Sphodropoda quinquedens (Macleay)

Milledge, G. A., 2005, Revision of the Genera Sphodropoda, Trachymantis and Zopheromantis (Mantodea: Mantidae: Mantinae), Records of the Australian Museum 57, pp. 191-210 : 198-199

Sphodropoda quinquedens (Macleay)

Figs. 4–6, 9–10, 14–16, 43

Mantis quinquedens Macleay, 1826: 454 .

Hierodula quinquedens (Macleay) .– Saussure, 1871: 78. Sphodropoda quinquedens (Macleay) .– Kirby, 1904: 242.

Material examined. Lectotype female, Australia ( ANIC).

Other specimens examined. Queensland. 1♀, Black Mountain NP, 15°39'05"S 145°13'13"E, 16 May 2000, G. Milledge ( AM) . 13, Albatross Hotel, Weipa , 12°38'S 141°52'E, 6 May 1981, K.H.L. Key . 1♀, Annan River, 3 km SW of Black Mt., near Cooktown , 15°41'S 145°12'E, 26–27 Apr 1981, D.C.F. Rentz. 13, 44 km N of Cairns, 10 Dec 1982, J.T. Doyen . 1♀, 8 km W of Dimbulah, 17°09'S 145°02'E, 22 Mar 1988, D.C.F. Rentz. 13, Emu Creek, 27 km SW of Dimbulah , 17°20'S 144°57'E, 25–26 Nov 1981, J. Balderson . 1♀, Iron Range, 12 Jul 1969, J.C. Le Souëf. 13, McKenzie River crossing, 75 km NNE of Dingo, 17 Jan 1987, M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 1 juv, Shiptons Flat , near Cooktown , 15°47'S 145°14'E, 16–18 May 1981, D.C.F. Rentz. 13, Silver Plains HS, Cape York Pen. , 25 Apr 1968, J.L. Wassell (all ANIC) . 13, Annan River crossing, 2 km S of Cooktown, 4 Apr 1991, G. Milledge . 1♀, Brisbane, 12 Oct 1914, J. Frost. 13, 1 km NNE of Collins Weir, W of Atherton, 17°15'S 145°17'E, 10 Feb 1989, G. Milledge. 13, 8 km E of Emuford, 30 Dec 1989, M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 13, Jardine River ferry crossing, 50 km S of Bamaga, 11°05'S 142°18'E, K. Walker . 1♀, Poison Creek Rd, 10 km W of Cooktown, 4 Apr 1991, G. Milledge (all NMV) .

Western Australia. 1 juv, 8 km SW of Walsh Point, Admiralty Gulf , 14°37'S 125°48'E, 17 May 1983, D.C.F. Rentz & J. Balderson ( ANIC) .

Diagnosis. Sphodropoda quinquedens can be separated from the other species of this genus by the distinctive pattern on the inside face of the fore leg ( Fig. 15), the colour markings on the ventral surface of the costal area of the tegmen and the form of the male genitalia ( Fig. 16).

Description. Body ( Figs. 9–10) moderately large. Colour brown with mottled tegmina, green with mottled tegmina or uniform green. Ridge on frontal shield with blunt point at apex. Prothorax with numerous scattered tubercles on dorsal surface, particularly in female; lateral margin finely denticulate, slightly lamellate in prozone. Fore leg ( Fig. 15) with inner face of coxa purplish in posterior half, anterior half orange brown with 6 contrasting pointed cream tubercles on anterior margin which extend basally as ridges across surface; inner face of femur without markings; inner face of first tarsal segment mostly black, of other tarsal segments black apically. Wings of both sexes longer than abdomen; ventral surface of costal area of tegmen rosy red on inner half, outer half black, whole area crossed with slender white bands and spots; discoidal area completely opaque in female, only partly so in male; hind wing with costal and discoidal area yellowish, anal area slightly smoky, particularly toward apex, in female, mostly hyaline in male. Male genitalia ( Fig. 16) with apr relatively elongate and narrow distally; pa compact, shagreened, with anterior pointed lateral projection and broad blunt posterior projection; dpr with anterior projection much longer than posterior one.

Measurements (mm). Body length, 3 64, ♀ 70. Pronotum length, 3 16, ♀ 21. Pronotum width, 3 6, ♀ 9. Fore coxa length, 3, 11, ♀ 15. Fore femur length, 3 13, ♀ 18. Hind femur length, 3 10, ♀ 14. Hind tibia length, 3 10, ♀ 16. Tegmen length, 3 46, ♀ 46.

Immature stages. Early stages and ootheca unknown.

Distribution and habits. Found in north eastern Queensland and one record from north Western Australia ( Fig. 43). This species displays cryptic behaviour similar to that described above for S. tristis . This behaviour has been noted previously in S. quinquedens (Heath & Cowgill, 1989) .