Davidrentzia valida Brock & Hasenpusch, 2007

Brock, Paul D. & Hasenpusch, Jack, 2007, Studies on the Australian stick insects (Phasmida), including a checklist of species and bibliography, Zootaxa 1570 (1), pp. 1-81 : 51-53

Davidrentzia valida Brock & Hasenpusch , spec. nov. [Rentz’s Strong Stick-insect]

( Figs. 93–97 )

Description

Female (holotype) ( Figs. 93–97 ): Robust-looking, medium-sized mottled brown insect, including legs. A darker longitudinal band stretches the length of the body, although less conspicuous on the head and pronotum. Vestigial wings present. Body length 97 mm .

Head: Large (8.5 mm), rather broad (7 mm), with series of granules present centrally and laterally (two rows). Eyes brown, small (1.5 mm). Antennae with 24 segments, a faint darker stripe present along their entire length.

Thorax: Pronotum shorter than head, rugged appearance, heavily granulated (particularly anteriorly, in centre), with bold central indentation. Mesonotum granulated and sparsely tuberculated, 5 well spread larger tubercles laterally. Metanotum almost three times shorter.

Wings: Vestigial only.

Abdomen: Sharply ridged, including three centrally. End of anal segment slightly emarginated in centre. Operculum large, boat-shaped, extruding by length of anal segment. Cerci broad, tapering to tip.

Legs: Robust, femora and tibiae with series of very short spines.

Male not known.

Holotype ♀, Lord Howe Island , Stevens Reserve, nr. Signal Point, 31° 32´S; 159° 04´E, 6.xii.1988, Stop LH-3. D.C.F. Rentz ( ANIC).

Distribution

So far known by only a single specimen from Lord Howe Island, where the even stouter Dryococelus australis is believed to have become extinct.

Notes

This species is easily distinguished from other Australian Platycraninae , the genus being closer to the much longer winged Megacrania than Anophelepis and Echetlus . In Davidrentzia the operculum extends well beyond the abdomen, unlike in Megacrania . It is hoped that scientists will take up the challenge of studying this exciting new species and identifying any conservation needs.

Derivation of name Named valida, meaning strong, because of the robust appearance of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 93. Davidrentzia valida holotype female (ANIC), 97 mm.

FIGURE 94. Davidrentzia valida end of abdomen in holotype female, dorsal view.

FIGURE 95. Davidrentzia valida end of abdomen in holotype female, lateral view.

FIGURES 96–97. Davidrentzia valida holotype female. 96. end of abdomen, ventral view. 97. head, thorax and wings, dorsal view.