Rhodomatis pulchella (Tepper)

Milledge, Graham A., 2014, A revision of Rhodomantis Giglio-Tos, 1917 (Mantodea: Mantidae: Mantinae), Zootaxa 3797 (1), pp. 39-64 : 41-43

Rhodomatis pulchella (Tepper)

( Figs. 1–4 , 23–24 , 41–43, 50 , 53 )

Pseudomantis pulchellus Tepper, 1904: 163–64 .

Rhodomantis pulchellus (Tepper) — Giglio-Tos, 1917: 45

Rhodomantis pulchella (Tepper) — Tindale, 1923: 444

Truxomantis kimberleyensis (Sjöstedt) — Tindale, 1923: 444

Type material examined. Holotype female of Rhodomantis pulchella, Wells Expd. , North West S.A., March 1903, H. Basedow, I 13779 ( SAM) . Syntype male of Truxomantis kimberleyensis, Kimberley dist., N.V. Australia, Feb , Mjöberg ( NHRS KAJO 000000074 ) . Syntype female of Truxomantis kimberleyensis, Noonkanbah, Kimberley dist., N.V. Australia, Sep , Mjöberg ( NHRS KAJO 000000075 ) .

Other material examined. Queensland. 1♂, Adels Grove, near Lawn Hill Gorge , 18°41’S 138°32’E, 18 Dec 1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds . 1♂, Butcher Creek , 20 km W of Cloncurry, 21 Jan 1977, M.S. & B.J. Moulds . 1♂, Dugald River crossing, 75 km NNW of Cloncurry, 20°05’S 140°22’E, 17 Dec 1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds (all AM) . 2♀. 12 km W of Bogantungan , 29 Dec 1961, M.J.D. White . 1♂, 43 km WNW of Canobie H.S., 13 Apr 1962, K.H.L. Key & E.L. Corby . 1♂, 37 km ENE of Condamine , 22 Mar 1962, Chinnick & Corby . 2♂, 15 km NE of Camooweal , 19 Apr 1962, K.H.L. Key & E.L. Corby . 1♀, 21 km ESE of Dajarra , 21°52’S 139°35’E, 26 apr 1976, Key, Balderson et al . 1♂, 18 km W of Emerald , 27 Dec 1955, M.J.D. White (all ANIC) 1♀, Charleville , 15 Mar 1921, Mr. Caldwell ( NMV) .

New South Wales. 1♂, 10 km NW of Angledool , 4 May 1957, Key & Chinnick . 1♀, 2 km NW of Cumborah , 24 Apr 1957, Key & Chinnick (all ANIC) .

Northern Territory. 1♂, 27 km S of Rabbit Flat , 20°22’31”S 130°08”32”E, 12 Jan 2002, M.S. & B.J. Moulds . 2♂, Tilmouth Well, Napperby Creek , 22°48’40”S 132°35’40”E, 13 Jan 2001, M.S. & B.J. Moulds (all AM) . 1♂, Alice Springs , 23°42’S 133°53’E, 3 Oct 1972, K.H.L. Key et al . 1♀, Alice Springs , 15 Mar 1955, K.H.L. Key . 1♀, Alice Springs, Meyers Hill Flora Reserve , 23°42’S 133°53’E, 1 Nov 1980, K.H.L. Key . 1♀, 5 km SE of Alice Springs , 18 Mar 1955, K.H.L. Key . 1♂, 10 km NE of Alice Springs , 23°37’S 133°54’E, 6 Nov 1979, T. Weir . 1♀, 18 km N of Alice Springs , 19 Mar 1955, K.H.L. Key . 1♂, 39 km E of Alice Springs , 23°41’S 134°15’E, 25-26 Sep 1978, D.C.F. Rentz . 1♂, Clay Pan Well , 38 km NW of Tanami, 12 Apr 1963, L.J. Chinnick . 1♂, 5 km NE of Gosses Bluff , 23°48’S 132°21’E, 8 Apr 1969, H. Pels . 1♂, 35 km S of The Granites Mine , 20°51’S 130°16’E, 29 Nov–2 Dec 1988, D.C.F. Rentz . 1♀, Stuart Hwy. , 100 km N of Alice Springs, 23 May 1983, R.C. Lewis (with four oothecae) . 1♂, Tanami Borehole, 19°59’S 129°42’E, Jul-Sep 1971, J. Hodgson . 1♂, Taylors Creek , 47 km N of Barrow Creek township, 22 Jan 1984, M.S. & B.J. Moulds . 2♂, 20 km S of Tennant Creek , 4 Apr 1958, L.J., M.F. Chinnick & J. Walker . 1♀, 25 km NE of Ti Tree Well , 14 Aug 1969, M.J.D. White . 1♂, Wauchope , 21 Mar 1955, K.H.L. Key (all ANIC) . 3♂, Alice Springs , 27 Nov 1974, W.B.H . 1♀, Glen Helen Lodge, Finke River , 11 Oct 1987, P. Robertson . 1♀, same data except 13 Oct 1987 . 1♀, 5.7 km W of Glen Helen Lodge , 7 Oct 1987, P. Robertson . 2♂, 1♀, Tanami Desert, 10 km WSW of Sangsters Bore, 20°52’S 130°16’E, 28 Oct 1987, P. Robertson . 3♂, Uluru Campsite , 25°23’10”S 131°00’46”E, 25 Oct 1994, G. Milledge . 2♂, same data except 24 Oct 1994 (all NMV) . 1♂, Minstral Ruby Mine , 10 Mar 1983, F. Rankin . 1♂, near Centre of Australia Marker , 25°38’S 134°24’E, 29 Mar 1993, J.A. Forrest & D. Hirst . 1♂, Coniston Station, near Alice Springs , M.W. Mules . 1♂, Finke River , 4 km NE of Finke, 3 Oct 1989, J.A. Forrest . 1♀, Mt Liebig , Aug 1932, N.B. Tindale . 1♀, 0.5–0.6 km S of Ooraminna R.H., 4 Jun 1978, F. & J. Aslin . 1♂, Rugby Gap N.P., 23°28’50”S 134°59’00”E, 20 Mar 1993, J.A. Forrest & D. Hirst. 1♂, same data except 21 Mar 1993 . 1♂, Wave Hill Airfield , 15 Oct 1953, N.B. Tindale (all SAM) .

South Australia. 1 juv., 12 km WSW of Amata, Musgrave ranges, 19 Jan 1982, M.J.D. White . 1♀, 4 km NE of Balgowan, near Maitland , 34°19’S 137°32’E, 28 Jan 1971, K.H.L. Key . 1♂, 1 km W of Port Julia , 34°40’S 137°52’E, 2 Feb 1980, D.C.F. & B.G.F. Rentz . 1♂, 14 km NW of Port Kenny , 33°05’S 134°35’E, 10 Feb 1978, D.C.F. Rentz . 1♀, 13 km NW of Stenhouse Bay, Innes N.P., 35°09’S 136°54’E, 3 Feb 1980, D.C.F. & B.G.F. Rentz . 1♀, 13 km ESE of Venus Bay , 33°17’S 134°48’E, 9 Feb 1978, D.C.F. Rentz . 1♂, Yardaparinna Ck. , 18 Oct 1989, I.Bunic (all ANIC) 1♂, 6 km NW of Renmark , 26 Feb 1986, G. Milledge ( NMV) . 1♂, 11.5 km SSW of Ampeinna Hills , 27°10’S 131°06’E, 19–23 Mar 1995, Pitjantjatjara Lands Survey . 1♂, Cape Elizabeth , Yorke Peninsula, 11- 15 Feb 1957, P.F. Lawson et al . 1♂, Edwards Ck , near old rlwy line, 28°20’S 135°51’E, 16 Mar 1993, J.A. Forrest . 2♂, 1♀, 46.5 km WNW of Emu (ruin), 28°32’13”S 131°44’16”E, 2-4 Apr 2003, Sandy Desert Survey . 2♂, 10 km NW of Emu Junction, Great Victoria Desert , 7 Oct 1976, G.F. Gross & J.A. Herridge . 1♀, 0.9 km NE of Four Hills Trig., Peake Stn. , 28°30’04”S 136°29’35”E, 1–5 Mar 1996, Stony Desert Survey . 1♀, Gammon Ranges NP, near Arcoona Ck , 2 km NE of Owieandana O.S., 6 May 1989, G.F. Gross & J.A. Forrest . 1♂, 32 km N of Innaminka , 11 Oct 1987, J.A. Forrest . 1♀, 9 km SE of Maryinna Hill , 27°01’S 131°17’E, 14-18 Mar 1995, Pitjantjatjara Lands Survey . 2♀, 14.2 km ESE of Maryinna Hill , 27°00’S 131°21’E, 14-18 Mar 1995, Pitjantjatjara Lands Survey . 1♀, 3.2 km NE of Mt. Gow , 26°32’35”S 140°43’44”E, 31 Oct–5 Nov 1994, Stony Desert Survey . 2♂, Mt. Painter , Flinders Ranges, H.G. Stokes . 1♀, Ngarket C.P., b/n Box Flat & 26 km S, 18 Mar 1992, E.G. M. & J.A.F . 1♀, Olympic Dam Site , 2–5 Nov 1987, E.G. Matthews & C. Waite . 1♀, Ooldea—Jaloramine (?), Nov 1898, R.T. Maurice, 10 Feb 1903 . 1♀, Parachilna , Flinders Range . 1♀, Port Augusta . 4♂, Serpentine Lakes , 28°30’S 129°00’25”E, 15 Apr 1994, J.A. Forrest . 1♂, same data except 17 Apr 1994 . 1♂, Talia , W.C . 1♂, 54 km E of Vokes Hill Junction , 9 Oct 1976, D.C. Lee . 2♂, 17.1 km E of Vokes Hill Corner , 28°34’08”S 130°51’23”E, 11–14 Apr 2002, Sandy Desert Survey . 1♂, Wirrabara. 1♀, Wirrealpa Stn, 5.8 km WNW of Wirrealpa HS, 31°06’18”S 138°54’12”E, 15–25 Mar 1999, Flinders Ra. Survey . 1♂, Wyola Lakes , 29°09’S 130°14’E, 21 Apr 1994, G. Gross (all SAM) .

Victoria. 1♀, Big Desert, Chinamans Well, 35°56’S 141°40’E, 18–27 Mar 1984 , A.J. Coventry. 1♀, 2.5 km NNW of Hattah , 29 Jan 1986 , G. Milledge. 1♂, 12 km SSW of Murrayville , 35°21’S 141°09’E, 24 Feb 1986 , A. Bennett. 3♂, 1♀, 16.8 km SSW of Murrayville , 32° 25’S 141°09’E, 17 Feb 1987 , G. Milledge. 1♂, same data except 26 Feb 1987 . 1♀, 20.8 km SSW of Murrayville , 35°26’E 141°10’E, 20 Feb 1987 , G. Milledge. 1♂, Western District , Nov 1984 , Mr. Hill (all NMV) .

Western Australia. 2♂, Pilbara dist., Hillside-Marble Bar Rd , 60 km SW of Marble Bar, 21°30’29”S 119°26’54”E, 29 May 1999 , Cassis & Silveira. 1♂, Winjana Gorge , 140 km E of Derby, 31 Oct 1978 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds (all AM) . 1♂, Applecross , 25 Feb 1961 , K.R. Norris. 1♀, 1 km N of Arrow Lake, near Kalgoorlie , 16 Feb 1979 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, 1♀, 9 km WNW of Balladonia Hotel , 1 Mar 1981 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, 23 km WSW of Barradale , 22°56’S 114°45’E, 30 Mar 1971 , Upton & Mitchell. 1♀, 2 km SSE of Boorabbin , 31°13’S 120°19’E, 19 Feb 1980 , D.C.F. Rentz. 1♂, 23 km SSE of Boulder , 17 Feb 1978 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, Brogo Hill , 160 km S of Halls Creek, 22 Oct 1985 , M. Golding. 1♂, same data except 14 Feb 1985 . 5♂, 5 km N of Coolawanyah H.S., NW of Wittenoom , 21 Apr 1963 , L.J. Chinnick. 1♂, Dunham River , 100 km S of Wyndham, 3 Jan 1986 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 1♂, Gahnia Rockhole , 1–2 Feb 1967 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, 8 km N of Kambalda , 8 Feb 1979 , M.J.D. White. 1♀, 16 km SW of Kambalda , 16 Feb 1979 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, Karratha , 26 Oct 1978 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 1♂, 1♀, 2 juv, Knousel Tank , 40 km WSW of Eucla, 12 Feb 1978 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, Mt. Leonora, near Leonora , 13 Feb 1981 , M.J.D. White. 2♀, Malcolm , 21 Feb 1979 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, 5 km S of Malcolm , 21 Feb 1981 , M.J.D. White. 1♂, 47 km WSW of Margaret River H.S., 12 Apr 1958 , L.J., M.F. Chinnick & J. Walker. 1♀, 83 km ENE of Meekatharra , 29 Apr 1963 , L.J. Chinnick. 1♂, 0.5 km WNW of Millstream H.S., 21°35’S 117°04’E, 7 Apr 1971 , Upton & Mitchell. 3♂, same data except 5 km SE of Millstream H.S., 12 Apr 1971 . 3♂, 1 km SSW of Millstream H.S., 21°35’S 117°04’E, 30 Oct 1970 , M.S. Upton & J.E. Feehan. 1♂, same data except 1 km N of Millstream H.S., 28 Oct 1970 . 1♂, same data except 1 km NE of Millstream H.S., 6 Nov 1970 . 1♂, same data except 2 km ENE of Millstream H.S., 30 Oct 1970 . 3♂, 15 km E of Millstream H.S., 21°35’S 117°12’E, 20 Oct 1970 , M.S. Upton & J.E. Feehan. 3♂, 1 km NE of Millstream H.S., 21°35’S 117°04’E, 23 Apr 1971 , Key, Upton & Mitchell. 1♀, 24 km SE of Millstream H.S., 21°48’S 117°08’E, 23 Apr 1971 , Key & Upton. 1♀, 2 km N of Nanutarra H.S., 22°20’S 115°29’E, 28 Apr 1971 , Key, Upton & Mitchell. 1♂, Nedlands , 4 Feb 1941 , K.R. Norris. 2♂, 8 km E of Newman , 16 Jan 1972 , M.J.D. White. 2♂, 40 km ENE of Pardoo H.S., Great Northern Hwy , 23 Nov 1973 , L.P. Kelsey. 1♀, 57 km ENE of Pardoo H.S., 18 Apr 1963 , L.J. Chinnick. 2♂, 12 km SSW of Port Hedland , 19 Apr 1963 , L.J.Chinnick. 2♂, 85 km ENE of Port Hedland , 18 Apr 1963 , L.J. Chinnick 1♂, 32 km SSE of Wittenoom , 23 Apr 1963 , L.J.Chinnick. 1♀, Yundaga Siding, near Menzies , 21 Feb 1982 , M.J.D. White (all ANIC) . 1♂, Moola Bulla Stn. , 27 Sep 1953 , N.B. Tindale. 1♂, same data except 29 Sep 1953 . 1♂, Pilgangoora Well , 5 Jun 1953 , N.B. Tindale. 1♂, Port Hedland , 9 July 1953 , N.B. Tindale (all SAM) . 1♂, Comet Vale Siding , 29°57’S 121°07’E, 7–15 Mar 1979 , T. F. Houston et al., 90/462. 1♂, Cunderin , 1914–1365 . 1♂, Roeburne , 1914–786 . 1♂, Cottesloe , Feb 1913 , 6878. 1♂, Kidson Airfield, near Well 33, Canning Stock Route , 20 Dec 1971 , P. Williams, 90/440. 3♂, Liveringa , 52–1452, 52–1454 & 52–1455 . 2♂, Bungabiddy Rockhole , Walter James Ra., 24°39’S 128°45’E, 15–16 Jan 1990 , T. F. Houston & M. S. Harvey, 90/497 & 90/498. 2♂, N of Tom Price , 19 Jan 1974 , A. M. & M. J. Douglas, 90/488 & 90/499. 1♂, White Mountain , 7 Jun 1966 , P. W. Kendrick, 90/421. 1♂, Billy Well Ck. , 20 km NE of Mt Sandiman H.S., 11–13 May 1981 , B. Hanich & T. F. Houston, 90/481. 1♂, Binnu , 26 Mar 1965 , M. de Graff, 90/413. 1♀, 2.5 km N of Mt. Linden , 29°19’S 122°25’E, 17–23 Mar 1979 , T. F. Houston et al, 90/465. 1♀, 7.8 km SSE of Mt Linden , 29°19’S 122°25’E, 17–23 Mar 1979 , T. F. Houston et al, 90/466. 1♀, Marandoo townsite, 22°38’S 118°06’E, 5–19 May 1980, 22°38’S 118°06’E, 5–19 May 1980 , T. F. Houston et al, 90/475. 1♀, Killagurra Spring, Durba Hills, Canning Stock Route , 20 May 1972 , M. de Graff, 90/443. 1♀, S of Roy Hill & Fortescue River, Pilbara , 19 Jun 1960 , Lemley Expd., 90/433 (all WAM) .

Diagnosis. Males of this species can be distinguished from others in the genus by being only slightly brachypterous and by the genitalia ( Figs. 23–24 ) having the combination of compact pa and elongate spiniform dpr. Females can be distinguished from those of R. rentzi and R. micoptera by having the tegmina reaching the caudal margin of the second abdominal tergite and from R. macula by the possession of apical hooks on the ventral lobes of the ovipositor ( Figs. 41–43 ).

Description. Body ( Figs. 1–4 ) elongate and slender. Colour brown, yellow brown or grey brown—the colour of dry grass. Frontal shield with strong subanntenal ridge. Ocelli of male well developed, of female poorly developed. Antennae of male about same length as prothorax, of female about one half to two thirds the length of prothorax. Prothorax moderately elongate. Foreleg with coxa slightly shorter than metazone, femur with claw groove situated at about mid point. Male volant but slightly brachypterous, wings reaching from half way along fifth abdominal tergite to caudal margin of sixth abdominal tergite; tegmen with costal area opaque cream coloured with thin blackish line on posterior margin; discoidal area semi opaque, sometimes flecked with darker spots; anal lobe transparent to slightly infumate; hindwing with costal and discoidal areas semi opaque, reddish brown toward base; anal area partially to completely infumate, darker proximally, with contrasting transparent areas at cross veins creating speckled appearance. Female strongly brachypterous, wings reaching caudal margin of second abdominal tergite; tegmen opaque, costal area similar in colour to male, discoidal area sometimes flecked with darker spots, anal lobe infumate; hindwing opaque, costal and discoidal areas reddish brown in proximal two thirds, anal area dark brownish black with bluish sheen, contrasting transparent areas at cross veins limited to anterior third. Abdomen elongate and slender, supra-anal plate triangular, cerci reaching beyond tip of abdomen in male, to about tip of abdomen in female.

Male genitalia with dpr a strongly sclerotized curved spine; pa compact with small blunt projection anteriorly; medial lobe of vph prominent and curved dorsally, anterior portion of vph broad; apr rather elongate and narrowed distally. Female ventral ovipositor valves with hooks ( Figs. 41–43 ).

Variation: male specimens from the central western part of Western Australia have a relatively shorter prothorax and cerci than specimens from elsewhere. They also differ slightly in genital morphology in that the apr is relatively compact and the dpr is curved more dorsally.

Measurements (mm). Body length, ♂ 37.3 (34.6–51.2), ♀ 60.4 (45.8–70.0). Head width, ♂ 3, ♀ 5. Head depth, ♂ 2, ♀ 3.5. Pronotum length, ♂ 9.2, ♀ 17.4. Pronotum width, ♂ 1.7, ♀ 3.2. Forecoxa length, ♂ 4.8, ♀ 9.2. Forefemur length, ♂ 6.9, ♀ 12.5. Tegmen length, ♂ 21.9, ♀ 12.7. Abdomen length, ♂ 17.3, ♀ 31.2.

Immature stages. Nymphs similar in appearance to adults. Ootheca sandy brown and short in length (based on single specimen deposited by a female collected from 100 km N of Alice Springs, fig. 50).

Distribution and habits. Found throughout the drier regions of mainland Australia ( Fig. 53 ). The author has collected specimens of this species in dry grasses from several localities.

Remarks. The holotype female is glued to a card and in poor condition, with the hind legs missing.

This widespread species is variable in size and colour. It is likely that the oothecae of this species and others in the genus with terminal ovipositor hooks are laid in the soil, although this has only apparently been observed in one species, R. queenslandica . The hooks are most probably adaptations for digging.

Figures

FIGURE 53. Rhodomantis species distributions. R. pulchella (Tepper) (circle with cross); R. helenae n. sp. (black circle); R. queenslandica (Sjöstedt) (black triangle); R. kimberley n. sp. (black cross); R. mitchell n. sp. (circle with black centre); R. napier n. sp. (black star).

FIGURES 1–6. Rhodomantis, dorsal habitus. R. pulchella (Tepper): 1, male; 2, male wings; 3, female; female wings. R. queenslandica (Sjöstedt): 5, male; 6, female.

FIGURES 23–26. Rhodomantis, male genitalia. R. pulchella (Tepper): 23, dorsal aspect, left and ventral phallomeres (ml = median lobe, pa = phalloid apophysis, apr = apical process); 24, ventral aspect, right and ventral phallomeres (vph = ventral phallomere, dpr = distal process). R. queenslandica (Sjöstedt): 25, dorsal aspect, left and ventral phallomeres; 26, ventral aspect, right and ventral phallomeres. Scales = 1mm.

FIGURES 41–52. Rhodomantis, terminal abdominal segments of females and oothecae. R. pulchella (Tepper) abdomen: 41, dorsal; 42, dorsolateral; 43 ventral. R. macula n. sp. abdomen: 44, dorsal; 45, dorsolateral; 46, ventral. R. microptera n. sp. abdomen: 47, dorsal; 48, dorsolateral; 49, ventral. Oothecae: 50, R. pulchella; 51, R. queenslandica (Sjöstedt); 52, R. queenslandica, laid in soil.