narrowly parapatric with the nominate

subspecies along the upper Watut river, near Wau. Some specimens taken on

either side of this river are somewhat intermediate in character and a careful

study of the available material suggests that clines may exist in the length of

the flagellum and in the lengths of the elytral processes across the ranges of

the two subspecies, with a step in each at the Watut river. The two paratypes

of A. sedlaceki from Aseki (Thompson 1977) clearly belong to the present

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 125

Figs 47-52. Apirocalus (A.) avus group. (47, 48) A. avus tarii, male, female; (49, 50)

A. sedlaceki laminifer, male, female; (51, 52) A. carinirostris, male, female.

126 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

subspecies. The name (‘blade-bearer’) refers to the thin, elongate elytral

processes of the male.

Range: Morobe District (SW). Altitude: c. 1200-2000 m.

Apirocalus (A.) canus Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 CC, “Moroka/ Brit. N.G./ 3500 ft.

[1050 m], x.[18]95/ Anthony”; 1 9, “Mt. Alexander/ to Mt. Nisbet/ Brit. N.G.,

i.[18]96/ Anthony.” (all MNHN).

Comments. Moroka [Morokai] is 50 km E of Port Moresby at 9925'S,

147935'E (unpublished Bishop Museum list of New Guinea localities, 1966).

Mt Nisbet is in the Owen Stanley Range at 9°12'S, 147950'E (World

Aeronautical Chart 3096) and Mt Alexander is 20 km W of Mt Nisbet at

99148, 147940'E (L.E. Cheesman, MS gazetteer). Both records extend the

known range of A. canus in a southerly direction by up to 60 km. Three

species have been recorded at Morokai, namely A. camus, A. inornatus

Thompson and A. cornutus Pascoe.

Apirocalus (A.) carinirostris sp. n.

(Figs 23-25, 51, 52)

Types. Holotype 0", PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Southern Highlands, Mt Bosavi, 2300

m, 9.v.1973, J.L. Gressitt et al. (in BPBM). Paratypes: | O', same data as holotype

(“et al.” omitted) (BMNH); 1 9, ditto, except 7.v.1973; 1 9, ditto, except J.L. Gressitt

and Gaya (both BPBM).

Description. Length 8.0-9.0 mm. Head and body black or reddish black,

antennae reddish black, legs dark red (tarsi blackish). Scales on body

subcircular, + contiguous, pale grey or pearly with coppery (sometimes

green) reflection, on legs mostly translucent and inconspicuous; setae mostly

pale. Head as in A. sedlaceki, except median rostral carina prominent, broad,

shiny and bare, widening apicad where it merges with nasal plate; antennal

scape slender, distinctly sinuous, widening progressively from near base,

apex distinctly capitate but without a sharp pre-apical constriction; setae on

fore edge curved, semi-erect, all much shorter than greatest diameter of scape

in middle of length; funicle stout, segments 1 and 2 subequal in length and x

2.0-2.3 as long as broad, segments 3-7 two-thirds as long and x 1.2-1.5 as

long as broad. Prothorax slightly longer than broad (x 1.02-1.14 as long),

sides moderately rounded, widest in front of middle (male) or about middle

(female); disc of pronotum coarsely and irregularly sculptured, with variable

number of discrete shiny granules Which are irregularly disposed; sometimes

with traces of a very narrow median carina. Elytra broadly ovate, somewhat

flattened on disc, surface + even but with a shiny granule associated with

each strial puncture (these larger in female than in male); interstriae with a

few minute setiferous granules; elytral processes large, stout and cone-shaped

in both sexes, with mesal aspect extensively swollen, more elongate and more

steeply rising in male, apex with short fringe of setae, whitish anteriorly, pale

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 127

brown posteriorly. Mesepisterna strongly punctate and setose but (apparently)

scale-free; arms of mesosternum smooth and bare. Legs as in A. sedlaceki but

more slender; femoral setae smaller and mostly recumbent. Venter with

irregular transverse rugulae, coarsely or obscurely punctate and throughout

with prominent semi-erect pale setae. Sexual dimorphism slight (see above);

EPI 120, 121 (0), 112, 115 (9).

Genitalia. One male and 1 female dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs

23, 24) x 3.0 as long as broad and x 0.59 as long as pronotum; flagellum

coiled into a ring, as in A. sedlaceki but shorter, x 2.06 as long as pronotum.

Spermatheca (Fig. 25) with duct x 1.32 as long as pronotum.

Comments. The genitalia show that this species belongs to the avus group, of

Which it may prove to be the largest member. The prominent rostral carina,

from which it takes its name, occurs also in some A. suppuratus Thompson

and in some A. fordi sp. n. but in these species it is either less well defined or

is divided by a fine longitudinal groove. The prominent elytral strial granules

resemble those of A. canus. In my key (Thompson 1977) the male runs to A.

atrigenua, except that the knees are not black; the female runs to A. canus but

in that species the median rostral carina is indistinct. The type locality

extends the range of the avus group about 160 km in a southwesterly

direction and across the Kikori river.

Range. Southern Highlands (Mt Bosavi). Altitiude: 2300 m.

hydrographicus group

Medium-sized species, occurring in eastern Papua. Elytra + globose, with

pale lateral stripe in males; rostrum with edges of pterygia milled in both

sexes and females without long erect setae on postero-ventral margin of

prothorax (cf. cornutus group); median lobe of aedeagus widening around

phallotreme and with blunt apex (Thompson 1977, figs 154, 156, 158, 159).

Apirocalus (A.) inornatus Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 C, 1 $, Central District, “Morokai/

Brit. N. Guin.” (printed) (MNHN).

Comments. These specimens may be from the same series as the types, which

are both female. The male confirms that, as in A. vexillarius Marshall, sexual

dimorphism in this species is slight. The female, at 9.8 mm, is significantly

larger than the types (8.0 and 8.8 mm).

cornutus group

This group includes the common lowland “grey weevils' in which the

antennal scape is flattened and non-capitate; sexual dimorphism is strong: all

males have blade-like elytral processes and the rims of the rostral pterygia are

milled; most females have blunt elytral angulations and smooth pterygia; they

also have a fringe of large erect setae on the postero-ventral margin of the

prothorax (Thompson 1977, fig. 243). In two cases (A. cornutus paradoxus

128 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Thompson and A. c. bosavii subsp. n.) the females resemble males except that

the elytral processes are curved and tapering.

Apirocalus (A.) cornutus cornutus Pascoe

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 32 Qo, 23 99, Papua, Gulf District,

Lakekamu Basin, Tekadu, 200-400 m, 28.ii-1.iii.1998, A. Riedel (53 AR, 2 BMNH);

I 9, Tekado-Kakaro, Ivimka River Station, 150 m, 4.iii.1998, A. Riedel (AR). i

Comments. The Lakekamu river is about 60 km east of Kerema.

Apirocalus (A.) cornutus virescens Thompson

(Figs 54, 55)

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 Vo, 2 99, Morobe District, Watut-

Aseki, Engabena, 1700 m, 14.iv.1974, J.L. Gressitt (BPBM); 1 o, Southern

Highlands, Orakena [20 km SE of Lake Kitubu], 26.vii.1974, N. Howcroft (BMNH).

Bionomic data. “Trema [Ulmaceae] foliage" (Howcroft's specimen; this

specimen was determined as A. paradoxus by M.L. Cox in 1985).

Correction. The paratype from Koibuga (near Mt Hagen) has been re-

identified as A. c. paradoxus. The specimen is very teneral and both elytral

processes were folded over while it was soft; their fringes appear somewhat

darkened posteriorly (as in A. c. virescens) but the aedeagus agrees

unequivocally with that of A. c. paradoxus.

Apirocalus (A.) cornutus paradoxus Thompson, stat. n.

(Figs 58, 59)

Apirocalus paradoxus Thompson, 1977: 239.

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 o, Western Highlands, Koibuga,

1500 m, 3.vii.1963, H. Clissold (BPBM). This specimen is a paratype of A. c.

virescens (see above).

Comments. The discovery of A. c. bosavii subsp. n. (see below), which is

intermediate between A. c. cornutus and A. c. paradoxus, makes the

maintainance of the latter as a distinct species untenable, notwithstanding its

more elongate aedeagus and uniformly pale elytral process fringing setae.

Apirocalus (A.) cornutus bosavii subsp. n.

(Figs 56, 57)

Types. Holotype 9, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Southern Highlands, Mt Bosavi, 900 m,

11.v.1975, J.L. Gressitt, “6358' (in BPBM). Paratypes: | 0, same data as holotype;

1 ©, 3 99, ditto, except 800-900 m and Gaya; 1 9, ditto, except 700 m and 12.v.1973;

lo", 1 9, ditto, except 5.v.1973 and Gaya; | 0%, ditto, except 5.v.1973 and ‘6352' (8

BPBM, 2 BMNH); 2 OG, 2 99, “Bosavi”, xi.1973, H. Ohlmus; 4 O'G, ditto, except

v.1975; 1 ©, ditto, except vii.1975; 1 o, 1 9, ditto, except vii.1975 (8 BPBM, 3

BMNH).

Description. Length 8.4-10.0 mm. Differs from the nominate subspecies as

follows: scales on body smaller, greyish green, not imbricate, those on legs

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 129

Figs 53-59. Apirocalus (A.) cornutus group. (53) A. grossus, holotype male; (54, 55)

A. c. virescens, male, female; (56, 57) A. c. bosavii, male, female; (58, 59) A. c.

paradoxus, male, female.

130 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

mostly smaller still, mostly iridescent blue-green and separate but large, pale

and imbricate on swollen part of hind femur dorsally; metasternum and

venter with minute thinly-scattered metallic scales; female with setae on

postero-ventral edge of prothorax smaller or absent, those on mesepisternum

larger, widening progressively from base to sharply truncate apex; rims of

pterygia milled in both sexes (as in A. c. paradoxus); antennae as in A. c.

virescens; elytral processes of male more elongate, on average (EPI 132-

140), those of female elongate and curved, as in A. c. paradoxus; median lobe

of aedeagus slightly more elongate, x 2.54-2.60 as long as broad and x 0.62-

0.68 as long as pronotum; internal sac with pigmented denticles in proximal

section (as in A. c. paradoxus). Differs from A. c. paradoxus as follows:

elytral processes of male with setae of terminal fringe dark posteriorly (as in

A. c. cornutus), processes of female blunt and less elongate: EPI 126-141

(mean (9) = 137), paradoxus 143-153 (mean (8) = 147); median lobe of

aedeagus distinctly less elongate (paradoxus x 3.7-4.2 as long as broad).

Comments. This subspecies is intermediate, morphologically, between A. c.

virescens and A. c. paradoxus; the male has the short median lobe of the

former while the female has the extraordinary elytral processes of the latter

and, like it, exhibits male secondary sexual characters (Thompson 1977); in

fact, the male can only be distinguished from that of A. c. virescens by the

presence of pigmented denticles in the proximal (posterior) section of the

internal sac.

Range. Southern Highlands (Mt Bosavi). Altitude: 700-900 m.

Apirocalus (A.) mus Thompson

Additional published record. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe Province, Gusap

airstrip, iv.1976, on Acacia (Greve and Ismay 1983).

Apirocalus (A.) ebrius ebrius Faust

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 co, Papua, Milne Bay, Waiwara,

10.x.1969, E. E. Ball (C.W. O’Brien coll.). INDONESIA (WEST PAPUA): 1 €,

Jayawijaya Province, Membaham, 1500-1800 m, 23.ix.1991, A. Riedel; 1 C, ditto,

except Membaham-Helargi, Wamena, 17.ix.1991; 1 O', ditto, except Angguruk-

Membaham, 22-26.ix.1991; I O', Cyclops Mts, 4 km N of Sentani, 600 m, 8-

13.ix.1990, Balke and Hendrich; 1 0’, Sentani, c. 300 m, 19-21.ix.1990, A. Riedel (all

AR).

Comments. The record for Waiwara extends the mainland range of A. ebrius

by over 200 km to the east; this species probably occurs throughout the

eastern extremity of mainland Papua.

Apirocalus (A.) ebrius wagneri Thompson

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2 oco, 3 99, Huon Peninsula, W of

Pindiu, 1000-1400 m, 23.iv.1998; 1 O', 2 99, Mindik, 1200-1500 m, 26.iv.1998; 1 ©,

Mindik, 1400-1500 m, 27.iv.1998; 2 OC", Saruwaged Mts, Boana, 1000-1500 m, 21-

22.x.1992, all A. Riedel (all AR).

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 131

Comments. These records extend the range of this subspecies by about 30 km

to the south-east.

Apirocalus (A.) grossus Sp. n.

(Figs 28, 29, 53)

Type. Holotype 0, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, range between Aseki

and Menyamya [7°18'S, 146908'E], 2000-2200 m, 12.iv.1998, A. Riedel (in ZS).

Riedel has skillfully dissected the specimen without removing the venter.

Description. Male. Length 11.0 mm. Black, except antennae reddish black

and femora dark red (knees blackish). Head as in A. cornutus except frons

level with rostrum in profile and evenly convex transversely between eyes;

rostro-frontal furrow narrower; upper surface of rostrum with an irregular

carinula between median carina and side; scales small, mostly brown,

contiguous or separate, setae mostly pale; antennae with scape flattened but

very slender and almost as long as pronotum (x 0.8 as long in A. cornutus),

covered with small subcircular weakly iridescent scales and small pale

curved setae (about as in A. cornutus); funicle segments scale-free but with

recumbent silky hairs, all of similar width, segment 1 strongly clavate, x 2.43

as long as broad, 2 weakly clavate, x 1.18 as long as 1 and x 2.86 as long as

broad, 3 as long as 1 and x 2.14 as long as broad, 4-7 subequal, x 0.7 as long

as l and x 1.7 as long as broad; club fusiform, as long as 3 preceding funicle

segments, x 2.92 as long as broad, segments 1 and 2 subequal. Prothorax

resembling that of A. cornutus in shape; pronotum covered with dense,

somewhat irregular, sometimes coalescing shiny bead-like granules,

interspaces with very small iridescent pearly scales, setae very fine, very

small and inconspicuous; sides with obsolete granules and much larger brown

scales; anterior border of prosternum with large erect pale setae. Elytra

somewhat as in A. cornutus but processes proportionately larger, flatter and

broader, with longer and anteriorly more extensive seta-fringes, fringing setae

almost uniformly pale brown (dark posteriorly in A. cornutus); EPI 142; strial

punctures on disc obscured by scales, strial granules prominent, much larger

than surrounding scales, interstrial granules scale-sized, numerous only in

basal third; scales generally large, imbricate, orange-brown becoming even

larger but paler and less dense on processes, those on declivity strongly

imbricate, pale creamy brown; setae minute and inconspicuous.

Mesepisterna, arms of mesosternum and vertical sides of metasternum with

separate or contiguous orange-brown scales, about half as large as those on

disc of elytra. Legs as in A. cornutus, except scales much smaller and mostly

separate; all tarsal segments with recumbent silky hairs but no scales.

Ventrites I and 2 and disc of metasternum broadly and evenly depressed,

with some weak, irregular transverse rugae, surface throughout

microreticulate; scales very small, mostly separate (even towards sides),

round or ovate, pale blue-grey with strong pearly reflection; setae small, fine,

pale, semi-erect or subrecumbent; ventrites 3-5 scale-free, with minute pale

132 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

sub-erect setae; surface of 5 uneven, with obsolete pre-apical fovea. Sexual

dimorphism unknown but likely to be well marked, as in A. cornutus.

Genitalia. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 28, 29) x 3.1 as long as broad and x

0.47 as long as pronotum; apodemes x 2.5 as long as median lobe; flagellum

x 4.4 as long as median lobe and x 2.07 as long as pronotum.

Comments. This species most closely resembles 4. hornabrooki Thompson

from Karkar 1. but is at once distinguished from it by its strongly and densely

granulate pronotum. The elytral processes diverge more strongly than in that

species; in fact their spread is equal to the distance from their tips to the

scutellum, as in some A. cornutus virescens. A. grossus runs to couplet 49 in

my key (Thompson 1977) and is one of the largest species of Apirocalus

(hence the name); the others are A. hornabrooki and A. ater Thompson, both

of which occur on off-shore islands. 4. grossus was taken with A. sedlaceki

laminifer subsp. n. and A. specillifer sp. n.

Range. Morobe District (SW). Altitude: c. 2000m.

acutus group

Elongate species with small, sharply angulate elytral processes in the male

(reduced in female) and a strongly capitate antennal scape (in both sexes);

median lobe of aedeagus elongate, apex acuminate.

Apirocalus (A.) specillifer sp. n.

(Figs 30-32, 46)

Types. Holotype 0, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Morobe District, range between Aseki

and Menyamya [7°15'S, 146°08'E], 2000-2200 m, 12.iv.1998, A. Reidel (in ZS).

Paratype O', same data as holotype (BMNH). Both specimens have been dissected.

Description. Male. Length 7.4-7.5 mm. Head, body and tarsi black; antennae

and legs (except tarsi) reddish black. Scales on body dense, orange-brown or

green, dull or metallic; on femora, tibiae and antennal scape smaller, absent

from antennal funicle and tarsi; setae mostly fine and pale or hyaline, minute

on dorsum. Head with eyes small and very strongly convex, bun-shaped,

longest diameter scarcely equal to half distance between them; antennae with

funicle segment 1 slightly shorter than 2, 3-7 subequal (7 longest) and x 0.6-

0.7 as long as 2; club x 2.54-2.75 as long as broad and about as long as four

preceding funicle segments; setae on leading edge of scape very fine,

suberect, mostly pale. Prothorax slightly (x 1.1) longer than broad (but

appearing distinctly longer), disc of pronotum flattened, surface throughout

finely granulo-rugose. Elytra as in A. acutus but processes slightly more

divergent; EPI 123, 134 (acutus 140, 142). Mesepisternum smooth and

polished anteriorly but with a cluster of punctures and small scales

posteriorly; arms of mesosternum with or without a few small scales. Venter

as in A. acutus. Sexual dimorphism unknown but, by analogy with A. acutus,

it is likely that the elytral processes of the female are reduced to oblique

ridges.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 133

Genitalia. Two males dissected. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 30-32)

elongate, strongly curved, x 3.5-3.7 as long as broad and x 0.8 as long as

pronotum, apex strongly attenuated; apodemes x 1.4-1.5 as long as median

lobe; flagellum x 0.47-0.55 as long as pronotum; internal sac with irregular

row of large sharp pigmented denticles in basal three-fourths of length.

Comments. A. specillifer is the second species of the acutus group; it closely

resembles A. acutus in general appearance but is smaller and the male has

normal fore femora (not arched in basal half). The attenuation of the aedeagal

apex is very distinctive and suggested the name (“probe-bearer”). In spite of

this, the antennae of the two available specimens are disconcertingly

different: in the holotype, the scape is much stouter, the funicle segments

swollen and the basal segment of the club widens abruptly at the base (evenly

and progressively widening in the paratype).

Range. Morobe District (SW). Altitude: c. 2000 m.

Genus Albertisius Thompson

Type species Apirocalus gestroi Pascoe.

Albertisius excellens (Faust) (see Thompson 1977)

Material examined. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 9, Papua, Mt Obree, 1890, von

Mueller (MNHN).

Comments. Mt Obree is in the Owen Stanley Range about 100 km east of

Port Moresby, where this species has hitherto been found.

Acknowledgements

I thank Dr G.A. Samuelson (BPBM) and Alexander Riedel (AR) for the loan

of specimens and Dr R.W. Hornabrook (Auckland) for the loan of specimens

previously studied. I was able to search for material at BPBM in 1992, thanks

to the support of the late Dr E.C. Zimmerman of Canberra. I also wish to

thank my colleague, Dr Chris Lyal, for reading the manuscript and Janet

Camp for computer assistance.

References

ANON. 1970. An alphabetical list of villages in Papua and New Guinea. University of Papua

New Guinea, Waigani; 2 + [103] pp.

BROWNE, F.G. 1968. Pests and diseases of forest plantation trees. An annotated list of the

principal species occurring in the British Commonwealth. Clarendon Press, Oxford; xi + 1330

pp.

GREVE, J.E. van S. and ISMAY, J. W. (eds) 1983. Crop insect survey of Papua New Guinea

from July Ist 1969 to December 31st 1978. Papua New Guinea Agricultural Journal 2: i-iv, 1-

120.

THOMPSON, R.T. 1977. A revision of the New Guinea weevil genus Apirocalus Pascoe

(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Entomology

Series 36(5): 193-280.

134 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

The following notes on new butterfly distribution records are abstracted from the

News Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Queensland and were first published

during 2004 in the volume and parts indicated.

Candalides margarita (Semper) [Lycaenidae] - Since 2000, this species has been

collected south of Forster, NSW, in areas near Newcastle, at 15 km N of Raymond

Terrace, Medowie, Nelson Bay, Mt Sugarloaf and Caves Beach. More recently, it was

collected on a hilltop near Wyong where, a decade earlier, it was not encountered.

These records provide significant range extensions and suggest that the species has

been actively extending its range over the past decade. At present, there are no records

for Sydney. - The extending range of Candalides margarita Semper in New South

Wales? - Russell Mayo and Ed Petrie - 32(5): 113-114 (2004).

Allora doleschallii (C. Felder) [Hesperiidae] - Not previously recorded with certainty

from the Iron Range area of Cape York Peninsula, Qld, this species was collected on

three occasions (26 Aug. 1999, 24 Aug. 2001 & 26 Aug. 2001) at Gordon Creek, Iron

Range. Numerous other specimens were observed at the same locality. It often flies

with 4. major (Rothschild) but apparently becomes active earlier in the day,

sometimes seen as early as 0930 h, while 4. major usually appears about an hour or so

later. - Allora doleschallii (C. Felder) confirmed from Iron Range - Russell Mayo -

32(5): 114-115 (2004).

Yoma sabina parva (Butler) [Nymphalidae] - On 20 March 2004 a single fresh

specimen was collected in Townsville, Qld, in a well vegetated riparian forest and

floodplain environment on the upper Bohle River at Kelso. A badly worn specimen

was observed the next day and a third, fresh specimen on 22 March. No further

specimens were noted. This unusual southern incursion occurred during a period of

strong monsoonal activity which might help explain the observations. Foodplants for

this species occur in Townsville but no previous observations south of the Atherton

Tableland have been reported. This extension of around 250 km is considerable for

such a large butterfly. On 28 June 2004 another specimen was present in the same

location, presumably an offspring from reproductively active adults in March. - A

significant southern extension of Yoma sabina parva (Butler) Lepidoptera:

Nymphalidae - Peter Valentine - 32(5): 115-116 (2004).

Acrodipsas brisbanensis brisbanensis (Miskin) and A. arcana (Miller & Edwards)

[Lycaenidae] - Both species were collected recently near Greenbank, SE Qld, about

25 km from Brisbane. A. b. brisbanensis is a variable species over its range

(especially the females) and material from this locality, so close to the type locality of

Brisbane, may assist with determination of its subspecific variation. A. arcana is best

known from its type locality (Grafton, NSW) and the Greenbank specimens provide a

new locality record. A. arcana is otherwise known in Queensland from Isla Gorge,

Carnarvon Range and Expedition Range. - Interesting records of Lycaenidae from

near Brisbane - Michael and Don Sands - 32(7): 179 (2004).

Ogyris zosine zosine (Hewitson) and O. genoveva genoveva (Hewitson) [Lycaenidae]

- Near Greenbank, SE Qld, both species were collected from exactly the same locality.

Although not unexpected, it is interesting that they share the same habitat close to

Brisbane suburbs. - Interesting records of Lycaenidae from near Brisbane - Michael

and Don Sands - 32(7): 179 (2004).

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3): 135-140 135

PSOCOPTERA OF BARREN GROUNDS NATURE RESERVE,

NEW SOUTH WALES

C.N. SMITHERS

Research Associate, Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney, NSW 2010

Abstract

Thirty-nine known species of Psocoptera are recorded and one new species, Heterocaecilius

jordanorum sp. n., is described from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales. As

collecting time was limited and collecting was mainly by beating, the numbers taken suggest that

there are many more species to be recorded from the Reserve.

Introduction

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve is about 120 km south from Sydney, inland

from Kiama, on one of the southerly plateaus of the Sydney basin. Access is

from the Moss Vale to Kiama road. It is about 12 km from Jamberoo and

about 17 km from Robertson. Occupying well over 1000 hectares, it is on a

sandstone escarpment and supports a variety of vegetation types, including

heathland, woodland, higher dense scrub and some tall forest.

Faunal surveys of areas set aside for the preservation and maintenance of

biodiversity tend to concentrate on vertebrate animals, this despite the fact

that invertebrates make up a considerable proportion of the biomass and form

an extremely important part of ecosystems. Such neglect is particularly

noticeable where the animals concerned are small, inconspicuous or belong to

taxonomically poorly-studied groups, a state of affairs common to many

insects groups. One such insect group is the order Psocoptera (psocids or

barklice). These feed mainly on microflora, populations are often large and

they are important in that they are responsible for making resources tied up in

the microflora available to other parts of the food chain.

This paper deals with Psocoptera collected on three brief visits to Barren

Grounds Nature Reserve in the 1980s. Visits were made from 12-14 March,

1984 (by C.N. Smithers, A.S. Smithers and B. Duckworth), on 1 March, 1985

(by CNS and ASS) and on 11 and 12 January, 1986 (by G.A. Holloway). On

the first occasion 37 species were collected, including one undescribed

species. The second collection included seven species, of which two had not

been collected previously. On the third visit two species were collected, one

of which had not been collected on either of the previous visits. Apart from

the brief use of a Malaise trap on 11 and 12 January, 1986, all specimens

were collected by beating. In all, 40 species were obtained in fewer than five

days collecting. This suggests that collecting at other seasons and using other

collecting techniques, such as pit traps, Malaise trap and Berlese funnels, in

addition to beating, would reveal the presence of many more species and give

a better indication of the true nature of the psocopteran fauna.

To my knowledge, there are no other collections of Psocoptera from Barren

Grounds Nature Reserve. The following, therefore, is a list of all species so

136 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

far recorded from there and includes a description of the new species. All

material is in the Australian Museum, Sydney.

Psocoptera known from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

CAECILIUSIDAE

Aphyopsocus prolixus Smithers. 1 07, I nymph, wet sclerophyll, 13.1i1.1984.

Maoripsocus concavistigma (Schmidt & Thornton). 1 9, Banksia woodland,

12.iii.1984.

Maoripsocus dimorphus (Smithers). 1 9, 1.1ii.1985.

Maoripsocus tugloensis (Smithers). 1 07, 3 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.i11.1984;

3 œ, 8 9, rain forest, 14.i11.1984.

Maoripsocus wilsoni (Schmidt & Thornton). 1 9, 1.iii.1985.

Paracaecilius lemuris Smithers. 4 o, 5 9, 2 nymphs, wet sclerophyll,

13.11.1984.

Valenzuela pteridii (Smithers). 1 0’, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984; 2 9, wet

sclerophyll, 13.111.1984.

AMPHIPSOCIDAE

Taeniostigma trickettae Smithers. 1 07, 2 nymphs, rain forest, 14.11.1984.

ECTOPSOCIDAE

Ectopsocus albiceps Smithers. 1 07, 5 9, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Ectopsocus aldretei Smithers. 1 0’, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Ectopsocus briggsi McLachlan. 8 0’, 14 9, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984;

1 C, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Ectopsocus petersi Smithers. 1 0’, Griffith trail, 13.111.1984.

Ectopsocus pilosoides Smithers. 1 0", 10 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984.

PERIPSOCIDAE

Peripsocus hamiltonae Smithers. 1 07, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984; 2 ©,

4 9, 1.1ii.1985.

Peripsocus maoricus (Tillyard). 13 07,26 9, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984.

Peripsocus milleri (Tillyard). 1 07, 1 9, Banksia woodland, 12.11.1984; 1 CO,

1 e, Griffith trail, 13.11.1984.

Peripsocus morulops (Tillyard). 10 0%, 20 9, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984.

Peripsocus tillyardi New. 1 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984; 1 9, rain forest,

14.1ii.1984.

PSEUDOCAECILIIDAE

Austropsocus antennalis Thornton & New. 1 C, 13.iii.1984.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 137

Austropsocus omega Thornton & New. 2 0, 8 9, 4 nymphs, rain forest,

14.111.1984.

Austropsocus sinuosus (Banks). 1 9, Griffith trail, 13.iii.1984.

Austropsocus viridis (Enderlein). 1 &', 1 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984; 1 9,

rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Chorocaecilius brunellus (Tillyard). 8 o, 4 9, 1 nymph, Griffith trail,

13.11.1984; 4 07,3 9, 1.iii.1985.

Cladioneura pulchripennis Enderlein. 1 07, 1 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984.

Heterocaecilius lachlani (Enderlein). 9 o, 9 9, Banksia woodland,

12.11.1984; 20, 1.iii.1985.

Heterocaecilius mouldsi Smithers. 1 9, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Mepleres alettae (Smithers). 2 0', 7 9 (one brachypterous), 7 nymphs, Nature

trail, 13.11.1984; 2 o, 3 9, rain forest, 14.iii.1984; 1 o”, 2 9, wet sclerophyll,

13.i11.1984.

Mepleres papillosus (Schmidt & Thornton). 1 9, Banksia woodland,

12.11.1984; 2 9, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984; 1 9, Griffith trail, 13.111.1984;

1 €, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Heterocaecilius jordanorum sp. n.

(Figs 1-7)

Types. Holotype 0, NEW SOUTH WALES: Barren Grounds Nature Reserve,

14.iii.1984, C.N. Smithers, A.S. Smithers, B. Duckworth. Paratype 9, same data as

holotype. Both in Australian Museum, Sydney.

Description: Male: Colouration (in alcohol). Head pale buff with dark brown

marks as follows: an elongate, irregularly-shaped spot on each epicranial

plate not reaching level of lateral ocelli; a smaller round brown spot on each

side at level of ocellar tubercle; an elongate, diffuse pale brown area from

ocellar tubercle towards postclypeus; a clearly defined black patch between

antenna base and compound eye; a short, diffuse pale brown mark on each

side of midline of postclypeus. These marks stand out clearly against the pale

background of the front of the head. Genae, labrum and maxillary palps pale.

Antennae very pale brown. Eyes black. Ocellar tubercle situated in an

irregular black patch. Pronotum pale with irregular lateral dark brown marks.

Mesonotum pale brown, a fine brown line along mesial border of lateral lobes

and a small black spot anterior to wing base; scutellum pale, dark brown

laterally. Metanotum as mesonotum but marks less extensive. Thoracic pleura

with irregular, longitudinal dark brown band from behind head to base of

abdomen. Legs pale. Forewings (Fig. 1) hyaline with slight brown infuscation

at distal ends of main veins and distal end of pterostigma. Abdomen pale with

large, conspicuous, irregular black patches on each side of the first three

basal segments.

138 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Morphology. Length of body: 2.2 mm. Seen from in front head almost

rectangular in outline. Vertex fairly sharp, not broadly rounded. Vertex

almost straight and fairly strongly angled laterally above eyes. Three

exceptionally large setae arise on vertex, one behind ocellar triangle and one

each side from the dark pigment spot. Anterior margin of the postclypeus

almost straight. Median epicranial suture fine but distinct; anterior arms

evanescent. Epistomial suture absent. Length of flagellar segments: fl: 0.57

mm, f2: 0.45 mm. Eyes large, protruding, not reaching level of vertex. IO/D:

1.8; PO: 0.85. Hind legs not measured (missing from male but female claws

have very small preapical tooth on metathoracic legs only; other claws

toothless). Forewing length: 2.8 mm; width: 1.0 mm. Pterostigma broadened

distally. Costa in pterostigma very strongly thickened, especially at proximal

end of pterostigma. R; broadened near junction with wing margin. Rs+M

fused for as long as basal section of Rs. All veins (except glabrous Cu») with

more than one row of setae. Wing margin with more than one row except

hind margin basad of Cup. R;.5, M> and M; with a short spur vein in both

wings of holotype. Rs very strongly sinuous basad of division. In hind wing

Rs with a few setae near distal end, R»,;, R4. and M setose. Veins in basal

half of wing glabrous. Some setae of hind margin cross each other, some

setae longer than others. Hind margin of tergites 9--10 thickened to form a

transverse bar. Epiproct (Fig. 5) with smoothly rounded hind margin, with a

short, heavily sclerotized, blunt, median, posteriorly-directed process;

glabrous except for irregular submarginal row of strong setae and a very large

posteriorly directed marginal seta at midpoint of hind margin. Paraproct (Fig.

4) singularly featureless for a paraproct apart from a large trichobothrial field;

paraproct rounded basally, tapering posteriorly. Hypandrium (Fig. 3) largely

lightly sclerotized but with a heavily sclerotized posterior band into which are

incorporated symmetrically arranged pointed apophyses and spurs.

Phallosome (Fig. 2). Parameres extend well beyond the aedeagus. Basally the

phallic frame is formed by two long, parallel plates joined only by a

membranous connection at the anterior end. Aedeagus simple, the two halves

meeting posteriorly at a narrow angle, each broadened basally where they are

attached to the parameres. Penial bulb lacks well defined sclerites.

Female. Colouration (in alcohol). As male but markings darker.

Morphology. Length of body: 2.3 mm. Head shape similar to male but lateral

angles of vertex a little more rounded and upper margin of vertex a little

sinuous. Length of flagellar segments: fl: 0.37 mm; f2: 0.27 mm. Eyes much

smaller than in male. IO/D: 2.8; PO: 6.6. Measurements of hind leg: F: 0.2

mm; T: 0.33 mm; tl: 0.063 mm; t2: 0.025 mm; rt: 2.52:1; ct: 15,0. Claws

have very small preapical tooth on metathoracic legs only; other claws

toothless. Forewing length: 2.6 mm, width: 0.85 mm. Venation and

arrangement of setae as in male. Spurveins on veins R23, M; and M; reduced

to mere vestiges in positions similar to those of male. Epiproct a simple plate,

rounded behind with row of strong setae near anterior margin and a few small

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 139

dispersed median setae near hind margin. Paraproct (Fig. 7) lightly

sclerotized, ovoid, with strongly developed ridge defining anterior border of

trichobothrial field; a band of long, finely pointed setae runs across the

paraproct from bottom to top, ending on a shallow dome near the upper end.

Subgenital plate simple, with bilobed hind margin, a pair of setae near hind

margin of each lobe; curved hind margin very finely spiculate between lobes.

Gonapophyses (Fig. 6). Ventral valve with membranous flange, ending in

finely spiculate point; dorsal valve broad, rounded distally, with preapical

spur which is pointed and spiculate near end; external valve transverse.

bearing a setose dome.

Figs 1-7. Heterocaecilius jordanorum sp. n. (1-5) male: (1) forewing; (2) phallosome;

(3) sclerotisations of hypandrium; (4) paraproct; (5) epiproct. (6-7) female: (6)

gonapophyses; (7) paraproct.

140 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Comments. Heterocaecilius jordanorum differs from the other four

Australian species of the genus Heterocaecilius Lee & Thornton in the

exaggerated curvature of the radial sector of the forewings, the presence of

short spur-veins arising from R»,;, M; and M; (all more conspicuous in the

male than in female), the pattern of dark marks on the front of the head and

the bold lateral black patches on either side of the abdomen near its base.

Etymology. This species is named for Pat and Richard Jordan, in recognition

of their work and dedication as the first Wardens at Barren Grounds.

PHILOTARSIDAE

Haplophallus sinus Thornton & New. 1 O 8 9, Banksia woodland,

12.11.1984; 1 O', wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984.

Philotarsopsis paraguttata (Thornton & New). 1 €, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

ELIPSOCIDAE

Drymopsocus brunneus Smithers. 1 9, rain forest, 14.iii.1984.

Pentacladus eucalypti Enderlein. 2 9, Banksia woodland, 12.11.1984; 3 C,

5 9, 1.11.1985; 2 9, Banksia woodland, 11-12.i.1986.

Propsocus pulchripennis (Perkins). 1 07, ex malaise trap, 11-12.1.1986.

PSOCIDAE

Blaste taylori New. 1 0, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984.

Blaste tillyardi Smithers. 1 nymph, wet sclerophyll, 13.iii.1984.

Ptycta campbelli Schmidt & Thornton. 13 ©, 7 9, Banksia woodland,

12.iii.1984.

Ptycta emarginata New. 1 9, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984.

; MYOPSOCIDAE

Myopsocus australis (Brauer). 1 9, Banksia woodland, 12.iii.1984.

Myopsocus furcatus Smithers. 2 9, Banksia woodland,, 12.iii.1984; 1 9,

1.ii1.1985.

Acknowledgements

I thank the Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service for permission to

work in Barren Grounds Reserve, my wife Smila, Geoffrey Holloway and

Barbara Duckworth for assistance in the field and Pat and Richard Jordan for

their hospitality and advice on the Reserve during our fieldwork.

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3): 141-144 141

A NEW SUBSPECIES OF DELIAS RILEYI JOICEY & TALBOT

(LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE) FROM WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA

ROBERT I.C. GOTTS! and SCOTT G. GINN?

122 Dungara Place, Winmalee, NSW 27 77

722 Beechwood Parade, Cherrybrook, NSW 2126

Abstract

Delias rileyi erici subsp. n. is described and figured from the Korupun area, West Papua,

Indonesia. A key to all known subspecies of Delias rileyi Joicey & Talbot is provided.

Introduction

Delias rileyi Joicey & Talbot was described from a single male from Menoo

Valley (Weyland Mountains), West Papua (Joicey and Talbot 1922) but was

not listed by either Roepke (1955) or D'Abrera (1972, 1977, 1990).

Subsequently, D. rileyi yofona Schróder & Treadaway has been recorded

from Wissel Lake (Schróder and Treadaway 1982), Tembagapura and Paniai

(van Mastrigt and Sibatani 1991). Van Mastrigt and Sibatani (1991) extended

the known distribution of the species as far east as longitude 138°E, including

D. rileyi nishizawai van Mastrigt & Sibatani from Ilaga and Ilu-Mulia. Since

then, the species has been obtained from much farther east at Korupun, ca

140?E. Specimens from Korupun have previously been included with D. r.

yofona, which is the nearest population to the west. However the differences

between the two populations are quite marked and they are well separated

geographically. On the strength of these differences and the isolation of the

two populations, a new subspecies is proposed for specimens from Korupun.

Depositories are abbreviated as follows: AMS - Australian Museum, Sydney,

RG - R. Gotts collection, GG - G. Gerrits collection.

Delias rileyi erici subsp. n.

(Figs 1-2)

Types. Holotype 0", INDONESIA (WEST PAPUA): Asso River, Korupun, 20.xi.1995

(in AMS). Paratypes: 5 OG", same data as holotype except 18, 23, 25.1x.1995 (in

RG).

Description. Male (Figs 1-2). Forewing length 25-29 mm. Forewing

upperside white with black costa and apex, the latter enclosing a subapical

arc of five clearly defined white spots; apical black area not reaching

discocellulars; discocellulars and proximal parts of spaces M, and M; black,

enclosing two grey cells in spaces M, and M». Forewing underside white with

dark brown apical area filling distal 40% of wing from an irregular line

extending from costa to tornus and just including the discocellulars; two pale

yellow subapical spots followed by four smaller white sub-terminal spots, the

last rather faint; apex and termen lighter brown beyond these spots; a narrow,

irregular white postmedian band, usually of three conjoined spots, not quite

connecting to discal white area; basal and anterior part of cell yellow.

li Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Figs 1-2. Delias rileyi erici subsp. n., holotype male. (1) upperside; (2) underside.

Scale bar = 10 mm

Hindwing upperside white with continuous black terminal margin thickening

at vein ends and towards apex. Underside dark brown with terminal white

lunules edging the scallops between the veins and a sub-terminal yellow spot

in each space; a thin yellow central streak in each discal space and a yellow

spot in the cell; mid-costa with a trapezial white patch 4-5 mm long

becoming yellow posteriorly before terminating at Mo. A second smaller sub-

costal pale yellow spot midway between base and larger sub-costal patch.

Female. Not recorded. The female of D. r. yofona was illustrated by Gotts

and Pangemanan (2001) and Yagashita er al. (1993) depicted the female of

D. r. nishizawai.

Etymology. D. r. erici is named for Eric Gotts, a grandson.

Comments. The four subspecies of D. rileyi may be divided into two groups

by the extent of the dark apical area on the forewing upperside. In D. r.

yofona there is, on the forewing underside, a distinct gap between the apical

black margin and the bold discocellular bar. In D. r. erici, as in the other two

subspecies, there is no such gap.

Diagnosis is also based on the series of five well defined subapical white

spots on the upperside of the forewing in D. r. erici (reduced or absent in all

other subspecies) and on the characteristics of the dark margin on the

hindwing upperside, which in D. r. erici is intermediate between the bold

margin of D. r. nishizawai and the thin margins of the other two subspecies.

Discussion

Delias rileyi is a montane species found at altitudes above 1450 m (Mastrigt

and Sibatani 1991). Its various populations are geographically isolated by

Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3) 143

broad river valleys and lowlands that separate the main mountain chains of

the region.

In all four subspecies the hindwing underside pattern is very similar, although

the orange-yellow central spot on the hindwing underside is slightly larger in

D. r. erici than in the others. Diagnosis is made mainly on the basis of the

upper and underside of the forewings and the upperside of the hind wings. D.

r. yofona is the geographically nearest subspecies to D. r erici but differs by

the thinner and more reduced hindwing upperside black margin. The gap

between the discocellular bar and the apical black area of the forewing

underside is usually reliable as a first identifier for D. r. yofona.

D. r. nishizawai is readily separated by its bold hindwing upperside margin

and by yellow filling most of the cell of the forewing underside. The short

band between the discocellular bar and the apical brown area is partly yellow,

not white.

On the upperside forewing D. r. rileyi and D. r. nishizawai have the apical

black area reaching the discocellulars but the latter has a boldly black

hindwing margin, tapering smoothly towards the tornus, while D. r. rileyi and

D. r. yofona both have minimal black hindwing margins, fairly bold at the

apex but broken or absent or extremely thin in the lower parts of the

hindwing margin.

Only D. r. erici has the five white spots of the forewing upperside apical area

clearly defined. D. r. rileyi and D. r. yofona have two to four faintly visible

spots and occasionally a trace of a fifth, while D. r. nishizawai may have two

very faint spots or none at all. Similarly, in D. r. erici the yellow submarginal

spots of the hindwing underside are also better defined, being more rounded

and set on a darker ground colour than in the other subspecies.

Odd specimens from other areas suggest that other presently unnamed

subspecies of this species may exist. Two males from Wesi River, Baliem

Valley (GG) are very similar to D. r. erici but the subapical spots of the

forewing upperside are not well defined and are closer in appearance to those

of D. r. yofona. The hindwing upperside markings are also less bold than

those of D. r. erici but bolder than in D. r. yofona. Since Korupun is situated

in the catchment basin of a different river system, there is a case to be made

for separating the Baliem population as a further subspecies, but the

differences and the number of specimens are small and no firm decision can

be made at this time. Pending further study they are grouped with the

Korupun subspecies, since to include them with D. r. yofona would be to

distort the range of variation and the geographic distribution of that group. A

specimen of D. rileyi from Ilaga agrees in most respects with D. r. nishizawai

but lacks the extended yellow area in the cell of the underside forewing. The

localities of these specimens do not place them as intermediary forms

between the described subspecies.

144 Australian Entomologist, 2005, 32 (3)

Other material examined. INDONESIA (WEST PAPUA): 5 dO, 2 99,

Tembagapura (RG); 2 070”, Magoda, Weyland Mts. (RG); 3 oo", Mulia

(RG); 209, Baliem Valley, (GG); 1 €, Ilaga (RG).

Key to subspecies of Delias rileyi i

I Forewing upperside black outer margin extends to discocellular veins ... 2

- Forewing upperside black outer margin does not reach discocellular veins

2 Forewing underside discal cell with only basal third yellow ... D.r. rileyi

- Forewing underside discal cell almost filled with yellow ..................... E

D.r. nishizawai

3 Forewing upperside with the five white subapical spots reduced or absent;

forewing underside with the black discocellular bar not joined to outer

apical black area; hindwing upperside with the dark margin narrow and

not always reaching tornus mee a aE D.r. yofona

- Forewing upperside with five well defined white subapical spots;

forewing underside with the black discocellular bar touching or broadly

joined to the outer apical black area; hindwing upperside with the dark

margin bold and heavily beaded at apices of veins .................... D.r. erici

Acknowledgements . '

The authors are indebted to Henk van Mastrigt, Godfried Gerrits and Norris

Pangemanan for the specimens used for this study.

References

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Melbourne; 415 pp.

D'ABRERA, B. 1977. Butterflies of the Australian Region, 2nd ed. Lansdowne Editions,

Melbourne; 415 pp.

D'ABRERA, B. 1990. Butterflies of the Australian Region, 3rd, revised edition. Hill House,

Melbourne and London; 416 pp.

GOTTS, R. and PANGEMANAN, N. 2001. Mimika butterflies, Quality Press, Osborne Park,

Western Australia; 287 pp.

JOICEY, J.J. and TALBOT, G. 1922. New forms of the genus Delias (Pieridae) from New

Guinea, Ceram and Buru. Bulletin of the Hill Museum 1(2): 303-319.

ROEPKE, W. 1955. The butterflies of the genus Delias Hübner (Lepidoptera) in Netherlands

New Guinea. Nova Guinea 6: 185-260.

SCHRÓDER, H. and TREADAWAY, C.G. 1982. Neue Delias-Formen aus West-Irian,

Neueguinea (Lep.: Pieridae). Entomologische Zeitschrift (Frankfurt am Main) 92(23): 334-338.

VAN MASTRIGT H. and SIBATANI, A. 1991. A study of Delias rileyi from Irian Jaya,

Indonesia. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam) 51(1): 2-6.

YAGASHITA, A., NAKANO, S. and MORITA. S. 1993. An illustrated list of the genus Delias

Hübner of the World. Khepera Publishers, Tokyo; 409 + vi pp.

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THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 32, Part 3, 15 September 2005

CONTENTS

EMERY, D.L., EMERY, S.J., EMERY, N.J. AND POPPLE, L.W.

A phenological study of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in western

Sydney, New South Wales, with notes on plant associations.

GOTTS, R.I.C. AND GINN, S.G.

A new subspecies of Delias rileyi Joicey & Talbot (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

from West Papua, Indonesia.

SMITHERS, C.N.

Psocoptera of Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales.

THOMPSON, R.T.

New species and records of Apirocalus Pascoe ep Curculionidae:

Entiminae: Celeuthetini) from New Guinea.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

ISSN 1320 6133