Crux boudica Trewick 2024, sp. nov.

Type Species: Crux boudica Trewick sp. nov.

(Figures 3–6)

Material. Holotype ♀. Ulva Island, Rakiura-Stewart Island, S.A. Trewick 23, April 2012, MPN CW3370, NMNZ AI.062526; Paratype: ♂. Same data as holotype. MPN CW3369, NMNZ AI.062527. Found together in decaying log. Other material (Table 1).

Description.

Dimensions: Adult female total length (from anterior of head to posterior tip of ovipositor) about 25.9 mm; antennae 3–3.5 body length; length (anterior of head to posterior of abdomen) 16.15 mm; pronotum length 4.65 mm; ovipositor 12.6 mm; fore femur length 8.67 mm; mid femur length 7.68 mm; hind femur length 13.6 mm and depth 4.07 mm; fore tibia 7.76 mm; mid tibia 7.27 mm; hind tibia length 14.7 mm (Figure 4).

Legs: Femora, fore tibiae and mid tibiae paler than dorsal abdomen, but with some darker markings. Legs are robust and glabrous except for inferior surfaces, which are clothed in fine gold-brown hairs. Hind tibiae and femora similar in length, approximately equal to the body length. Fore femora with no apical spines. Mid femora with one retrolateral apical spine. Hind femora short, stout, with stout, fixed, spines towards the posterior end of the prominent inferior carinae; 1 retrolateral and 1 (sometimes 2) prolateral. Fore tibiae with three inferior linear spines, 2 prolateral and 1retrolateral. Fore tibiae with 2 superior apical spines (1 prolateral and 1 retrolateral), and 2 inferior apical spines spines (1 prolateral and 1 retrolateral). Mid tibiae with same spine combination as fore tibiae. Hind tibiae naked above, fine gold hairs beneath and with two rows of prominent, stout, sharp, fixed spines; ~7 along superior prolateral margin and ~8 along superior retrolateral margin. Hind tibiae with a pair of small articulated, inferior apical spines, a pair of articulated, lateral apical spines, and a pair of longer, articulated superior apical spines. Hind tarsi with 1 st and 4 th segments longer than the 2nd and 3rd; unarmed except 1 st and 2 nd segments each bear a pair of backward leaning, stout, fixed spines near distal end of superior surface (Figure 5).

Female. Posterior sternites armed with backward pointing projections either side of midline (Figure 4). Sternites with some hairs. Sternite IV has at least one pair of triangular, light-coloured projections. Sternite V has a pair of longer pale projections extending beyond the posterior margin of the sternite. Sternite VI has several pairs of projections on the ventral surface and posterior margin, that are dominated by a pair of long, stout, curved, darktipped structures that extend beyond the posterior margin of the sternite. This sternite (VI) has a broad medial notch from under which a pale orange-brown tumescent subgenital plate emerges. The bifid subgenital plate bears numerous pale, outward pointing setae (cactus-like). The internal span of this structure is similar in width to the adjacent ovipositor keel. Ovipositor long and straight, curving only slightly upwards towards the posterior end. Very pale cream at base especially on underside, rich amber brown in posterior half. Valves are smooth, although ventral valves slightly undulating near the tip. Cerci stout, with fine amber hairs, and a dark ring below a cream tip.

Colouration: Mid to dark brown with cream patches on pro-, meso- and metanotum, sometimes with a hint of pale posterior-pointing V across tergites (Figure 3, 4).

Male: Similar to female in colour and leg spine combinations. Length 18.4mm; fore femur length 8.16 mm; mid femur length 7.52 mm; hind femur length 13.69mm; fore tibia 7.84 mm; mid tibia length 7.2 mm; hind tibia length 14.45 mm. Subgenital plate short, broad, simple with concave posterior margin. Tergite IX with hairy, depressed central lobe terminating in two sharp, downward-pointing teeth. Styli narrow, cylindrical with pale tip, numerous hairs, projecting away from body and curving gently downwards. Cerci stout and tapering towards tip, diffuse darker band prior to pale tip, abundant long and short golden hairs. Paraproct extends beyond subgenital plate but similar length to styli. Paraprocts are two cupped lateral valves forming a cone that is pale beneath, and with pale orange lateral surfaces and bearing a prominent tuft of stout ginger hairs at the tip (Figure 6).

Distribution: Rakiura, Stewart Island, New Zealand. Skippers Range, Fiordland. Entomological Regions Westland WD, Stewart Island SI.

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Etymology. After Boudica the renowned warrior queen of the Icene, who is said to have ridden a scythed chariot; in recognition of the unusual ‘armaments’ carried by the female.