Phobaeticus magnus, Hennemann & Conle, 2008

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2008, Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther, 1953, including the description of the world's longest insect, and a survey of the family Phasmatidae Gray, 1835 with keys to the subfamilies and tribes (Phasmatodea: " Anareolatae ": Phasmatidae), Zootaxa 1906, pp. 1-316 : 162-166

Phobaeticus magnus nom. nov.

( Figs. 108–109, 184–185, 234–236, 310, 329, 385, 421–422)

Phobaeticus magnus nom. nov. [Replacement name for Nearchus maximus Redtenbacher, 1908 , a junior homonym of Phibalosoma maximum Bates, 1865: 341 . HT = NT of N. maximus , see below]. HT, ♀: Thailand, Lomgao, Petchabun 21.X.1985, Phimpisarn; BMNH(E) 2005-98, Nearchus maximus Redt, 1908 ♀, det. P. Brock (BMNH).

Nearchus maximus Redtenbacher, 1908: 448 , pl. 21: 7a–b (apex of ♀ abdomen). HT, ♀: Laos, Siam (MNHN – lost). NT [by present designation], ♀: Thailand, Lomgao, Petchabun 21.X.1985, Phimpisarn; BMNH(E) 2005-98, Nearchus maximus Redt, 1908 ♀, det. P. Brock (BMNH). [Secondary homonym of Phibalosoma maximum Bates, 1865: 341 ] Bragg, 1995b: 274.

Nearchus maximus maximus, Bragg, 2001: 393 .

Otte & Brock, 2005: 209.

Clitumnus operculatus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 192 (in part). PLT, ♀ (nymph): Coll. Br. v. W., Assam, Staudinger; det. Br. v. W. Clitumnus operculatus (NHMW, No. 323).

Baculum operculatus Brock, 1998a: 48 . [Designation of LT]

Ramulus operculatus, Otte & Brock, 2005: 305 .

[Not: Phobaeticus maximus ( Bates, 1865) , Otte & Brock, 2005: 269; = Phobaeticus serratipes Gray, 1853 syn. nov.]

Further material: 6 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (nymph), eggs]:

N-THAILAND:

1 ♀: N-Thailand, Lomgao, Petchabun, via Lehmann 1985 (coll. FH, No. 0130-1); Eggs: NE-Thailand, Nong Khai Province, Ampur Muang, Tumbol Pochai, Bang Rong mex village, laid by ♀ collected I.2006, leg. L. Kwantale (coll. FH, No. 0130-E); 2 ♀♀: N-Thailand, Lomgao, Petchabun , leg. Lehmann 21.10.1995 (coll. OC, No’s 00185 & 00186) ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (nymph): Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima, S Khao Lak Chang, 400–475 m, 101°21´E, 14°31´50 N, 23.IX.1998, leg. I. Fritzsche (coll. OZ, No’s 0448-1 to 3) . 1 ♀: N-Thailand, via T. Thron (coll. FH, No. 0130-3).

MYANMAR:

1 ♂: Myanmar, Tenasserim, leg. Lehmann 20.III.1994 (coll. FH, No. 0130-2).

NO DATA:

1 ♀ + 3 eggs on card: no data ( MNCN) .

Diagnosis: ♀♀ are the only ones of the genus from continental Asia which have a long and lanceolate subgenital plate (Fig. 234) and are furthermore characteristic for the very prominent leg armature (Fig. 329), which includes strong spines on the medioventral carina of the meso- and metafemora. ♂♂ are characteristic for the distinctive and pretty colouration, very slender semi-tergites of the anal segment (Fig. 236) and comparatively long alae, which project well over abdominal segment IV. The eggs are characteristic for the comparatively elongate micropylar plate, which is almost 2/3 the length of the capsule and longer than wide (Figs. 184–185).

Etymology: “ Magnus ” (lat. = large) refers to the very large size of this striking species and is meant to replace the original “ maximus ” (lat. = the largest) in a similar sense. For reasoning see comments below.

Description: The description of the colouration is based on various colour photographs of live insects taken in the Nong Khai Province, N-Thailand and live captive reared specimens.

♀♀ ( Fig. 108, 421): Very long (body length 218.0–292.0 mm, including subgenital plate 234.0–315.0 mm) and slender species (maximum body width 6.0–7.0 mm) with a very long and lancet-like subgenital plate (39.0–56.0 mm); body surface slightly glabrous. General colouration of body and legs yellowish or greyish pale to mid brown with several slightly pale creamish to whitish areas. The HT has the entire terminal three abdominal segments creamish white. Complete body to a various degree furnished with paler and darker speckles and spots. Head usually with a large ± decided whitish or white marking on the vertex, the cheeks and posterior margin mid to dark brown. Mesonotum occasionally with a faint and washed pale green longitudinal median stripe. Meso- and metapleurae often whitish in the posterior portion. Meso- and metasternum greyish mid to dark brown and darker than rest of body, both irregularly set with elongate-oval pale yellow or cream spots. Abdominal tergite VII often with a white transverse marking posteriorly and tergites VIII and IX with a white patch posterolaterally. Bases of basitarsi and apices of femora white. Complete leg armature orange to dull red with black points. Eyes cream with sepia mottling (reddish brown in dried specimens). Antennae mid brown, scapus and pedicellus dark brown.

Head: Suboval, 1.5x longer than wide, broadest at eyes and slightly tapering towards the posterior, vertex flat and angled posteriorly. Eyes prominent but moderately convex with the anterior margin gently angular; length contained almost 3x in that of cheeks. Between the bases of the antennae with a small but deep semicircular impression. Antennae at least reaching to posterior margin of mesonotum (broken in all examined specimens). Scapus almost 2.5x longer than wide, almost parallel-sided and dorsoventrally flattened. Pedicellus distinctly shorter than scapus, round in cross-section and slightly club-like. Following antennomeres first increasing, then decreasing in length towards apices of antennae.

Thorax: Pronotum shorter and narrower than head, 1.3x longer than wide, the anterior half conspicuously constricted. Median transverse depression distinct, almost straight but short and not reaching lateral margins of segment. Mesothorax about 2.5x longer than head and pronotum combined, mesonotum parallel-sided except for being slightly widened at posterior margin and with a very indistinct median line. Tegmina represented by very small, kidney-shaped scales (c. 1.0 mm). Metanotum less than 1/3 the length of mesonotum, 2.5x longer than wide, parallel-sided and with a faint median line. Meso- and metasternum with very shallow longitudinal median keel.

Abdomen: Median segment very slightly shorter than metanotum, about 2.5x longer than wide and gently constricted towards the anterior. Segments II–VI gradually increasing in length II 3x, V 3.5x and VI 4x longer than wide. VII about as long as III and 3.5x longer than wide. Praeopercular organ formed by two distinct, acutely triangular and carinate lobes on posterior margin of sternum VII. Tergite VIII narrower than previous, strongly convex, gently constricted medially and slightly more than half the length of VII. IX half the length of VIII, rectangular and indistinctly longer than wide. Anal segment 2/3 the length of VIII, parallel-sided with a distinct longitudinal median carina and the posterior margin broadly triangularly excavated, the outer angles short but acute. Supraanal plate rather prominent, triangular, strongly keeled and slightly projecting over posterior margin of anal segment (Fig. 235). Cerci small, oval in cross-section, tapered towards apex and slightly projecting over anal segment; finely sethose. Subgenital plate longitudinally keeled, very long, lancet-like and gradually tapering towards a pointed tip; projecting over apex of anal segment by ± the combined length of tergites VIII–X (Fig. 234).

Legs: All long and slender with all carinae except protibiae more or less prominently spinose. Profemora a little longer than pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora slightly shorter than mesothorax, metafemora projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV and metatarsi reaching to apex of anal segment. Anterodorsal carina of profemora with 16–20 moderately sized but very acute serrations, these decreasing in size towards apex of femur. Posteroventral carina armed with 10–14 prominent and long, pointed teeth; posterodorsal carina set with 6–10 distinct acute spines. All carinae of protibiae smooth except for a few very indistinct serrations on the posteroventral carina. Two outer ventral carinae of meso- and metafemora armed with several, irregularly set, prominent triangular spines; these straight on the posterior carina and slightly hooked on anterior carina. Medioventral carina armed with 8–10 strong and prominent, pointed spines which decrease in size towards apex of femur (Fig. 329). Dorsal carinae with a similar number but slightly smaller teeth than on ventral carinae. All ventral carinae of meso- and metatibiae densely set with rather long and pointed spines, dorsal carinae sparsely dentate. Probasitarsus as long as, meso- and metabasitarsus slightly shorter than remaining tarsomeres combined, all carinae smooth, dorsal carina elevated and gradually raised towards the apex.

♂♂ ( Fig. 109, 422): Large (body length 155.0–176.0 mm) and very slender for the genus (maximum width of abdomen 2.0– 2.5 mm) with long alae (57.5–71.0 mm); body surface slightly glabrous. General colouration of body yellowish or greenish mid brown. Head with a large white marking on the vertex, which covers almost the complete dorsal head surface and narrows towards the posterior. Cheeks with a faint, washed blackish postocular stripe. Mesonotum mid to dull green. Great portions of mesopleurae whitish, metapleurae grey with the lower margin white and the dorsal portion black. Mesosternum dark brown with distinct straw elongate-oval patches and the lateral margins cream. Metasternum with a white patch posteromedially, otherwise mid brown and with two parallel, dark brown to black longitudinal median lines. Tegmina and costal region of alae greyish or yellowish brown. Anterior margin and posterior half of posterior margin of tegmina broadly white and interiorly bordered by a fine black line; central portion with a bold oval white patch and an elongate black marking on the central hump which terminates towards the apex of the tegmen. Costal region of alae with a bold white band along anterior margin. Anal region transparent grey with brown veins. Abdominal tergites and sternites VIII and IX as well as the poculum with conspicuous white markings. Lateral margins of abdominal tergites with a very fine white longitudinal line. Abdominal sternites II–VII dark brown with a white line along lateral margins. Legs yellowish or reddish mid brown, the complete armature (except dorsal serrations of profemora) dull red with black points. Each coxa with a white lateral patch and all femora with a small, white lateral spot near the apex. Basal portion of profemora straw or pale grey. Bases of basitarsi white. Eyes cream with brown mottling. Antennae very dark reddish brown.

Head (Fig. 310): Oval, 2x longer than wide and distinctly narrowed towards the posterior, vertex flat, otherwise as in ♀♀. Between bases of antennae with a small but deep impression. Eyes large and projecting hemispherically from head capsule; their length contained about 2x in that of cheek. Antennae projecting over posterior margin of metanotum, otherwise as in ♀♀.

Thorax: Pronotum 2x longer than wide, shorter and narrower than head and generally as in ♀♀. Mesothorax about 2.6x longer than head and pronotum combined, mesonotum parallel-sided. Meso- and metasternum with very fine longitudinal median carina. Tegmina oval, constricted basally and with a distinct , roundly conical central hump. Alae projecting over posterior margin of abdominal tergite IV.

Abdomen: Median segment considerably longer than metanotum. Segments III–VI 6.5x, II and VII shorter, only 5.5x longer than wide. Tergite V with small scale-like posteromedian tubercle. VIII slightly more than 2/3 the length of VII, 3x longer than wide, strongly convex and constricted medially. IX slightly shorter than previous, anterior half slightly swollen. Anal segment longer than VIII laterally compressed, distinctly keeled and tectiform. Semi-tergites very elongate, slender and tapered towards a narrow apex; gently downcurving (Fig. 236). Interior surface apically armed with several minute black teeth. Cerci elongate, oval in cross-section, gradually tapered towards a pointed apex, gently in-curving and almost reaching tip of anal segment. Poculum convex, cup-like, longitudinally keeled, reaching about half way along tergite IX and with a very prominent and acute, backward pointing central spine.

Legs: All very long and slender, profemora longer than head, pro- and mesothorax combined, about as long as pro- and mesonotum, metafemora slightly projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV and tarsi very slightly extending over apex of abdomen. Anterodorsal carina of profemora with 20–24 acutely triangular serrations, posteroventral carina with a similar number of medium sized, pointed spines. Medioventral carina of meso- and metafemora distinct and armed with 6–10 distinct, needle-like spines. Spination otherwise as in ♀♀ but much less distinct. Probasitarsus very elongate, 1.5x longer, meso- and metabasitarsus as long as remaining tarsomeres combined, all carinae smooth, the dorsal carina slightly gradually raised towards the apex.

Eggs (Figs. 184–185): Capsule basically lens-shaped, laterally compressed, longer than high. General colouration of capsule and micropylar plate greyish mid brown, operculum slightly darker brown. Capitulum black with a dark brown stalk. Whole capsule surrounded by dorsoventral keel, beginning and ending at the operculum and only interrupted near the polar-area. Keel very faint on micropylar plate. Capsule surface slightly rugulose. Micropylar plate elongate, tapered towards the anterior and broadest 1/3 of posterior end; almost 2/3 the length of capsule. Outer margin marked by a dark sepia brown line. Micropylar cup small, positioned at polar end of plate; black. Operculum flat, oval and in its centre with a prominent, irregularly shaped, roughly cone-shaped capitulum on a short stalk.

Measurements [mm]: length (including capitulum) 5.1–5.6, length 4.3–4.8, height 3.4–4.1, width 2.7–2.9, length of micropylar plate 2.7–3.1.

Comments: Redtenbacher (1908: 448) originally described Nearchus maximus from a single ♀ from “ Laos, Siam”, showing that Redtenbacher appears to have been in doubt about the exact collecting locality. Extensive search in MNHN has not traced Redtenbacher’s HT why it must be presumed lost. The original description, measurements and illustration of the apical abdominal segments clearly identify Redtenbacher’s species and leave no doubt about the conspecifity of the material at hand from N-Thailand and Myanmar. In order to fix Redtenbacher’s species, the ♀ from Lomgao Petchabun, N-Thailand in BMNH is here selected as the Neotype of Redtenbacher’s Nearchus maximus . This designation comfors the Article 75.3. of the Code (ICZN, 1999) on the conditions of neotype designations.

Phibalosoma maximum Bates, 1865 was transferred to Phobaeticus by Otte & Brock (2005: 269) ans is here shown to be a junior synonym of Phobaeticus serratipes ( Gray, 1835) . As the genus Nearchus Redtenbacher, 1908 is a junior synonym of Phobaeticus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 (syn. nov.) its type species N. maximus Redtenbacher, 1908 automatically becomes a member of Phobaeticus . Followingly, and in accordance to the Article 53.3 of the Code (ICZN, 1999) this act makes Nearchus maximus Redtenbacher a secondary homonym of Phibalosoma maximum Bates with the latter still being an available synonym. Therefore, Phobaeticus magnus nom. nov. is here established as a replacement name for Nearchus maximus Redtenbacher , which is in accordance to Article 23.3.6. of the Code (ICZN, 1999) on the principles of priority. The here selected NT of N. maximus Redtenbacher automatically becomes the HT of Ph. magnus nom. nov.

Examination of the ♀ PLT of Clitumnus operculatus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 in NHMW has shown this to represent a penultimate instar nymph of Ph. magnus . The specimens from Nakhon Ratchasima ( Thailand) in coll. OZ are considerably shorter than specimens from other localities but do not show any other significant differences.

An adult ♀ and several nymphs were collected by L. Kwantalae (Nong Khai) at Bang Rong mex village, Ampur Muang in the Nong Khai Province, NE-Thailand. These were found during the day-time in dry secondary growth and kept alive in large cages on guava ( Psidium guajava , Myrtaceae ), mango ( Mangifera indica, Anacardiaceaee ) and Tamarindus indica (Fagaceae) . Numerous eggs were obtained and distributed to European breeders, some were kindly given to the authors for examination. Breeding Ph. magnus in captivity in Europe is now being attempted by several enthusiasts but has as yet proven rather difficult. In captivity it accepts oak ( Quercus robur & Q. ilex , Fagaceae ) and bramble ( Rubus fruticosus , Rosaceae ) as alternative foodplants.

Distribution (Fig. 385): Northern Thailand (Lomgao Petchabun; Nong Khai Province: Ampur Muang, Tumbol Pochai “Bang Rong mex village” & Nakhon Ratchasima: S Khao Lak Chang 400–475 m), N-Myanmar (Highland of Tenasserim), NE-India (Assam) and Laos [ Redtenbacher, 1908: 448].

Number of specimens examined: 10

* according to Redtenbacher (1908: 448)

** including median segment