Paraceroys quadrispinosus ( Redtenbacher, 1906 )

Murcia, Andres David & Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., 2023, The stick insects (Insecta: Phasmatodea) from the Cloud Forest of the Chicaque Natural Park, Colombia, Insecta Mundi 2023 (20), pp. 1-45 : 37-41

Paraceroys quadrispinosus ( Redtenbacher, 1906)

( Fig. 35 – 39 )

Diagnosis. Body opaque reddish-brown ( Fig. 35A–B , 36A–B ). Head elongated in both sexes, with four small transverse spines projecting backward on the posterior margin ( Fig. 35C–D , 36C–D ). Pronotum with two anterior and two posterior conspicuous spines ( Fig. 35C–D , 36C–D ). Mesonotum with two prominent spines near posterior margin, lateral margins with small longitudinal spines ( Fig. 35A , 36A ). Male metanotum armed with three spines, two anterior located on the middle of the metanotum and one very close to its posterior margin; female with a single spine near the rear margin of metanotum. Legs medium-sized, the metafemora do not exceed the tergite V. Tergites IV–VI armed with a dorsal spine in male; female with a dorsal spine on tergites IV–VII, posterior margin of tergite IX spiniform and elevated. Male cerci elongated and slightly compressed apically, surpassing the apex of the last tergite. Poculum indistinctly elevated, the posterior margin with sharp lateral angles and centrally emarginate. Male subgenital plate lanceolate and elongated about four times longer than wide, with the posterior margin convex.

Color variation. Males 1. Reddish-brown color with basally green femurs and green tibiae ( Fig. 38A–B ). 2. Light brown ( Fig. 38C ). Females with shades ranging from light brown to reddish ( Fig. 39A–B ).

Measurements (mm). ♂ / ♀ TL: 39–40 / 46, Pr: 2.5–3 / 3.5, Ms: 9–10 / 11, Mt: 3.5–3.5 / 4, MSeg: 1 / 1, Pf: 10–11 / 10, Mf: 7–8 / 8, Hf: 11–11 / 10, Pt: 11–11.5 / 10, Mt:7 / 7, Ht:11–11.5 / 11, Ant: 20–23 / 17.

Eggs. Pale brown, capsule irregular, strongly rough ( Fig. 37 ). Capsule 2.3 times longer than wide and 2.5 times longer than tall ( Fig. 37C ). The dorsal surface is straight and rough, rising posteriorly, progressively compressing towards the apex of the capsule ( Fig. 37A–B ). Ventral surface smooth, adhesive, almost straight, and somewhat narrower towards the polar area. Small irregular ovoid operculum surrounded by a collar with multiple pointed extensions, inserted at a 45° angle ( Fig. 37C–D ). Micropylar plate displaced anteriorly and lance-shaped, slightly raised inner part with wide and raised margins. Micropylar cup on the margin of the micropylar plate ( Fig. 37A ). 6 eggs examined.

Measurements (mm). Length 4, height of capsule 1.5, width of capsule 1.5, diameter of operculum 0.8.

Distribution. Only known from Colombia, in the departments of Meta, Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Nariño ( Conle et al. 2011, Gutiérrez and Bacca 2014).

Specimens and eggs examined. 3 males and 1 female: 2♂ 4°37′13″N 74°18′47″W 2557 m. 31 May 2021, 1♀ 4°36′57″N 74°18′44″W 2197 m. 31 May 2021 (CAUD).

Figures

Figure 35. Paraceroys quadrispinosus (Male). A–B) Habitus in lateral and dorsal view. C–D) Head and pronotum in lateral and dorsal view. E–G) Terminalia in lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively.

Figure 36. Paraceroys quadrispinosus (Female). A–B) Habitus in lateral and dorsal view. C–D) Head and pronotum in lateral and dorsal view. E–G) Terminalia in lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively.

Figure 37. Paraceroys quadrispinosus. Eggs. A) Dorsal view. B) Latero-dorsal view. C) Ventral view. D) Anterior pole.

Figure 38. Paraceroys quadrispinosus. Live males. A–B) Reddish brown individuals with basally green femurs and green tibiae. C) Light brown form.

Figure 39. Paraceroys quadrispinosus. A) Live female. B) In copulation.