Clonia (Clonia) wahlbergi subsp. wahlbergi wahlbergi Stal 1855

Clonia (Clonia) wahlbergi wahlbergi Stål, 1855

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Orthoptera.speciesfile.org:TaxonName:4200

(Figs. 22 F–I, 50D–F)

Diagnostic remarks. The largest katydid in Mozambique, unmistakable in the combination of the long, narrowly folded wings that are always held high above the abdomen, long and spiny legs (Fig. 22F), and two oblique white stripes on the sides of the thorax (Fig. 22I). From its relative Peringueyella it differs in a more robust head (Fig. 22H), the shape of the male cerci (Fig. 22G), and much longer wings.

Bioacoustics. The call of C. wahlbergi is a long, ninterrupted train of syllables produced at the rate of 42–44 syllables/s (at 26°C); mean syllable duration is 0.01502 s (SD=0.002084, n=83); the peak frequency of the call is 14.6–16.3 kHz (Figs. 50 D–F). The call is audible to the human ear from a few meters as a rattling buzz.

Distribution and natural history. C. wahlbergi is known from eastern parts of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique (provinces Maputo, Sofala, and Manica) (Kaltenbach 1971). It is associated with dry open woodland savanna, where it can be found on grasses and short bushes. In Gorongosa adults start appearing at the end of the dry season in late September, several weeks before the onset of the first rains, and survive until the end of June. These katydids are strictly predaceous, feeding mostly on orthopteroid insects, such as other katydids.

Measurements (4 males, 3 females). body w/wings: male 57–86.2 (70.415.6), female 92.8–100.3 (96.73.8); body w/o wings: male 52–93 (71.720.4), female 84.6–92.5 (88.84); pronotum: male 7.9–10 (91.2), female 9.8; tegmen: male 61–68 (64.63.7), female 74.2–77.6 (75.61.8); hind femur: male 48–50.5 (49.61.1), female 51.2–55.6 (53.42.2); ovipositor: 29.3–29.6 (29.5.2) mm.

Material examined (27 specimens). Mozambique: Manica, Sussundenga, Nhahomba Ranger Station, Mussapa, elev. 606 m (-19.585799, 33.084969), 26.xi.–2.xii.2018, coll. P. Naskrecki & M. Tomás— 3 females, 1 male; Sofala, Gorongosa, GNP, (-18.95202, 34.37347), 20–25.xi.2017, coll. D. Artur & N. Vicente— 1 male; GNP, Wilson Laboratory, (-18.977761, 34.35115), 15–30.xi.2016, coll. P. Naskrecki— 3 males; Gorongosa Dist., Chitengo, elev. 29 m (-18.981944, 34.351222), 28.ix.2014, coll. A. Marchington— 1 male; GNP, nr. Abelha ranger station, elev. 24 m (-19.04889, 34.47153), 17.vi.2012, coll. P. Naskrecki—1 nymph male (EOWL); Nhagutua, elev. 221 m (- 18.64339, 34.81425), 10–15.vi.2012, coll. P. Naskrecki—2 nymphs (MCZ).