Chloracantha lampra Hebard
Creators: name: Rentz, Dcf
name: Su, You Ning
name: Ueshima, Norihiro
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Orthoptera
Phaneropteridae
Chloracantha
Chloracantha lampra

description: Chloracantha lampra Hebard
Figs. 3A–D; 4A–L; 20A–B; 22A; Table 1; Map 1 Tiny Snub-nosed Katydid
Chloracantha lampra Hebard, 1922, Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 74: 173, Plate XIV, figs. 15, 16, Plate XV, fig. 2.
urn:lsid: Orthoptera.speciesfile.org:TaxonName:5244x
Holotype male. Labels. 1. “ Townsville, Queensland”. 2. “ ANIC 14-008483”. Holotype (Fig. 3A, B) deposited in Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra in agreement with Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
Type locality. There is no further information on the collection of the type. It seems unlikely that the specimen was collected in Townsville. It is more probable that it came from the mountainous region near Townsville, perhaps around Paluma. The specimens collected from Kuranda were from a simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderately to poorly drained metamorphics (Regional Ecosystem 7.11.1 EPA, 2007).
Differential diagnosis. The ventral margin of the pronotum is distinctive in both sexes in its armature and colour (Fig. 3C, 4A). This species is most closely related to C. angularis sp nov. based on this character and feature of the genitalia. The male cercus (Fig. 3D) is unique in the lack of development of the external tooth and the reduced production of the male phallus (titillator). The female supra-anal plate is very prominent, about twice as long as broad and apically narrowed and then sub-truncate.
General. A moderately large species with orange spots on the tegmina and a narrow yellow band on the anterior margin of each tegmen.
Male. Head. Frons not appreciably concave when viewed laterally, surface smooth, genae not swollen. Fastigium of vertex (Fig. 4B, D) with a distinctive sulcus, narrowed at each end and with a tubercle on each side at base. Antennal scape well produced on internal margin, anterior margin of dorsal surface bearing a minute tooth.
Thorax. Pronotum with anterior margin with 3 minute tubercles on each side and a single tubercle on each side caudal to those on the cephalic margin (Fig. 3C, 4C); lateral margin with a pair of teeth on each segment, the second tooth on the metanotum about half the size of the other; surface of disk cut by 2 undulating sulci continuous onto lateral lobe; lateral lobe with a single minute tubercle (Fig. 4C) in the middle of the pro- and metanotum; ventral margin of lateral lobe with a continuous row of small tubercles, those in the region of the black stripe larger than the others. Thoracic auditory spiracle minutely circular. Sternum with prosternal processes not appreciably thickened, close-set and not abruptly narrowing apically. Mesosternum with anterior margin of plates not deeply divided, with teeth on each side and of uniform size. Metasternum with few or no tubercles.
Legs. Fore coxa with a very elongate spine. Fore tibia with 4 spines on each side of ventral surface and an apical spine on each side. Middle tibia swollen in proximal one-third and armed with 4 spines in apical one-third on anterior margin and an apical spine, posterior margin with 3 spines and an apical spine. Hind tibia with a number of tooth-like spines on each margin of dorsal surface and no apical spine; ventral surface with 5–6 spines on each angle and a single apical spine on each side.
Wings. Tegmen (Fig. 4E, 20 A–B) extending well beyond middle of hind femur at rest (Fig. 4B); apex blunt (Fig. 4A,B, 20 A–B), anterior margin straight, posterior margin slightly concave proximally. Coastal field with an irregular row of large cells, with narrow, irregular cells along anterior margin; anterior margin with a thin yellow stripe; veins of tegmen light green. Wing with radius divided in apical third; cross-veins slightly emphasised by colour; stridulatory file (Fig. 4F).
Abdomen. Tenth tergite with cerci turned inwards, concealed on all dry-mounted specimens; caudal margin of tenth tergite not deeply incised; cercus robust (Fig. 3D), slightly incurved, apical tooth short, robust about equal in length to internal tooth; subgenital plate shallowly incised (Fig. 4G), lateral projections rather elongate; titillator (Fig. 4J) weakly sclerotized and enclosed in a sheath.
Female. Differs in considerably larger size (Table 1) and in following characters: metanotum with a small tubercle on each side in anterior region; caudal margin of disk minutely tuberculate and feebly incised in the middle; subgenital plate (Figs. 4K, L) about as long as broad with a projection at base; apex tapering, acute with a shallow median incision. Ovipositor (Figs. 4H, I) minutely serrated on ventral margin near the apex.
Colour. Overall colour green with a number of orange spots on each tegmen (Figs. 4A, B); anterior margin of tegmen yellow, this extending to apical quarter. Abdomen creamish white, ringed with green, this rather obscure.
MAP 1. Known distributions for Ο Chloracantha lampra Hebard and • C. angularis Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov.
Specimens examined. Paratypes: Queensland: 16.48’S 145.38’E (GPS) QLD. Kuranda, 335 m (Top of the Range) 19 Butler Dr 1–15.i.2011, 16–31.iii. 2011, 16–31.i.2012, 16–31.i.2010, 1–15.ii.2014, 16–31.xii.2011 (D. C. F. Rentz, 4 males, 2 females, ANIC). 17o19’36”S 145o47’52”E Wooroonooran Nat. Pk (Palmerston Hwy) (Mamu Canopy Walk), 357 m, 10.xii.2011 (D. C. F. Rentz Stop 40, 1 male, ANIC). Fishery Falls, Nat. Pk., 16.i.1995 (L. Ring, 2 males, ANIC). 17o25’53.26”S 145o51’33.64”E Josephine Falls, Nat. Pk, ca. 190 m, Wooroonooran Nat. Pk 10.xii.1994, 12.xii.1994 (L. Ring, 1 male, 1 female, ANIC); same locality, 8.ii.1995 (L. Ring, 1 male, Cytol. prep. 95-13; Song recorded S-909, ANIC). 17o28’S 146o0’E Garradunga, Polly Ck., nr Innisfail, 20.xii.1990, 10.ii.1990, 2.ii.1995, 17.i.1996, 15.i.1997, 11.i.1998, 20.ii.1998, 26.xii.2006, 20.i.2007, 10.ii.2007 (J. Hasenpusch, 5 males 7 females, ANIC, QMUS). Mt Bellenden Ker, xii.1981 (K. Preston-Maffam, 1 male, ANIC). 17o18’S 145o57’E Babinda, Krukow Rd, 12.ii.2012 (D. C. F. Rentz, G. Wilson, Stop 12-8, 2 males, ANIC). 17o20’S 145o52’E The Boulders, 6 km W. Babinda, 5.xi.1973 (K. H. L. Key, 1 female, Key’s Field notes, trip 185, stop 57975.9, ANIC).
Song. Fig. 22A
Comments. This species is fairly common on understorey shrubs and saplings along rainforest margins. Males often are carried on the backs of the much larger females (Fig. 2, Table 1). This behaviour has not been noted in other Australian tettigoniids but has been observed especially in the related C. garradunga sp. nov., and C. angularis sp. nov. This behaviour is not uncommon amongst some acridoids such as monistriine pyrgomorphs. Reasons for this pick-a-back behaviour are speculative but could be described as males defending their claim on a female for sexual purposes or using the much larger females to ferry them to food sources.
Chloracantha angularis 1 Rentz, Su, Ueshima, sp. nov. Angular-winged Snub-nosed Katydid
Figs. 5A–D; 6A–H; 20C–D; 22B–D; 25A–E Table 2; Map 1
Holotype male. Labels. 1. “ 17o07’S 145o38’E Mt Haig Rd, 10 km ENE of Tinaroo Dam wall, Atherton Tableland, 3 Febuary1988, D. C. F. Rentz, Stop A-14”. 2. “Cytol. prep. 88-71”. 3. “Song recorded S-513”. 4. “ ANIC 14- 008484”. Holotype (Fig. 5A–D) deposited in Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra.
Type locality. The type locality is a mixture of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest. The type was collected along the rainforest margin on a low shrub.
Differential diagnosis. The ventral margin of the pronotum is distinctive in its armature and colour (Figs. 6B, C). It is most closely related to C. lampra based on this character. The male cercus is unique in its elongate shape and the projection of the external tooth (Fig. 6D); the male phallus (titillator) (Fig. 6E) is elongate and very weakly sclerotised. The margin of the plate of the mesothorax is weakly divided in the middle of the anterior margin, each side bearing a series of more or less uniform teeth along the margin. The female supra-anal plate is twice as broad as it is long, the apical margin evenly obtuse and smooth.
General. A small, delicate species with golden spots on the tegmina.
Male. Head Frons feebly concave when viewed laterally, surface smooth, genae not appreciably swollen. Fastigium of vertex narrowly triangular, not produced above antennal scrobes; surface with deep median sulcus. Antennal scape feebly produced on internal margin, anterior margin of dorsal surface with a minute tooth.
Thorax. Pronotum with anterior margin with 3 minute tubercles on each side and a few placed in the middle (Fig. 5C), lateral margin with 2 blunt teeth (Fig. 5C) mesonotum with 2 blunt teeth laterally, metanotum with 2 teeth and a smaller, more blunt tooth on latero-posterior angle; lateral lobe with disk sulci continuous almost to ventral margin (Figs. 5C, 6C), pro- and metanotal surface of lateral lobe each with a small tubercle in the middle; posterior margin of metanotal region of lateral lobe with 3 minute tubercles positioned in median 1/3; ventral margin of lateral lobe minutely and irregularly serrate or tuberculate. Thoracic auditory spiracle minutely circular. Sternum with prosternal processes thickened, close-set, but abruptly narrowing apically. Mesosternum with anterior margin of plates divided and with a prominent tooth on each side, lateral margin evenly tuberculate, posterior margin with an acute projection internally. Metasternum with less prominent tubercles along margins.
Legs. Fore coxa with an elongate spine. Fore tibia with a number of minute spines along both margins of ventral surface; apex armed with a minute spine on each side. Middle tibia armed with 3–4 minute spines on both margins of ventral surface; apex with a minute spine on each side. Hind tibia with approximately 13 minute spines on internal margin of dorsal surface, each separated by a number of stout setae, external margin with 5–6 minute tooth-like spines similarly separated by stout setae, apex unarmed; ventral surface with 6 spines on internal margin, 5 spines on external margin, apex with a single spine on each side.
Wings. Tegmen (Fig. 6B) extending to posterior fifth of hind femur at rest; apex acute, anterior margin straight, posterior margin weakly produced (Fig. 5A, 20 C, D). Costal field produced with large cells, the accompanying veins white. Wing with radius divided in basal third; cross-veins emphasised by colour.
1. Named with reference to the distinctive curvature of the tegmen of both sexes of the species.
Abdomen. Tenth tergite with cerci turned inwards and concealed on all dry-mounted specimens; caudal margin of tenth tergite not deeply incised; cercus slender, straight, external tooth straight (Fig. 6D) about equal in length to that of apical tooth; supra-anal plate (Fig. 6D) broadly triangular, apex obtuse, extending to apical quarter of cercus; subgenital plate shallowly incised, the lateral projections short, robust; titillator (Fig. 6E) fused, base broad, apex broadly obtuse, very poorly sclerotised.
Female. Differs in considerably larger size (Table 2) and following characters: metanotum with a small tubercle on each side in anterior region; tegmen (Fig. 6B); wing with cross-veins less emphasised by colour; tenth tergite produced tongue-like, caudal margin smoothly obtuse; cercus elongate, slender directed posteriorly; subgenital plate about as broad as long, without projection at base, apex tapering and with a shallow median incision. Ovipositor with tip minutely serrate on ventral margin (Fig. 6F, G).
Colour. Overall colour green with variable number of orange or yellow orange spots on tegmina, variable in position; often one or more creamish irregular large white spots in middle of tegmen. All spotting bilaterally symmetrical. Abdomen ringed with purple, the intensity decreasing caudally.
Specimens examined: Paratypes: Queensland: 15o53’S 145o13’E Mt Misery Rd, 730 m 1–3.i.1991 (ANZSES Expedition, 1 male, QMUS). 15o48’S 145o17’E Mt Finnigan, 37 km S. Cooktown, 19–22.iv.1982 (Monteith, D. Yeates, D. Cook, 1 male, QMUS). 17o26’S 145o42’E Hughes Rd, Topaz, 650 m, 4–5.xii.1993 (G. Monteith, D. Cook, Janetszki, 1 male, QMUS). 17o02S 145o37E Davies Ck., (15 km from Kennedy Hwy) 1.iii.1988 (D. C. F. Rentz, 1 male, Cytol. prep. 88–134, ANIC). 16o34’S 145o16’E Mt Lewis 8 km WNW of Julatten, 10.xii.1985 (J. Balderson, 1 male collected as nymph, matured in laboratory, 15.i.1986; Cytol. Prep. 86- 10; Song Recorded S-394, ANIC). Ca. 16o35’S 145o17’E Mt Lewis Rd., below gate, 25.i.2014 (D. C. F. Rentz, G. Wilson, Stop 3, 1 male, ANIC). 17o 02’S 145o36’E Davies Ck Rd., Lamb Ra., Dinden Nat. Pk. Kahlpahlim Trail, 15.ii.2012 (D. C. F. Rentz, Stop 12-9, 1 female, ANIC). 17o15S 145o38E Lake Barrine, Atherton Tableland, 28.i.1988 (D. C. F. Rentz Stop A-8, 1 male D. C. F. Rentz; Cytol. prep. 88-17; Song recorded S-482; 2 females, one collected as nymph, matured 28.vi.1988, ANIC); same locality 12.xii.2007 (D. C. F. Rentz, D. T. Gwynne, stop 20, 1 female, ANIC). 17o43’S 145o31’E Koombooloomba Rd, Charmillin Walking Track, 19.i.2009 (D. C. F. Rentz, 2 females, ANIC). 17o06’S 145o37’E Mt Haig Rd, 11 km NE of Tinaroo Dam wall, Atherton Tableland, 5.ii.1988 (D. C. F. Rentz, Stop A-15, 4 males 1 female, Cytol. preps. 88-34, -35, -75 -121; Song recorded S- 528, -561, ANIC). 17o05’S 145o35’E Mt Haig, 22 km NE by N. of Atherton, 16.iii.1988 (D. C. F. Rentz, Stop A-35, 1 female, ANIC). 17o17’S 145o34’E Curtain Fig, 2 km SSW. of Yungaburra, 21.i.1988 (D. C. F. Rentz, Stop A-2, 1 females, ANIC). 17o17’S 145o38’E Wright Ck., nr Lake Eacham, nr Atherton, 9.xii.1985 (J. Balderson, 1 female, ANIC). 17o27’S 145o28’E Longlands Gap State For., (off Hwy 1), 1110m, 8.i.2011, (D. C. F. Rentz, B. Richardson Stop 2, 1 male, ANIC). Same locality, 30.i.2012 (D. C. F. Rentz, B. Richardson, Stop 12-6, 1 male, ANIC). Upper Boulder Creek, 10 km N. of Tully, 800 m, 4–5.xii.1989 (G. Monteith, G. Thompson. Janetski, 1 male, QMUS). 17o06’S 145o37’S GS2 Mt Edith 1050 m, 4–31.v.1995 (P. Zborowski, 1 male, ANIC). Other specimens: 16o35’75.”S 145o21.75”E (GE) Kingfisher Park, Julatten, 423 m, 25.i.2014 (D. C. F. Rentz, 1 last instar male (Fig. 6H, photographed but not collected, not paratype). Measurements (in mm). Holotype male. Body w/wing 14.0; pronotum, length 3.4; pronotum, width 2.6; fore femur 7.8; middle femur 6.0; hind femur 12.3; tegmen length 11.0.
Song. Figs. 22B–D.
Comments. This is the smallest known species in the tribe and is very delicate and slow moving. The antennae are extraordinarily elongate, perhaps ten times the length of the body when the antennae are intact. It lives in understorey vegetation as illustrated in Fig. 27 B. This species is common some years and rare in others. As noted previously, females lay eggs in dead wood.
Cytology. Fig. 25 A–E.
Chloracantha garradunga 2 Rentz, Su, Ueshima, sp. nov. Garradunga Snub-nosed Katydid
Figs. 7, 8A–H, 20 E, F; Table 3; Map 2
Holotype male. Labels 1. “ 17o28’S. 146o0’E Qld. Garradunga, Polly Creek, nr Innisfail, 8.II.1995, J Hasenpusch”. 2. “ ANIC 14-008485”. Holotype deposited in the Australian National insect Collection, Canberra.
Type locality. The type locality is a patch of secondary growth lowland rainforest with a considerable diversity of undergrowth shrubbery.
Differential diagnosis. Great disparity in size between males and females as in Chloracantha lampra Hebard (Fig. 2). Ventral margin of pronotum not distinctive in armature, with a few scattered tubercles along its lower margin. Metasternum with large plates with edges irregularly tuberculate; anterior margin not divided. Male tenth tergite produced, with a narrow median incision. Male cercus similar to other species, concealed beneath posterior margin of tenth tergite, phallus represented as a weakly sclerotised triangular plate (Fig. 8G); subgenital plate very elongate, extending well above tenth tergite at rest. Female supra-anal plate narrowly triangular, at least 3 times longer than broad. Ovipositor feebly tuberculate near tip.
Male. Head. Frons generally smooth but surface feebly undulating, surface mostly straight when viewed laterally, genae not appreciably swollen. Fastigium of vertex relatively prominent (Fig. 8A), but ending before the margin of antennal scrobes; surface with a deep sulcus with sides carinulate. Frontal fastigium replaced by median ocellus. Antennal scape not greatly swollen on internal margin, but carinate, anterior margin of dorsal surface lacking a minute tooth.
2. Named with reference to the type locality where the majority of specimens have been collected.
Thorax. Pronotum with anterior margin truncate and with tubercles well beyond margin (Fig. 8C); lateral margin with 3 blunt teeth; mesonotum with 2 larger teeth, metanotum with 2 more prominent teeth followed by 3– 4 smaller, tubercle-like teeth (Fig. 8C); surface of disk cut by 2 sulci, the first sulcus straight, that of mesonotum undulating, disk with multiple small tubercles but those on the anterior portion of disk more concentrated, caudal margin of disk smooth, convex; lateral lobe with dorsal sulci continued, parallel and often connected ventrally but not to ventral margin; pro-, meso- and metanotal surface of lateral lobe each with a few scattered minute tubercles; ventral margin of lateral lobe poorly defined, not raised, undulating and with a few tubercles on margin. Thoracic auditory spiracle minutely circular. Sternum with prosternal processes close-set, acute, broad basally, apex blunt; mesosternal process strongly cup-shaped, not incised anteriorly, margins irregularly minutely tuberculate; metasternum process broadly cup-shaped, low, posterior margin deeply incised, not incised anteriorly, margins smooth, not tuberculate.
Legs. Fore coxa bearing an elongate spine. Fore femur distinctly bowed. Fore tibia armed ventrally with many short spines along both margins, apex armed with a minute spine on each side, scarcely larger than adjacent spines. Middle tibia slightly expanded in basal quarter, unspined dorsally but bearing a number of minute setae near apex on posterior surface; ventral surface spinal pattern similar to that of fore tibia, apex with a minute spine on each side. Hind tibia armed on dorsal surface with approximately 20 spines on each side, apex without apical spines; ventral surface with a similar number of much longer spines, mostly concentrated in apical quarter, apex with a single spine on each side.
Wings. Tegmen (Figs. 20 E, F) extending to apical third of hind femur at rest; apex acute, anterior margin straight to feebly obtuse, posterior margin evenly feebly obtuse. Costal field bearing large, irregular, connected pentagonal cells. Wing with radius divided nearly at its base, then subsequently divided; stridulatory region poorly defined (Fig. 8B).
Abdomen. Tenth tergite produced (Figs. 8D), shallowly incised in the middle; phallus triangular (Fig. 8G); subgenital plate (Fig. 8E, F) very elongate, shallowly incised apically, the lateral projections rather robust.
Female. Differs from male in its extraordinarily larger size (Table 3, Fig. 7) and following characters: tegmen (Fig. 20 F) with 4–5 veins extending posteriorly from main veins, a series of large, closed cells emanating from each of these veins and all interconnected; supra-anal plate very elongate, about 2.5 to 3 times as long as broad, apex obtuse; cercus elongate, slender, directed caudad; subgenital plate a little longer than broad, with a prominent obtuse projection laterally in the middle, apex rather blunt and shallowly incised. Ovipositor minutely tuberculate near apex.
Egg. Flat, disk-like eggs are apparently laid in dead wood or cracks in bark (Fig. 8H).
Colour. Colour in life green, frons greenish yellow. Tegmen without spots, veins slightly darker than cells. Abdomen greenish yellow, each tergite ringed with purple.
Specimens examined. Paratypes: Queensland: 17o00’S 145o50’E Pine Ck (nr CSIRO tower) 111km SE by S. of Cairns, 8.iii.1988 D. C. F. Rentz, Stop A-18, 2 females in Malaise trap, ANIC). 17o28’S 146o0’E Garradunga, Polly Ck., nr Innisfail, 7.xii.1992, 27.xi.1993, 18.i.1994, 16.x.1994, 26.x.1994, 14.i.1995, 18.i.1995, 25.i.1995, 27.i.1995, 7.ii.1995, 28.ii.1995, 28.x.1995, 11.xii.1997, 2.i.1998, 7.i.1998, 7.ii.1998, 12.ii.1998, 15.iii.1998, 23.xi.2000, 19.ii.2006, 6.i.2006, 26.ii.2006, 19.xi.2006, 20.xi.2006, 2.xii.2006, 8.i.2007, 16.i.2007, 19.i.2007, 21.i.2007, 12.i.2008, 24.i.2007, (J. Hasenpusch, 15 males, 22 females, ANIC). 16 o 48’S 145 o 38’E (GPS) Kuranda, 335m (Top of the Range) 19 Butler Dr, 1–15.iii.2003, 15–31.iii.2003, 15–30.iv.2003, 15–30.xii.2003, 1– 15.xii.2004, 1–15.ii.2007, 16–28.ii.2007, 16–31.i.2008, 1–15.xii.2007, 16–31.i.2010, 1–15.i.2012, 16.iv.2012 (D.
C. F. Rentz. 11 males, 1 female, ANIC). Kuranda, 23.i.1982 (W. N. B. Quick, 1 male, ANIC). 16o47’S 145o35’E 25 Cadagi Dr, Russet Park, 313m, iv.2011 (P. Shanahan, 1 female, ANIC). Green Forest Rd, Kuranda N.Q., 19.ii.2006 (R. Rogers, 1 female, ANIC).
Comments. This species is unlike the others in the genus with the armature of the surface of the pronotum, the spination of the legs and the pitted aspect of the head. It does resemble the others, especially C. lampra, in the minute size of the female subgenital plate and the reduced armature of the tip of the ovipositor.
MAP 2. Known distribution for Chloracantha garradunga Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov.
Chloracantha hilleri 3 Rentz, Su, Ueshima, sp. nov. Hiller’s Snub-nosed Katydid
Figs. 9A–I, 20 G, H; Table 4; Map 3
Holotype male. Labels. 1. “Mt Glorious 635m, rainforest, 22 km NW of Brisbane, S. E. Qld. light Feb. 1985 Anthony Hiller Coll.”. 2. “ ANIC 14-008486”. Holotype deposited in the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra.
Type locality. The type series was collected on low shrubbery along the rainforest margin.
Differential diagnosis. This new species is very distinctive in size and morphology. The fastigium of the vertex (Fig. 9A) bears converging carinae laterally with a distinct tubercle basally. The armature of the pronotum is reduced (Fig. 9B) compared to the other species but the sternum bears short, divergent prosternal processes similar to those in T. spininota gen. et sp. nov. p. 24; the meso- and metasternal plates are cup-like and unarmed on their margins (Fig. 9E). The shape of the tegmen (Figs. 20 G, H) in both sexes is proportionately broader than in the other species and the development of the male tenth tergite is unlike that of any other known species in the genus. The broad incision of the male tenth tergite is distinctive as is the shallow incision of the male subgenital plate. The female bears a minute subgenital plate with a small median incision. The ovipositor is unarmed (Fig. 9H). The overall colour of the species is green with no distinctive colour spots on the tegmina. The holotype bears vague white spots in the centre of each cell on the tegmina.
3. Named in honour of Tony Hiller who has collected many interesting insects in the vicinity of Mt Glorious, Queensland.
General. A moderately large species with distinctive markings and known only from Mt Glorious.
Male. Head. Frons mostly smooth, surface shining, but with indistinct minute sulci, profile slightly concave when viewed laterally, genae not swollen. Fastigium of vertex prominent, not exceeding margin of antennal scrobes but extending to middle of antennal scape and bearing lateral carinae (Fig. 9A) with a tubercle on each side at base. Frontal fastigium poorly indicated, triangular in outline and enclosing median ocellus. Antennal scape not swollen on internal margin and bearing a minute tooth on dorsal surface.
Thorax. Pronotum with anterior margin slightly projecting in the middle and not armed with tubercles along the edge; posterior margin evenly obtuse and not armed; surface of disk with 2 blunt teeth laterally on pronotum, meso- and metanota with 2 blunt teeth on each; surface of disk with minute tubercles; surface of disk cut by 2 nearly straight transverse sulci and a poorly indicated median sulcus; lateral lobe with surface cut by the two sulci which are parallel, surface with a few scattered tubercles, mostly concentrated in ventral cephalic region, anterior margin concave and with a few scattered tubercles, posterior margin feebly concave and with 2–3 minute tubercles. Thoracic auditory spiracle minutely circular. Sternum with prosternal processes short, stout, apically divergent; mesosternal processes plate or cup-like, margins not armed, posterior margin deeply incised; metasternal process broadly cup-shaped, lateral margins feebly undulating, posterior margin deeply incised medially.
Legs. Fore coxa bearing an elongate spine. Fore femur quadrate in cross section, unarmed, genicular lobe unarmed. Fore tibia armed ventrally with 17 spines on anterior margin, one apical in position, posterior margin with 11 spines, one apical in position. Middle femur subcylindrical; genicular lobes unarmed. Middle tibia armed ventrally on anterior margin with 14 spines, one apical in position, posterior margin with 14 spines, one apical in position. Hind femur elongate, not greatly expanded basally, ventral surface unarmed; genicular lobes unarmed. Hind tibia quadrate in cross section, dorsal surface armed on both margins with several short spines, none apical in position, ventral surface with many more elongate spines on both sides, a single spine on each side apical in position.
Wings. Tegmen (Figs. 20 G, H) extending to apical half of hind femur at rest; apex subacute, anterior margin straight; hind margin evenly convex; right stridulatory area (Fig. 9C) with elongate mirror; left tegmen with stridulatory area moderately well defined, mirror elongate with weak pattern of veins laterally. Hind wing with Cu, Rs, and M nearly parallel, the M diverging and with 2 principal branches. Anterior portion of tegmen darkened and distinct from the remainder. Costal field with large number of very irregularly shaped cells. Wing with anterior portion darkened, venation well developed.
Abdomen. Tenth tergite (Fig. 9F) produced, with a broad shallow median incision. Cercus short, stout, tooth apical in position; supra-anal plate about 1.5– 2 x as long as broad, apex obtuse, surface sparsely setose. Titillator (Fig. 9G) broadly triangular, base broad, apex acute. Tenth tergite apex shallowly incised.
Female. Differs from male in size but disparity not as great as in other species. (Table 4). Tenth tergite very broad; supra-anal plate elongate, about 2.5 x as long as broad, apex acute. Tegmen with Rs with 4 veins extending diagonally from middle of tegmen with a series of large regular cells at base, becoming smaller and more irregular near posterior margin of tegmen.
Colour. Colour generally uniformly green (Fig. 9I), anterior portion of hind wing distinctly darker green than the rest.
Specimens examined. Paratypes: Queensland: Mt Glorious, 635 m, 11.i.1973, 27.i.1979, vii.1985 A. Hiller, 1 male, 2 females (ANIC, QMUS).
Comments. This is one of a number of tettigoniid species, such as Diastella hilleri Rentz, Su, Ueshima that occur in the Mt Glorious area. It is distinctive and doubtlessly occurs elsewhere but to date is known only from the type locality.
MAP 3. Known distributions for ♦ Tallebudgeroptera spininota Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov. and • C. hilleri Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov.
Tallebudgeroptera 4 Rentz, Su, Ueshima, gen. nov. Spiny Snub-nosed Katydids
Type species: Tallebudgeroptera spininota Rentz, Su, Ueshima, gen. et sp. nov., here designated.
This species is so distinctive that it cannot be placed in any recognised genus. It is related to Chloracantha on the basis of its overall body shape and shape of its tegmen (Fig. 20 M). The armature of the pronotum is the key to its placement (Fig. 10A). The posterior margin of the disk is heavily spinose, a condition not shared with any other species in the Australian Simoderini. This genus and species is known only from females.
Differential diagnosis. Females. Overall body shape similar to Chloracantha species. Females have the tegmina shaped similar to those of Narea elongata. The antennae are not thickened as they are in Narea species. The supra-anal plate is roundly tongue-shaped (Fig. 10G). The ovipositor is robust and minutely, irregularly serrate dorsally (Fig. 10H) and the subgenital plate is minute (Figs. 10E, F).
General. Body robust, not delicate, of moderate to large size for tribe. Males unknown. Females with distinctive tegmina (Fig. 20 M), apically acute. Ovipositor thick and heavy, minute, irregularly serrate subapically on dorsal margin (Figs. 10H, I).
Head. Head narrow when viewed dorsally, well seated in pronotum, strongly slanting in lateral aspect; frons feebly undulating, bulging slightly below fronto-clypeal suture. Fastigium of frons represented as a minute, low linear carina at the base of the antennal scrobes and with a minute tubercle (median ocellus) on its ventral margin; fastigium of vertex (Fig. 10A) short, triangular and with a deep sulcus in the middle and with a minute tubercle (lateral ocellus) at its base on each side. Eyes positioned high on head, moderately bulging, horizontally depressed. Antennal scrobes prominent, pedicel with a swelling on internal surface; occiput smooth, without sculpture, feebly tumid.
Thorax. Pronotum with surface flat (Fig. 10A), regularly pitted, surface cut by two sulci, the posterior sulcus forming a distinctive “V” in the middle; anterior margin of disk straight, without teeth or tubercles, posterior margin distinctively spiked (Fig. 10A); lateral margins of disk with 2 heavy spikes on pro- and mesozona, metazona with 3 larger spikes laterally; lateral lobes with margins smooth, unarmed (Fig. 10B). Thoracic auditory spiracle minute, elongate, not concealed by pronotum. Sternum with prosternum armed with a pair of elongate, slightly divergent spikes (Fig. 10D); mesosternum with cup-like lobe, the margins minutely serrate, metasternum with margins smooth (Fig. 10D).
Legs. Legs elongate, slender. Fore coxa armed with a short, stout spine; fore femur slender, carinate on all margins, dorsally smooth, unspined, genicular lobes armed with a robust spine on each margin. Fore tibia elongate, very slender, carinate on all margins, dorsal surface unarmed, ventral surface armed on both margins with a few scattered spines, apex with a small spine on each side; tympanum open and of similar size on each side (Fig. 10C). Middle femur short, gently arching, unarmed on both surfaces; genicular lobes armed with a stout spine on each side; middle tibia quadrate, carinate on both surfaces, slightly swollen basally, dorsal surface unarmed, ventral surface armed with a number of spines on each margin, apex with a small spine on each side. Hind femur very elongate, only slightly swollen basally, armed only on outer ventral margin with stout tooth-like spines, emphasized by colour; genicular lobes armed on both margins with a single stout spine; hind tibia elongate, carinate on both surfaces, slightly swollen basally, dorsal surface armed on both margins with relatively elongate spines, ventral surface armed with a smaller number of more slender spines; apex of ventral surface with a pair of spurs, only slightly longer than adjacent spines, dorsal surface unarmed apically.
Wings. Tegmina reaching well beyond apex of abdomen, tegminal venation (Fig. 20 M) with costal field with irregular cells; costa, if present, very faintly indicated; median and radius parallel for near their entire length and diverging apically. Media Anterior vein most prominent, with regular veins and cells dorsally and ventrally. Hind wing with costa well developed, diverging cephalically apically, subcosta and radius parallel for nearly their entire length.
Abdomen. (Female) Tenth tergite appearing indented; supra-anal plate (Fig. 10G) tongue-shaped; cercus short, conical, about ¾ the length of supra-anal plate; subgenital plate (Figs. 10E, F) disproportionally small compared to size of insect, produced on each side at base. Ovipositor (Figs. 10H) short, robust, feebly serrated subapically on dorsal margin (Fig. 10I).
4. Named with reference to the locality; feminine gender.
Colour. Overall colour dark green. Most of the original colour is changed due to preservation. Pronotal spikes yellow with tips dark brown. Outer surface of femora appear to have had a brown longitudinal stripe in life.
Tallebudgeroptera spininota 5 Rentz, Su, Ueshima, gen. et sp. nov. Tallebudgera Spiny Snub-nose
Figs. 10A–I, 20 M; Table 5; Map 3
Holotype female. “ Mt Cougal Upper Tallebudgera Ck S. E. QLD 500m 7 Mar. 1988 G. B. Monteith”. Holotype in the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Queensland.
Type locality. The collector, G. B. Monteith reports (in litt.) that the type locality is rainforest and Mt Cougal is a rocky pinnacle on the spine of a ridge which runs from the Springbrook Plateau down to the coast behind Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. The border between NSW and Qld actually runs along the same ridge so Cougal is right on the border, and the track to walk to Mt Cougal runs beside the border fence. The katydid was found in adjacent rainforest.
Differential diagnosis. Known only from females. Pronotum with very elongate spines on lateral margin; ventral margin of lateral lobe smooth, with 1–2 minute tubercles or no tubercles at all. Prosternal tubercles widely spaced, divergent. Mesosternum with plates very broad, only feebly notched along cephalic margin; metasternum with plates not defined. Tenth tergite with supra-anal plate tongue-like, about 1.5x as long as broad, apex obtuse; cercus tapering but apically bent, directed inwards. Subgenital plate minute, with shallow, broad median incision. Ovipositor minutely tuberculate, serrulate on dorsal margin near tip.
Locality Length Length Width Length Length Length Length Length
Body Pronotum Pronotum Fore femur Middle femur Hind femur Tegmen Ovipositor
Females
Holotype 27.5 9.6 7.8 14.0 11.1 27.2 36.5 16.3 Paratopotypes
13.i.1988 26.5 9.1 7.4 13.0 10.7 24.9 33.2 - 16.ii.1986 31.7 9.8 8.0 12.8 11.2 25.1 35.9 15.8 Female. Head. Frons generally smooth but with low undulations; genae minutely and uniformly pitted, somewhat swollen. Fastigium of vertex prominent, ending before margin of antennal scrobes; surface with a deep elongate sulcus, the sides carinulate. Frontal fastigium minute but well defined and with a minute tubercle at base. Antennal scape elongate, anterior margin with a minute, hook-like tooth.
Thorax. Pronotum with anterior margin truncate, without armament; lateral margin (Fig. 10A) with 2 blunt spiniform teeth; mesonotum with a similar pair of teeth; metanotum with 3 spines, the posterior spine very elongate relative to the others; surface of disk minutely and uniformly pitted and tuberculate, cut by 2 shallow, thin sulci, the second sulcus concave in the middle (Fig. 10A); lateral lobe with anterior margin straight, with a few minute tubercles ventrally (Fig. 10B), posterior margin ascending caudad, ventral margin undulating and with a few tubercles near cephalic angle; caudal margin with a series of irregular spines and tubercles. Thoracic auditory spiracle minutely circular or crescentic in shape. Sternum with prosternal processes widely separated, divergent, apices sharp; mesosternal processes feebly cup-shaped, margins minutely serrate; metasternum with plates not modified at all.
Legs. Fore legs very elongate; coxa bearing a minute spine, scarcely discernable. Fore femur feebly bowed, dorsal and ventral surfaces unarmed but each with distinct carinae on anterior and posterior margins, genicular lobe armed on anterior margin with an elongate spine. Fore tibia unarmed dorsally, ventral surface armed on anterior margin with 11 minute spines, one apical in position and only slightly longer than the others, posterior margin armed with 10 similar spines. Middle femur subcylindrical, unarmed on dorsal surface, ventral surface usually unarmed but often with 1–2 stout tooth-like spines near apex; genicular lobe armed with an elongate tooth on anterior margin. Middle tibia quadrate, basal portion swollen, dorsal surface unarmed, ventral surface armed on each margin with 10 minute spines, one apical in position and slightly longer than the others. Hind femur very elongate, not very much expanded basally; ventral surface armed on external margin with 9–10 stout tooth-like spines, internal margin unarmed, genicular lobe of outer margin bearing a stout spine. Hind tibia armed on dorsal surface with 15–17 spines on each margin, none apical in position; ventral surface with 9–11 spines on each margin and with an elongate apical spine on each side.
5. Named with reference to the very elongated spines that project laterally from the pronotum.
Wings. Tegmen (Fig. 20 M) extending just beyond apex of hind femur at rest; apex acute, anterior margin strongly bowed (similar to the Madagascan Lonchitophyllum reticulatum (Brunner), see Eades et al. 2014), posterior margin almost straight. Costal field (Fig. 20 M) with a series of diagonal veins emanating from radius and almost extending to anterior margin, enclosing 3 or more irregular cells; radius branching apically. Wing with main veins strong, undivided.
Abdomen. Tenth tergite unspecialised, supra-anal plate well indicated, elongate, about 1.5x as long as broad, apex evenly obtuse; subgenital plate (Figs. 10E, F) minute, apex shallowly incised; cercus elongate, conical, apex distinctly directed inwards. Ovipositor minutely serrate on dorsal margin near apex.
Colour. Overall colour dark green. Tegmen without any suggestion of spots.
Specimens examined. Paratypes: Queensland: Tallebudgera Ck., 16.iii.1986 (D. Cook, 1 female, QMUS). Tallebudgera Valley, 13.i.1988 (D. Cook, 1 female on tree fern leaf, QMUS).
Comments. This distinctive genus and species is known only from the type series. The extraordinary armature of the pronotum in unknown for any other member of the tribe.
description: Published as part of Rentz, Dcf, Su, You Ning & Ueshima, Norihiro, 2015, Studies in Australian Katydids: A Review of the Australian Snub-nosed Sylvan katydids (Tettigoniidae; Pseudophyllinae; Simoderini), pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 3946 (1) on pages 7-26, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3946.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/288290