Spalacomimus talpa (Gerstäcker, 1869), Gerstacker, 1869

Hemp, Claudia, 2013, Annotated list of Ensifera (Orthoptera) and further records on Caelifera (Orthoptera) of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Zootaxa 3613 (4), pp. 301-342 : 319-320

Spalacomimus talpa (Gerstäcker, 1869)

( Fig. 7 D–F)

Distribution. Tanzania (Gerstäcker 1869, Weidner 1955); East Africa (Chopard & Kevan 1954).

Described from Mt Kilimanjaro by Gerstaecker 1869. Type locality given as “Lake Ippe (Jipe-See) near Arusha” by Weidner 1955; Lake Jipe is located between the North Pare Mountains and Mt Kilimanjaro.

Song. Males are found hanging on small bushes and trees at night performing their calling song which is audible only in the immediate surrounding.

Diet: Reported as pest on Sisal (Morstatt in Weidner 1955). In captivity S. talpa attacks, kills and feeds on other Orthoptera , e.g. Eurycorypha and Euschmidtia sp.

Habitat. Scattered Acacia thorn grass land, desert-grass and thorn-bush (Chopard & Kevan 1954). Species in bush/tree savanna in the colline zone on the southern and eastern slopes and common in submontane coffee-banana plantations on southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Altitudinal range at Mt Kilimanjaro: 900–1500 m. Records: 6

Figures

FIGURE 7. Hetrodinae of Mt Kilimanjaro. A, B. Eugasteroides loricatus (Gerstaecker), collected at eastern slopes, tree / bush savanna A. Mating pair B. Female with spermatophore. C. Spalacomimus verruciferus (Karsch), eastern slopes, tree savanna D – F. Spalacomimus talpa (Gerstaecker) D. Male, eastern slopes, tree savanna E – F. Female, submontane plantation belt southern slopes, 1430 m.