Ctenomorpha marginipennis Gray

Hasenpusch, Jack & Brock, Paul D., 2006, Studies on the Australian stick insect genus Ctenomorpha Gray (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Phasmatinae), with the description of a new large species, Zootaxa 1282, pp. 1-15 : 4-8

Ctenomorpha marginipennis Gray [Margined­winged Stick­insect]

( Figs. 1–6)

Phasma (Ctenomorpha) marginipennis Gray, 1833: 16 , pl. 1: 2 (marginipenne on p.27). Lectotype ♂, Australia, here designated (body length 110 mm) (OXUM) (originally designated by Key, 1960: 236, from Gray’s figure, in the mistaken belief that ‘all the original material appears to be lost’, hence invalid). A further two or more ♂ paralectotypes from Australia said to be in BMNH, ‘brought by Mr Hunter (the surgeon who accompanied Captain King’s voyages), probably from the north­west coast’, have not been traced. [This lectotype designation shall guarantee the stability of the name].

Ctenomorpha marginipennis ; Gray, 1835: 41, Burmeister, 1840: 38, Kirby, 1904: 388, Otte & Brock, 2005: 112. Several other references only refer to C. marginipennis as a synonym of C. chronus , following Westwood, 1859: 114. However, marginipennis was selected over chronus by the first reviser, Burmeister (1840: 38). Vickery, 1983: 5, stated that the male in OXUM is the holotype, but this is clearly not the case from Gray’s description.

Phasma (Diura) chronus Gray, 1833: 20 , pl. 5: 2. Lectotype &, Australia (probably Tasmania), based on Gray’s figure, designated by Key, 1960: 236, synonymised by Burmeister, 1840: 38. Gray comments ‘This insect is often found in collections, and I believe is confined to Van Diemen’s Land [i.e. Tasmania].’

Acrophylla chronus ; Gray, 1835: 39, Serville, 1838: 232, Westwood, 1859: 114, Redtenbacher, 1908: 457.

Cyphocrania chronus ; Burmeister, 1838: 580.

Ctenomorpha chronus ; Vickery, 1983: 5, Balderson et al, 1998: 365.

The following references list chronus as a synonym of marginipennis: Kirby, 1904: 388 , Otte & Brock, 2005: 112.

Acrophylla oxyacantha Redtenbacher, 1908: 457 . Lectotype &, [ Australia], Tasmanie, i.[18]47, Verreaux, Museum Paris (NHMW, No. 867), here designated. Paralectotype series: &, Australia, New South Wales, Thorey, &, Australia, Sydney, Thorey, &, Australia, New South Wales, Dämel, &, Australia, 1863, Brun, & Australia, Sydney, Novara Expedition, 1857­59, Frauenfeld (NHMW, No. 867). Also in ZMAS, locality not known, but not traced in MNHN and ZMUH, synonymised by Vickery, 1983: 5. [This lectotype designation shall guarantee the stability of the name].

Acrophylla phyllocerca Redtenbacher, 1908: 457 . Lectotype ♂, Australia [ New Holland], Thorey (NHMW, No. 870), here designated. Paralectotype series: &, Australia [ New Holland], Thorey, ♂, Australia, Deyrolle, &, Australia, &, Australia, [18]90, Prinz (according to Redtenbacher specimens are from Adelaide and Melbourne) (NHMW, No. 870). Not traced in MNHN. Also in MNMS: New Zealand (?), synonymised by Vickery, 1983: 5. [This lectotype designation shall guarantee the stability of the name].

Acrophylla scutigera Redtenbacher, 1908: 457 . & (number not known) Australia, Melbourne (not traced in MNHN, according to Vickery (1983) in MVMA) [not examined], synonymised by Vickery, 1983: 5.

Ctenomorpha tasmanensis Lea, 1902: 395 . Holotype &, Australia, Burnie, Tasmania (TMUH) [not examined], synonymised by Vickery, 1983: 5.

Useful non­taxonomic references of ‘The Great Brown Stick­Insect’ ( Coleman, 1942a & b, 1943 & 1944) and Ctenomorpha sp. ( Clyne, 1979: 23, pl.) give brief details on biology and behaviour. Although this species has been reared recently, there are no published observations.

In his catalogue on Australian phasmids, Vickery (1983) stated that ‘all synonymy is from the literature; no new synonymy is presented in this work.’ However, he went on to list several new synonyms, including five of chronus , presumably based on geographical range and / or examination of figures, as these synonyms have not been traced in the literature. Unfortunately, the author did not respond to written queries in the 1990’s on entries in his catalogue. In case there is any doubt concerning the synonymy, it is confirmed for the four species above. However, variation is considerable, resulting in authors describing them as new species. Redtenbacher’s key to both sexes gives details of differences, i.e. they may have the thorax granulated, tuberculated or with irregular spines. Females have a short­winged form described as phyllocerca by Redtenbacher, lobes present or absent on tibiae.

Non­type material examined

Detailed studies made on 22 specimens (9 ♂, 11Ψ, 2Ψ nymphs) in BMNH, with various data (details upon request), all identified as Ctenomorpha chronus (Gray) by K. H. L. Key, either in 1956 (donated specimens), or 1958, when he visited the BMNH). Specimens also examined in numerous museums in Australia and Europe, and the private collection of A. Hiller.

Male and female ( Figs. 1–5)

Gray, 1833 provided adequate descriptions and figures of both sexes. The size, degree of tuberculation of the thorax varies, depending on which locality specimens are from and probably the choice of host foodplant(s).

Distribution

Apparently widespread in New South Wales, South­East Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. There is even a possibility that they occur in north Queensland, if the five specimens (2♂, 3Ψ) in RSME from Mossman are correctly labelled. Efforts will be made to obtain these insects and compare the eggs. Rentz (1996) comments: ‘quite common in heath and woodland habitats’. Foodplants include Eucalyptus species ( Clyne, 1979, Coleman, 1942a & b, 1943 & 1944) and Prunus .

Egg ( Fig. 6 )

First described by Kaup (1871, a crude sketch of this species) and later figured by Coleman (1942b), Key (1970, 1991) and Hughes & Westoby (1992), the egg is brown, capsule strongly sculptured, raised in a series of ribs. Micropylar plate almost circular, except sharply pointed at either end. Operculum flat, bearing small stalked capitulum. Average capsule length 3.5 mm, height 2.5 mm, width 2.0 mm.

Notes

Craddock (1972) discussed chromosomal diversity of some Australian phasmids and found a geographic pattern of karyotypic differentiation in this species.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Ctenomorpha marginipennis egg views a) dorsal b) lateral (scale bar, 2 mm).