Zorion australe Schnitzler

Schnitzler, Franz-Rudolf & Wang, Qiao, 2005, Revision of Zorion Pascoe (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an endemic genus of New Zealand, Zootaxa 1066, pp. 1-42 : 17-20

Zorion australe Schnitzler , sp. nov.

(Figs. 14, 25)

Diagnosis

Zorion australe can be distinguished from other Zorion species by the combination of a conspicuous, plain femur as in Fig. 3 lacking the dark ring, an overall yellow­brown to orange­brown body colour including the legs and a glossy body surface. In comparison, Z. minutum is red brown in overall appearance and Z. kaikouraiensis is dark orange purple with distinct lighter legs than the pronotum. The first two or three abdominal segments of Z. australe are almost black whereas all abdominal segments of Z. minutum are red­brown.

Description

Body length: Male 3.93–6.96 mm, female 3.93–7.12 mm.

Colour: Body yellow­brown to orange­ brown throughout with a yellowish golden spot surrounded by dark brown area on each elytron (Fig. 14). Elytral spot at most 1.8 wider than long, transversely located and not touching elytral suture but reaching margin, central axis through spot usually at right angle in relation to suture. Distance between central axis of spot and elytral shoulder 0.31–0.61 elytral length. Scape and pedicel yellow­brown; at least antennal segments 3–10 yellow­brown at base but gradually becoming dark brown towards apex. Pro­ and mesocoxal cavity anteriorly bounded by dark edge; coxa and trochanter yellow­brown; femur whitish at base, club yellow­brown without dark ring as in Fig. 3 ; tibia and tarsi yellow­brown. First 3 abdominal segments almost black.

Structure: Body surface glabrous, glossy. Elytral apex rounded. Female with 2 or more hairs on epipleural fold and none to very few hairs above epipleural fold; male usually without such hairs.

Ovipositor and spermatheca: Ratio between dorsal and ventral baculi being 1:1.2. Spermatheca sclerotised, hook­shaped, widest at base tapering into point towards more sclerotised apex with an inner sclerotised structure. Spermathecal gland arising about 0.33 of spermathecal length from base.

Var ia t io n: Body may be light yellow­brown or dark orange brown throughout; scape and pedicel may be light brown or dark brown; antennal segments 3–11 may be light brown or 3–8 light yellow­brown at base but gradually darkening towards apex sometimes with segment 11 light brown at base and apex but being darker in the middle, or segments 9–11 may be light yellow­brown. Trochanter may be darker than clubbed part of femur; tibia may be light brown or dark brown or dark brown at base and apex gradually lightening towards middle. Elytral spot may be more whitish yellow; spot may be pearshaped or almost round, and spots may be at a forward or backward angle in relation to suture. There may be only two basal abdominal segments black. Male with at most two hairs on epipleural fold.

Biology

Z. australe ɗ adults were collected between 9 Oct. and 30 Mar. and Ψ adults between 4 Oct. and 30 Mar. However, the 30 March collection was the last date of a Malaise trap catch that lasted from 9 to 30 Mar. Specimens were trapped by Malaise trap in kanuka coastal forest and in coastal forest Kunzea (Myrtaceae) . Adults were also found by beating the following plants: Carpodetus (Carpodetaceae) , Coprosma (Rubiaceae) , Fuschia excorticata (Onagraceae) , Hebe spp., H. elliptica , H. stricta , Leptospermum (Myrtaceae) , Muehlenbeckia (Polygonaceae) flowers, Myrsine montana (Myrsinaceae) , Neopanax arboreum (Araliaceae) , Nothofagus menziesii (Fagaceae) , dead N. truncata branches, Olearia colensoigrandis (Compositeae) , Pseudopanax edgerleyi (Araliaceae) , Rubus (Rosaceae) , Schefflera (Araliaceae) , Senecio (Compositae) flower, Stilbocarpa (Araliaceae) , Weinmannia (Cunoniaceae) , broadleaved vegetation, at a forest edge, in second growth bush and at night. Sweeping vegetation resulted in specimens collected from long grass, native bush, fir tree in coastal bush, scrub/undergrowth in kanuka forest, Blechnum (Blechnaceae) , O. rani flower, Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae) . Further specimens were collected from Cordyline , Crataegus (Rosaceae) flower, fennel, Nothofagus forest, Persea americana (Lauraceae) flower, ragwort, scotch thistles, rotten wood, shopping bag and flower heads of wild carrot.

Adults emerged: from Dracophyllum (Epacridaceae) , O. arborescens , Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) , P. eugenioides & Pseudopanax ; on 22 Oct. from small Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) branches collected on 6 May and were removed on 7 July the following year; from small rimu branches collected 6 May on 18 Oct. & 28 Oct. the year after; on 26 Oct. from dead Cassinia (Compositae) stems collected on 21 Oct.; on 4 & 22 Jan. from R. australe collected on 21 Oct. the previous year; in Nov./Dec. from unknown material collected on 21 Oct. and from dead N. solandri branches collected on 22 Oct. adults emerged the same year on 25, 27, 30 Oct. & 2 Nov. and the following year from Dacrydium cupressinum (Podocarpaceae) on 26 Nov. The records do not state under which light phase the adults were reared.

Distribution

This species’ distribution ( Fig. 25) ranges with very few specimens collected from the Wairarapa and Wellington region of the North Island through the Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough and Nelson regions of the South Island. The distribution then extents southwards along the west coast of the South Island through the Buller, Mackenzie, Westland and Otago Lakes regions. The species’ distribution in the southern part of the South Island ranges from west to east through the Central Otago, Dunedin, Fordland, Southland and Stewart Island regions.

Etymology

The name refers to the species’ distribution on the South Island.

Material examined

Holotype: ɗ, Momorangi Bay, Okiwa Bay (SD), beating Pomaderris sp., 19 xii. 1999, F. R. Schnitzler ( NZAC).

Paratypes: 1 Ψ, 1 ɗ, Picton, Marlborough, 12 i. 1953, E. Fairburn ( WMNZ); 1 ɗ, Moeraki, 1 ii. 1983, J. S. Dugdale ( NZAC); 1 Ψ, Nelson, Aniseed Valley, coll. on 22 x. 1972, reared ex dead branches Nothofagus solandri , emerged 2 xi. 1973, G. Kuschel ( NZAC); 4 ɗ, Anakiwa, Okiwa Bay, beating Pomaderris , 20 xii. 1999, F. R. Schnitzler, (1 each in: AMNZ m– 280200 –2/5, BPBM m– 290200 –1/2, FRNZ, NZAC); 2 ɗ, Momorangi Bay within Okiwa Bay, beating Pomaderris , 19 xii. 1999, F. R. Schnitzler (1 each in: LUNZ, MONZ); 1 ɗ, Hira, Tealsaddle, coll. 21 x. 1972, em. xi./ xii. 1972, J. S. Dugdale ( NZAC), 1 Ψ, Queen Charlotte Sound, Bay of Mary Coves, ex flight intercept trap in Kunzea / coastal forest, 26 xii. 1992 – 6 i. 1993, J. W. M. Marris ( LUNZ); 1 Ψ, Cobb R., 914m, Hebe flowers, 10 ii. 1985, M. H. Bowle ( LUNZ); 1 ɗ, Nelson, Lee Valley, on scotch thistles, 17 xi. 1967, C. Lackner ( CMNZ); 1, Dun Mt. Track, 2 i. 1947, G. Ramsay ( MONZ); 2 Ψ, 2 ɗ, Lake Rotoiti, 18 i. 1976, W. J. Knight, B. M. 1976–572 ( BMNH); 1 ɗ, 1 Ψ, Dunedin, 1 i. 1953, E. Fairburn ( WMNZ); 1 ɗ, Dunedin, Woodhaugh, 17 Dec. 1996, H. & B. & H. Patrick ( JNNZ); 1 Ψ, Dunedin, Broadleaf F, 23 ii. 1976, A. C. Harris ( OMNZ). 1 ɗ, Otago, ii. 1984 ( OMNZ); 1 Ψ, Cape Farewell, 2 xi. 1996, B. H. Patrick ( JNNZ). 1 Ψ, Mistletoe Bay, beaten from bush, 13 ii. 1985, D. R. Penman ( LUNZ); 1 Ψ, Stewart Island, Rakeahua Valley, 19 ii. 1968, G. Kuschel ( NZAC).

Other material examined: 232 ɗ, 225 Ψ, 8 unknown sex (covered in mould and dust). WA: Balance Reserve (1 Ψ, 2 ɗ NZAC). WN: 2 km south of Paekakariki (1 ɗ NZAC). NN: Kaihoka Lakes Rd (1 ɗ NZAC); Cape Farewell (1 ɗ JNNZ); Kaituna, Collingwood, (3 ɗ, 3 Ψ NZAC); Collingwood, Ft. of Mt. Barnett (1 ɗ NZAC); Nelson, Collingwood (1 Ψ NZAC); Takaka (1 Ψ NZAC); near Puponga (1 ɗ JNNZ); Parkers Farm, 88 Valley (1 ɗ NZAC); Cobb Valley, Cobb R. track (1 Ψ, 1 ɗ LUNZ); Cobb R. (1 ɗ, 1 Ψ LUNZ); Nelson (2 Ψ, 1 ɗ CMNZ; 11 Ψ, 11 ɗ NZAC); NELSON: Riwaka Valley (2 ɗ, 2 Ψ NZAC) Hira Tealsaddle, (12 Ψ, 16 ɗ, 1 unknown sex NZAC), flanks of the Doubles Hira SF (1 ɗ NZAC), Appleby Road (1 Ψ NZAC), Aniseed Valley (24 ɗ, 16 Ψ, 2 unknown sex NZAC), Wakapuaka, Atawhai (1 ɗ NZAC), Wakapuaka (1 Ψ NZAC), Maitai Valley (4 ɗ, 8 Ψ NZAC), Track to Boulderslake (2 ɗ NZAC), Paturau (1 ɗ NZAC), Cawthron Pk. (3 ɗ NZAC); Dun Mt. (4 ɗ, 3 Ψ NZAC); Dunn (?) Mt. (1 ɗ NZAC); Richmond (4 ɗ, 4 Ψ NZAC); Lake Rotoiti (19 ɗ, 14 Ψ NZAC); Westport (1 Ψ LUNZ; 1 ɗ NZAC). SD: D’Urville Island (6 ɗ, 3 Ψ NZAC m– 140300 –7/7, f– 220300 –1/2); Opouri (1 Ψ NZAC); Marlborough Sounds (1 Ψ NZAC); Rarangi, Whites Bay, 41o24'S, 174o03'E (2 Ψ NZAC); Anakiwa, Okiwa Bay (2 Ψ, 3 ɗ NZAC m– 280200 –1/5, m– 280200 –3/ 5 m – 280200 –4/5, f– 290200 –2/2, f– 280200 –5/5); Momorangi Bay, Okiwa Bay (5 Ψ, 2 ɗ NZAC m– 130300 –1/ 2, f– 150300 –1/2, f– 200300 –1/2, f– 200300 –2/2, f– 210300 –1/2, f– 210300 –2/2); Okiwi Bay (6 ɗ, 8 ΨNZAC m– 130300 –2/2, m– 140300 –1/7, m– 140300 –2/7, m– 140300 –3/7, f– 150300 –2/2, f– 140300 –4/7, f– 230300 –1/2, f– 300300 –1/2, f– 300300 –2/2); Whangamoa (2 ɗ NZAC); Queen Charlotte Sound, Whatamango Bay (3 Ψ NZAC f– 140300 –6/7, f– 220300 –2/2, f– 230300 –2/2); Queen Charlotte Sound, Bay of Mary Coves (3 Ψ, 1 ɗ LUNZ). MB: Picton (7 ɗ, 2 Ψ BMNH; 1 ɗ LUNZ m– 140300 –5/7; 6 ɗ, 4 Ψ WMNZ); Jollies Pass (1 ɗ NZAC). BR: Greymouth (1 Ψ AMNZ 188827; 3 Ψ, 4 ɗ BMNH); Moana (1 Ψ CMNZ); Punakaiki (1 Ψ LUNZ). MC: Moa Hill (3 ɗ, BMNH 1922–182); 1 ɗ, 2 Ψ Mt Oakden Paradise (might be Mt. Oaken) ( NZAC). WD: South Westland, Lake Paringa (1 ɗ, 2 Ψ NZAC). OL: West Wanaka (1 ɗ, 1 Ψ JNNZ); E. Matukituki V (1 Ψ LUNZ); Mt. Dick (1 ɗ AMNZ 18828; 1 Ψ, 1 unknown sex NZAC). DN: Oamaru (2 Ψ JNNZ); Moeraki (4 Ψ NZAC); Waipori Tuapeka (1 ɗ AMNZ 18830)., Mt. Maungatua (1 unknown sex AMNZ 18824); Maungatua (1 ɗ AMNZ 18820; 1 Ψ BMNH 1922–482); Dunedin, 1878, Hutton (2 ɗ BMNH; 1 ɗ, 1 Ψ OMNZ; 2 ɗ, 3 Ψ WMNZ); DUNEDIN: Ana Bay (1 Ψ AMNZ 18832), Bradford (1 Ψ JNNZ), Chisholm Park (1 Ψ JNNZ; 1 Ψ OMNZ), Leith Saddle (3 ɗ, 6 Ψ NZAC; 1 Ψ, 1 ɗ OMNZ), Saddle Hill (1 Ψ NZAC), Waitatai V Rd. Leith Hill (1 Ψ NZAC), Whisky Gully (1 Ψ JNNZ), Woodhaugh (2 Ψ AMNZ 18822, 18825; 1 ɗ, 4 Ψ JNNZ); Port Chalmers (2 Ψ, 1 ɗ BMNH). CO: Otago (5 ɗ, 1 Ψ BMNH 1905–313, 1922–482; 1 ɗ NZAC; 1 Ψ OMNZ); Earnscleugh Orchard (13 ɗ, 10 Ψ NZAC). FD: Secretary Island (2 ɗ NZAC); Dusky Sound (1 Ψ NZAC); Fjordland Nat. Pk, Eglington V. (1 Ψ LUNZ). SL: Beaumont SF (2 ɗ NZAC); Gore, Hokonui Hills, Dolamore Park (1 Ψ NZAC); Tautuku Forest, 10 km East Mokoreta (3 ɗ, 2 Ψ NZAC), Outdoor Education Centre (3 ɗ, 2 Ψ LUNZ), Wyndham Station (1 ɗ, 2Ψ, NZAC); Birch I. (1 ɗ, 5 Ψ NZAC); Otautau (7 ɗ NZAC); Otautau Station (1 Ψ NZAC); Longwood Pa (1 Ψ NZAC); Otara Southland (2 unknown sex AMNZ 18823, 188829); six miles south of Riverton (1 Ψ NZAC); Purakaunui Falls, 15km SW of Owaka (1 Ψ NZAC); Pounawea, East of Owaka (1 Ψ, 2 ɗ NZAC); Catlins, Southland (1 Ψ, OMNZ); Invercargill (1 Ψ JNNZ; 1 ɗ LUNZ; 1 ɗ NZAC); Greenhills (1 Ψ NZAC); Bluff (1 ɗ, JNNZ; 1 ɗ, 6 Ψ, NZAC); Kohuamarua Bluff (1 ɗ LUNZ). SI: Codfish Island, Camp Sealers Bay (1 Ψ NZAC); Stewart Island (3 Ψ JNNZ; 5ɗ, 2 Ψ LUNZ, 4 ɗ,18 Ψ NZAC); Stewart Island, Big South Cape Island (14 ɗ, 16 Ψ NZAC). Unknown location: no location (3 ɗ, 3 Ψ NZAC); Mistletoe Bay, Peninsula track (1 ɗ LUNZ). 1 ɗ, ( NZAC); 1884, Grey (2 Ψ, 1 ɗ BPBM); no data (1 Ψ BPBM);? Jill. Tai. 1882? (1 ɗ BPBM); 1 Ψ, data not readable (1 ɗ BMNH); Auckland, purchased from Stevens 1880, location doubtful (1 Ψ BMNH).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Ventral view of hind femora representing features of: 1, dark coloured femur; 2, light coloured femur with dark ring; 3, light coloured femur without ring.