Tirachoidea inversa (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907)

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 : 236-237

Tirachoidea inversa (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) comb. nov.

( Figs. 141, 210, 302, 325, 404)

Eucarcharus inversus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 186, pl. 8: 1. HT, ♀: Museum Paris, Java, Ouest (Tougou), J. D. Pasteur 3-96; 6. Carcharus inversus Br. Type! (MNHN).

Otte & Brock, 2005: 136.

Lobophasma inversus, Günther, 1935b: 138 .

Pharnacia semilunaris Redtenbacher, 1908: 452 . HT, ♀: Baron Warsberg, Java, 1868; Mus. Caes. Vind., Java, Baron Warmsberg; det. Redtenb. Pharnacia semilunaris ; Pharnacia semilunaris Redt., Phasm. Inv. Nr. 822 (NHMW, No. 859). syn. nov.

Phobaeticus semilunaris, Brock, 1996: 29 .

Brock, 1998a: 56.

Otte & Brock, 2005: 269.

Further material [1 ♀]:

JAVA:

1 ♀: Java, Sukabami 2000 m, leg. Fruhstorfer 1893; [4] ( ZMUH) .

Diagnosis: Closely related to the second Javanese species T. biceps ( Redtenbacher, 1908) but at once distinguished from this and all other members of the genus by the strikingly rounded, almost spherical vertex which only has two very shallow swellings towards the frons (Fig. 302) and prominent sub-basal lobe of the posteroventral carina of the mesofemora (Fig. 325). It furthermore differs from T. biceps by: the more slender and elongate body and legs; larger and slightly truncate lateral lobes of abdominal tergite VII; distinct rounded posteromedian tubercle of tergites I–VI and lack of prominent dorsal lobes of the mesofemora and protibiae.

Etymology: “ Inversus ” (lat. = inverse, contrary).

Description: ♀♀ ( Fig. 141): Of moderate size (body length 180.6–200.0 mm) and rather slender for the genus (maximum body width 7.0–8.0 mm). General colouration of body and legs yellowish mid to greyish dark brown with the entire body to a various degree furnished with pale greyish and yellowish speckles. Legs with broad but irregular whitish to pale grey transverse bands. Median segment with several distinct white spots in posterior half. Eyes dark reddish brown. Antennae brown and becoming darker towards the apex.

Head (Fig. 302): Strongly globose, 1.5x longer than wide, vertex very prominently convex and almost spherical, towards the frons with a pair of very shallow, rounded swellings. Between the bases of the antennae with a distinct oval impression. Eyes of moderate size, convex and with the anterior margin slightly truncate; length contained about 2.5x in that of cheek. Antennae at least reaching half way along mesonotum (broken in all examined specimens). Scapus dorsoventrally flattened, 2.5x longer than wide and gently narrowing towards the base. Pedicellus cylindrical, about 1/3 the length of length of scapus. III 2.5x longer than scapus, IV slightly shorter than scapus, V–XIII increasing in length. Following antennomeres strongly elongated. All finely bristled.

Thorax: Pronotum about ¾ the length and distinctly narrower than head, about 1.3x longer than wide and gently widened towards the posterior. Median transverse depression moderately distinct, slightly curved and almost reaching lateral margins of segment. Mesothorax about 2.3x longer than head and pronotum combined, mesonotum almost parallel-sided. Metanotum about 2/5 the length of mesonotum, 2.3x longer than wide and parallel-sided, posteromedially with a small granule. Meso- and metasternum smooth.

Abdomen: Median segment about ¾ the length of metanotum, parallel sided and with a transverse posteromedian tubercle. Segment II distinctly shorter than median segment and following segments, slightly longer than wide. Segments III–V increasing, VI–VII decreasing in length, IV longest and about 3x longer than wide. Tergites II–VI each with a distinct , roundly transverse tubercle posteromedially. Tergite VII shorter than previous, posterior half laterally dilated into a very prominent but slender apically gently truncate lobe, which projects by 2/3 of the body width. Praeopercular organ indistinct and formed by two very minute ridges at posterior margin of sternum VII. Tergite VIII slightly shorter and distinctly narrower than previous, a little longer than IX and X combined , strongly convex, 3x longer than wide and gently constricted medially. IX strongly convex, about half the length of VIII and 1.5x longer than wide. Anal segment as long as IX with a fine median carina and a broad, concave excavation posteromedially; posterolateral angles slightly elevated and broadly rounded, slightly scoop-shaped lobe (Fig. 210). Supraanal plate very small, tapered towards the apex and keeled. Cerci sub-cylindrical in cross-section, tapered towards a pointed tip and finely bristled. Gonapophyses elongate and up-curving, reaching to posterior margin of anal segment. Subgenital plate rather elongate, boat-shaped and strongly keeled in posterior portion; apex slightly projecting over apex of abdomen (Fig. 210).