Horatosphaga meruensis (Sjöstedt, 1909), Sjostedt, 1909

Hemp, Claudia, 2013, Annotated list of Ensifera (Orthoptera) and further records on Caelifera (Orthoptera) of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Zootaxa 3613 (4), pp. 301-342 : 323

Horatosphaga meruensis (Sjöstedt, 1909)

( Fig. 9 E, F)

Distribution. Endemic to savanna grasslands between Mts Meru and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Described as Plegmatoptera meruensis from Mt Meru by Sjöstedt (1909).

Ecology and biology. Adults found in January (Sjöstedt 1909). Hemp 2007.

Habitat. Hemp 2007. Savanna grassland West Kilimanjaro.

Song. Horatosphaga meruensis males sing in the late afternoon and night hours. The song is faintly audible in the immediate surrounding and consists of a continuous series of syllables.

Altitudinal range at Mt Kilimanjaro: 1300–1400 m.

Records: 4

Remarks. Kevan (1950) recorded H. meruensis from Stony Athi and the Emali Range. Specimens from this area were described as H. tenera by Hemp (2007).

Figures

FIGURE 9. Phaneropterinae species of Kilimanjaro, Acrometopini A, B. Altihoratosphaga montivaga (Sjöstedt), western slopes, Lerongo, 1500 m, male (A) and female (B) C, D. Horatosphaga heteromorpha (Karsch), grassy patches in plantation belt southern slopes, 1430 m, male (C) and female (D) E, F. Horatosphaga meruensis (Sjöstedt), western slopes, savanna grasslands, 1300 m, male (E) and female (F) G. Male Lamecosoma inermis Ragge, savanna grasslands, eastern slopes, 1000 m H, I. Peronura clavigera Karsch, eastern slopes, savanna grasslands on herbs, male (H) and female (I).