Germalus victoriae Bergroth

Malipatil, M. B. & Blacket, M. J., 2013, Review and revision of Australian Germalus Stål, with new genera and further new species of Australian Geocorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae), Zootaxa 3746 (2), pp. 257-300 : 261-267

Germalus victoriae Bergroth

( Figs. 9–26 )

Germalus victoriae Bergroth, 1895: 294 .

Germalus pallidus Distant, 1901: 471 .

Germalus humeralis Distant, 1918: 178 . Syn. nov. Germalus sexlineatus Bergroth, 1916: 34 . Syn. nov. Germalus victoriae: Cassis & Gross, 2002: 202 .

Type specimens: Lectotype female and one paralectotype female, “VIC”; “circular green label”; “ Germalus victoriae Bergr. (in Bergroth’s handwriting)”; “From C. French Jun. 15.11.11 ” “Nat. Mus.Victoria”; designated here, in MV.

Syntypes, two males, “Baudin Island 92–4”, “ Type ”, Germalus pallidus Distant 1901 ”; in NHM. Synonymised by Cassis & Gross (2002).

Syntypes, one male and one female, “Townsville, Qld 11.2.0 3 F. P. Dodd”; “ Type ”; “ Germalus humeralis Dist. type ”; in NHM. Syn. nov.

Germalus sexlineatus Bergroth, 1916 ; “Stevenson River, Central Australia ”; type specimen (male) not located, possibly is lost. Possible Syn. nov.

Other specimens: Because of the large number of specimens examined, several hundred, the number of male and female specimens for each sample has been omitted from the collecting data. There are numerous additional specimens in various collections in Australia and overseas that have not been examined or included here.

QUEENSLAND: Rennel I. Torres Straits AM Lea, in SAM; Mornington Is Mission, at light, 12.v.1963, P Aitken & NB Tindale, in SAM; Normanton, at light, 4–6.v.1963, NB Tindale & P Aitken, in SAM; Thornton peak, 1100–1300 m, via Daintree, 24–27.ix.1984, GB & SR Monteith, in QM; Cairns district, AM Lea, in SAM; Wolfram, nymph on cashew, 19.ix.1997, P O’Farrell, in VAIC; Bribie I., Moreton Bay, Lea & Hacker, in SAM; Magnetic I., A.M. Lea, in SAM; Applethorpe, flowering chestnut, 23.xii.1991, FD Page, in VAIC; Clermont, 29.ix.1929, Dr KK Spence, in AM; Archer R, sweeping, 28.vi.1960, CN Smithers, same except, at light, 27.vi.1960, in AM; Fraser Island nr Central Forestry Station, 4.ix.1980, G Daniels, in AM; Lankelly Ck, Coen, 28.vi.1960, CN Smithers, in AM; Dynevor Lakes, 88 km W Eulo, 2805 S 14412 E, on Eremophila sturtii , GV Maynard & G Daniels, in QM; 5.3 km SW Windorah, 25 25S 142 35E, ex Velleia glabrata , MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; 42 km SE of Windorah, 2534S 142 58E, 18.ix.1990, MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; 201 km S Windorah, 2630S 143 01E, 18.ix.1990, MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; 120 km E of Quilpie, 2639S 145 29E, 20.ix.1990, MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; 149 km E of Quilpie, 2633S 145 38E, 20.ix.1990, MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; 19.7 km N of Thylungra turnoff, 2604S 143 28E, ex Helipterum floribundum and Velleia glabrata , 18.ix.1990, MP Zalucki & GV Maynard, in QM; Lake Broadwater nr Dalby, 2721 S 15106 E, Leptospermum flavescens blossom, 25.x.1986, G&A Daniels, in QM; Charleville-Bollon Rd, 55 km SE Charleville, 2646S 146 29E, on Eremophila mitchellii , 30.x.1991, G. Daniels & GV Maynard, in QM; Claudie River, JA Kershaw, 11–12.ii.1913, in MV; Claudie River, 17.1.1914, in MV. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Black Mountain, sweeping veg, 26.xi.1959, GF Gross, in SAM. NEW SOUTH WALES: Menindee Lakes Pk. Trust Caravan Park, at light, 26.xii.1973, GF Gross, in SAM; Dorrigo, W. Heron, in SAM; Lightning Ridge, 13.vii.1977, JC Le Souef, in SAM; Young, 12.x.1994, M. Steiner, in VAIC; Bogan River, J. Armstrong, in AM; Bogan River, Callitris, J. Armstrong , in AM. Turner’s Flat, Macleoy R, 11.v.1978, CN Smithers, in AM; Yaleogrin St Forest, Gilgandra, 25.x.1983, T Woolley, in AM; Careel Bay, mangrove, 4.ix.1982, DK McAlpine, in AM; Careel Bay, Avalon, mangrove, 15.xii.1964, DK McAlpine, in AM; 140.16 km N Wilcannia, 30 21 34S 143 47 33E, Acacia , 2.iv.1994, GV Maynard & G Davis, in ANIC; Tamworth, “inside communal pyralid nest in eucalpt”, 23.vi.1981, C Easton, in ASCU; Wongarbon Nature Res, 17 km Dubbo, 7.iv.1979, D.K.McApline & BJ Day, in ANIC. VICTORIA: Burnely, VPRI, light trap, 1.ii.1973, in VAIC; Cape Otway, 29.xi.1966, A Neboiss, in MV; Glenelg River, 6 km NNE of Nelson, 25.xi.1966, A Neboiss, in MV; Millgrove, 20.xi.1927, FE Wilson, in MV; Thomson-Jordan River Junction, 24.xi.1976, AA Calder, in MV; Belgrave, 5.xi.1907, in MV; Warburton Dist., 24.xi.1923, in MV; Croydon, in MV; Eltham, in MV; Nunawading, 14.iv.1960, A Neboiss, in MV; Ferntree Gully, 26.iv.1925, FE Wilson, in MV; Ferntree Gully Dist, in MV; Ferntree Gully, 14.iv.1912, Donated by FP Spry, 5.x.1922, in MV; Gippsland, in MV; Gippsland, 10.xii.1923, Donated by JE Dixon 2.ix.1924, in MV; Stanley, on outer husks of chestnuts, v.1988, JA Osmelak, in VAIC; Donnybrook, AM Lea, in WADA. TASMANIA: Mt Arthur, 28.xii.1915, FM Littler, in SAM; Launceston, Lea, in SAM. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 94 km W Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert, beating Eremophila sp. 6.x.1976, JA Herridge; 28 km W Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert, on Codonocarpus pyramidalis , 10.x.1976, GF Gross & JA Herridge; 8 km NW Mt Davies turnoff, W Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert, beating Eremophila sp. (red), 10.x.1976, JA Herridge; Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert, under debris, 5.x.1976, GF Gross, DC Lee & JA Herridge; 65 km S Vokes Hill, Gt Vict.Desert, beating Cassia sp. dune slope, 28.viii.1980, J Forrest; 54 km E Vokes Hill Junction, Gt Vict.Desert, at light, 9.x.1976, JA Herridge; 53–55 km E Vokes Hill Junction, beating Composite, 9.x.1976, GF Gross; 10 km W Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert, 6.x.1976, GF Gross; Levi Creek, 8 km NW Big Perry Spring, 28 19.2 136.16.1, 7.xii.1974, JA Herridge; Davenport Spring, 8 km SE Alberrie Ck RS, beating, 13.v.1981, JA Forrest; Lake Eyre near Sulphur Pen, dead on salt surface, 21.viii.1967, GF Gross; 43 km WNW Tallaring Well, beating Eremophila sp. (blue flower), 5.x. 1976, GF Gross; NW of Tailem Bend, mallee scrub, on Callitris verrucosa , PB McQuillan; Olympic Dam site, 2–5.xi.1987, EG Matthews & C. Watts; Great Vict Desert, vehicle net between 200 km N Cook & Waldana Sell, 21.viii.1980, J. Forrest; Flat Rock Hole, Musgrave Rges, Capt SA White; Warradale, 13 km SW Adelaide, 22.x.1972, PB McQuillan; Fossil Creek, 40 km NW Oddnatta, 3.v.1976, JA Herridge; 144– 145 km N Cook, Gt Vic Desert, 29. 29 130 10, beating Cassia , 20.viii.1980, G Baker; 175 km W Vokes Hill, 28 30S 129 0 1 E, sweeping flowering Cassia , 25.viii.1980; same on Dodonea sp, GJ Baker; 21.4 km W Vokes Hill, 28 34S 130 28 E, sweeping Cassia nemophila , 22.viii.1980, GJ Baker; Moolooloo, 2000 ft [609 m], Flinders Range, 1921, HM Hale; Marree Picnic Ground, sweeping grass, 1.xi.1955, ET Giles; Parachilna, Flinders Range, Nat Hist Exp; Granite Dns 5 km NW Johnsons Dam 26 58S 133 35 40, 26–30.x.1984 16 km inland from Robe, sweeping Leucopogon parviflorus , 28.x.1958, GF Gross; Ifould Lake crossing, Nth Colona Stn, West coast, on Acacia ligulata , 22.viii.1975, S Barker; Ooldea, AM Lea; W tip of Petermann Range, at light, 30.x.1963, PAitken & NB Tindale; Glenelg, Adelaide, AH Elston; Underdale, 25.ii.1973, CA Versteeg; Mt Remarkable, Euc rostrata scrub savannah, 24.xi.1951, GF Gross; Hughes, AM Lea; 6 km E Woodcheater, on Callitris , 6.vii.1968, N McFarland; Marryat Crk, on main road, at light, 21.xi.1963, P.Aitken & NB Tindale; 3.2 km NE Mt Aloysius, at light, 18.xi.1963, P. Aitken & NB Tindale; Yumbarra Nat Park, at light, 11.xi.1975, JA Herridge; Lake Gairdner, 12 ml [19 km] S Moorarie, 5.x. 19674 ml [6.4 km] SW Maynard’s Bore, Everard Pk Stn, beating Grevillea sp., 6.xi.1970, GF Gross; Lewiston Reservoir, two Wells, on Callitris preissii , 4.v.1967, N McFarland; Lewiston Pk Two Wells, swept from Callitris preissii , 29.vi.1970, JJH & ML Szent-Ivany; Margaret River overflow, 3 km W Curdimurka, 14.v.1981, JA Forrest; 36 km W Mt Christie siding, at light, 6.xi.1975, JA Herridge; 3.5 km W of Blinman, on Euc blossom, 7.ii.1980, RV Southcott; Foot of Mt Remarkable, 1400 ft [425 m], 7.v.1968, HM Cooper; Mt Remarkable, 1250 ft [370 m], shrubs,?1967–8, HM Cooper; Mt Remarkable, 1800–2200 ft [547–665 m], shrubs, 12.v.1968, HM Cooper; Mt Remarkable towards Terka, 1800 ft [547 m], dense scrub, 16.v.1968, HM Cooper; Burra Creek 10 ml [16 km] N of Robertstown, 1000 ft [304 m], 25.viii.1967, HM Cooper; all in SAM. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Gill Pinnacle, Mural Crescent, at light, 3.xi.1963, P.Aitken & NB Tindale, in SAM; Marandoo camp, 22.38S 118.06E, at light, 5–19.v.1980, TF Houston et al., in WAM; Eneabba, 29.49S 115.16E, on flowers of Banksia, 12.vii.1987, RP McMillan, in WAM; Near mid branch, Gasocyne River, 25.12S 119.20 E, 26.viii.1987, RP McMillan, in WAM; 24 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 30.44S 121.28E, 10.x.1988, RP McMillan, in WAM; Dowerim, 20.xi.1984, RP McMillan, in WAM; Palm Springs, 15 km W of Millstream, 21.33 S 116.58E, 16.vi.1984, RP McMillan, in WAM; Denmark, 34 58S 117 21E, RP McMillan, in WAM; 26 km ESE of Minnie Creek HS, 24 02S 115 42E, on flowers of Eremophila , 2.ix.1980, CA Howard &TF Houston, in WAM; Kurrawang Reserve, 30 50 121 20E, 12–15.x.1988, RP &DP McMillan & A Chapman, in WAM; 70–75 km ENE of Norseman, on flowers of Eremophila scoparia , 10–16.xi.1978, TF Houston et al., in WAM; 45 km WNW of Wiluna, 27–28.vii.1983, TF Houston & RP McMillan, in WAM; 7 km N of Wongawol HS 26.07 S 121.56E, 29–30.vii.1983, TF Houston& RPMcMillan, in WAM; 57 km N of Windy Corner, 23.34 S 125.12E, 2.viii.1983, TF Houston& RPMcMillan, in WAM; 28 km N of Charlies Knob, 25.03S 124.59E, 6.viii.1983, TF Houston& RPMcMillan, in WAM; 17 km E Mt Nossiter, 25.25S 123.47E, 7.viii.1983, TF Houston& RPMcMillan, in WAM; Neeberrie HS area, 2658S 115 58E, 27–28.viii.1988, TF Houston& RPMcMillan, in WAM; Bungabiddy Rockhole, Walter James Ra, 24.39S 128.45E, 15.i.1990, TF Houston & MS Harvey, in WAM; SE edge of Harris Lake, 33 kmS of Zanthus, 21.xi.1978, TF Houston et al., in WAM; Mt Webb, 27.vii.1967, KT Richards, in WADA; Yanchep, 11.ix.1972, KT Richards, in WADA; Drysdale River, 14 39S 126 57E 18–21.viii.1975, IFB Common & MS Upton, in ANIC; King George’s Sound, in AM; Beverley Springs Station, at light, 11.viii.1974, WJ Bailey & KT Richards, in WADA; Kununurra, ex kenaf, 11.viii.1976, PJ Michael, in WADA; Carnarvon, 2.ix.1953, leg A.S., Germalus lineolosus GGE Scudder 1957, in WAM. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 3 km E. Sandover Bore, 11 km E Ammaroo Homestead, 10.x.1977, JA Forrest, in SAM; 10 ml [16 km] E of Daly River, at light, 28.vi.1972, BK Head, in SAM; Emily-Jesse Gorge NP, SSE of Alice Springs, 20.viii.1990, RP McMillan, in WAM; Wildman River cashew plantation, 9.iii.1989, W Houston & M Malipatil, same except 12.vii.1989, M Malipatil & W Houston, in VAIC; Melville Island, WD Dodd, in SAM.

Redescription. Colouration: Generally ochraceous to pale ochraceous ( Fig. 9 ); a narrow band surrounding ocelli particularly along inner margin often black ( Fig. 11 ); antennae ochraceous with apices of 2nd and 3rd segments, and distal 2/3 of 4th segment, slightly darker; tip of labium fuscous; pronotum with punctures fuscous and each humeral angle with a distinct fuscous spot ( Fig. 10 ); non-carinate portion of scutellum sometimes more or less testaceous; hemelytra with lateral margin of corium pale, outer apical angle fuscous, and membrane hyaline reflecting testaceous abdomen beneath; legs without distinct dark spots or with sparse dark spots, apices of all tarsal joints slightly fuscous; abdominal dorsum under clavus and scutellum appearing blackish, otherwise pale except for broad dark lateral areas on basal 3–4 segments and a dark short median narrow band on apical 2–3 segments; connexiva of each segment pale except for a narrow dark band on posterior margin; abdominal venter pale except for broad dark submarginal bands on either side of midline.

Measurements: are of lectotype female Germalus victoriae , syntype male G. pallidus , syntype female G. humeralis , followed by ranges of 5 male and 5 female non-type specimens measured within round brackets.

Body: Subshiny ( Fig. 9 ), dorsum covered with appressed pubescence, not with bristles or setae, length including wings 5.06, 4.50, 4.90 (5.06–5.70); maximum width 2.07, 1.70, 1.74 (1.75–2.11).

Head ( Figs. 9–11 ): Dorsally particularly between ocelli and eyes shiny; eyes with an oblique impressed line between ocelli and base of ocular peduncle; antennifers slightly produced. Length of head 0.80, 0.65, 0.70 (0.70– 0.80); width across eyes 1.61, 1.67, 1.65 (1.59–1.79); interocular space 0.92, 0.87, 0.87 (0.87–1.03); interocellar space 0.43, 0.41, 0.36 (0.41–0.48); eye-ocellar space 0.16, 0.24, 0.23 (0.20–0.25); eye length 0.50, 0.55, 0.55 (0.51–0.57); eye width 0.34, 0.30, 0.34 (0.32–0.41). Labium extending to middle coxae, length of segments: I 0.52, 0.48, 0.57 (0.51–0.62); II 0.51, 0.50, 0.50 (0.66–0.72); III 0.46, 0.50, 0.57 (0.50–0.57); IV 0.38, 0.43, 0.46 (0.39– 0.43). Antennae with 1st segment about ½ as long as 2nd segment; length of segments: I 0.30, 0.30, 0.38 (0.30–0.32); II 0.57, 0.64, 0.70 (0.64–0.72); III 0.47, 0.45, 0.50 (0.46–0.50); IV 0.54, 0.56, 0.60 (0.55–0.59).

Thorax: Pronotum about 1.5 times as wide posteriorly as long, punctures shallow and difficult to distinguish towards margins and on posterior lobe area ( Figs. 9–11 ); median length 1.15, 1.03, 1.10 (1.03–1.25); width at posterior margin 1.72, 1.56, 1.50 (1.58–1.84). Scutellum ( Fig. 10 ) length 0.69, 0.69, 0.65 (0.73–0.80); width 0.85, 0.90, 0.83 (0.83–0.95). Length of hemelytra 3.31, 3.12, 3.30 (3.50–4.14); length of corium 2.30, 2.20, 2.30 (2.30– 2.76); claval commissure 0.43, 0.43, 0.41 (0.39–0.50); width membrane 1.39, 1.56, 1.49 (1.33–1.65).

Abdomen: Abdomen impunctate, III–V connexival segments partially exposed, extending a little beyond costal margin of closed hemelytra ( Fig. 9 ). Abdominal terga sclerotised, pattern variable between female and male ( Figs. 12 & 17 ). Internal apodeme on anterior margin of sternum VII in male broad and blunt, extending to ½– 2/3 length of sternum VI.

Female genitalia: Spermatheca ( Fig. 14 ) with bulb variable from almost spherical to sub conical to conical in shape, with a flange near base sclerotised and unevenly expanded; duct part behind flange wide, gradually narrowing to a uniformly thin and extremely long tube with 10–15 twists or about 8–10 coils; basal part of duct narrow, tubular. Ovipositor as in Figs. 15 & 16 .

Male genitalia: Pygophore as in ( Fig. 19 ). Paramere with blade broad, bluntly pointed towards apex, and with a few long setae near base, more so on ventral aspect ( Figs. 24–26 ). Aedeagus ( Figs. 20–22 ) with phallotheca moderately to heavily sclerotised in a basal broad band, particularly prominent on dorsal aspect; conjunctiva tubular, membranous, gradually narrowed towards upper end; body and wings of ejaculatory reservoir well developed, neck well developed and produced behind laterally in a wing-like pattern ( Fig. 23 ). Vesica distally near helicoid process with small elongate sclerites and processes along margin, the processes (often irregular) varying from a narrow I-shape to a broad H-shape. Gonoporal process beyond helicoid process very thin, with 8–12 small uniform coils; secondary gonopore simple, not flaring ( Fig. 22 ).

Distribution. Distributed in all Australian states and territories.

Notes. This species has some similarities with G. kinbergi Stål , the type species of the genus Germalus , in general facies and general colouration including a fuscous spot on each humeral angle of pronotum, but differs by having a very long narrow coiled spermathecal duct (short, uncoiled in G. k i n b e rg i) and lacking vague roundish fuscous spots on each pronotal callus.

This species as redescribed in this contribution is extremely variable in colour and structure. Some specimens are generally darker in general body colour. The pronotum in some specimens has faint, patchy, vague fuscous punctures in six incomplete rows: 2 in middle, and 4 on the lateral / sublateral sides (this is variable even within one series). In some specimens the apical angle of the clavus and of the corium, and a spot at the apical margin of the connexival segments, are black; the abdominal tergum with three narrow vittae to the penultimate segment, a narrow fascia connecting the posterior ends of these vittae, and a broad median vitta to the last dorsal segment, and the male genital segment, are fuscous; these abdominal markings are well visible through the translucent membrane.

There is also variation in number and intensity of punctures on clavus and corium. In some specimens the clavus has an almost complete row of punctures on its outer margin (e.g., Stanley and Donnybrook in Victoria; Mt Arthur and Launceston in Tasmania; Mt Remarkable and Burra Creek in South Australia). In other specimens this row is more or less incomplete at least in apical third. In others, punctures on the corium are almost indistinct. The labium may extend to middle coxae (Tullarine Well, SA; Normanton, Qld), to middle to hind coxae (Normanton), or to hind coxae (Lake Eyre, SA). Shape of the spermathecal bulb varies from spherical (Nullarbor Plains, SA; all specimens from Victoria), to almost spherical (Tullarine Well), to slightly conical to conical (Normanton; Lake Eyre). Coiling in the male gonoporal process varies from 6 coils (Normanton; Lake Eyre), to 10–15 (Tullarine Well), to 15–20 in a tightly coiled, extremely long and narrow process (Quilpie, Qld).

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 11. Germalus victoriae, male, dorsal view: 9, habitus; 10, head, pronotum and scutellum enlarged; 11, head enlarged (Figs. 9 – 11 a, Victoria Desert SA; 11 b, Careel Bay NSW; 11 c, Bogan River NSW).

FIGURES 12 – 16. Germalus victoriae, female: 12, abdominal dorsum; 13, abdominal venter; 14, spermatheca; 15, 16, ovipositor.

FIGURES 17 − 26. Germalus victoriae, male: 17, abdominal dorsum; 18, abdominal venter; 19, pygophore, dorsal view; 20 – 22, aedeagus, different views; 23, ejaculatory reservoir, enlarged; 24 – 26 paramere, different views. Abbreviations: b, body; c, conjunctiva; gp, gonoporal process; hp, helicoid process; ilt, inner laterotergite; ph, phallotheca; sp, spiracle; ssc, scent gland scar; v, vesica; w, wing; III – VII, abdominal tergites.