Stenopelmatus erythromelas Walker

Red-Black Jerusalem Cricket

Figs. 45–47

1869. Stenopelmatus erythromelas. Lectotype adult female (Fig. 45) here chosen. Catalogue of the specimens of Dermaptera Saltatoria in the collection of the British Museum 1:193. (1) Red label holotype. (2) One of Walkers series so named erythromelas. (3) Stenopelmatus erythromelas Walker. From Mexico. Although label says one of Walkers series, according to Hubbell (1960) this is the only specimen now in the collection at NHMUK, and original description only lists one female “14 lines” (one line equals 1/12 of an inch, so 14 lines equals about 33 mm) in body length. Plus, Judith Marshall confirms (pers. comm. DBW 1/2020) that label #2 was placed before Walker’s types were properly checked for status, and that NHMUK prefers to leave such erroneous labels even after confirmation of uniqueness. Measurements in mm: Body length 30, hind femur length 14.1, hind femur width 5.0. The rear leg tibial spines (Fig. 46) and ovipositor (Fig. 46), indicate that this specimen probably belongs in Stenopelmatus. Face (Fig. 47) with furrow. New status: Nomen dubium, given the absence of more specific locality data and any distinguishing physical features.

Derivation of name. “erythros” is Greek for red; “melas” is black according to Judith Marshall, apparently in reference to the reddish (orange) head, pronotum, and legs contrasting with the black abdomen, the latter the probable result of discoloration upon drying.

Discussion. The original description says “There are traces of wings.” As this is an adult female, such wings, or pads, should be readily visible, and they are not. Judith Marshall, who examined this specimen in 1998, wrote that one might erroneously think the trochantin is a small wing pad. Additionally, Hubbell (1960) made no note of seeing any wing pads and we also didn’t see any pads when we examined the type in 1998.