Figs 1–4, 5B, 57–68
Platybrachys signata Distant, 1892: 281 [described, compared to Platybrachys transversa (Walker, 1858)].
Platybrachys signata – Kirkaldy 1906: 444 [listed]. — Hacker 1924: 39 [recorded from Brisbane]. — Metcalf 1956: 58 [catalogued].
non Platybrachys signata – Lallemand 1935: 675 [recorded from Burnside, Northern Territory;
misidentification!]
In the original description, Distant (1892) mentioned a “var. a ” which shows tegmina with a transverse fuscous fascia near base, and a “var. b ” which lacks the apical grey spot on the posterior wings.
The species can be recognized by the following combination of characters:
(1) posterior margin of the lateroventral lobes of the pygofer (lvl) broadly rounded in lateral view (Fig. 62A) and rounded in ventral view (Fig. 62C), inner margin of lobes straight in ventral view (Fig. 62C), ventral margin rounded in caudal view (Fig. 62E);
(2) posterior margin of laterodorsal process of gonostylus (ldg) oblique, leaving deep, acute, open angle between laterodorsal process and ventral process of gonostylus (vp) in lateral view (Fig. 62A);
(3) crest of furcate process of periandrium (cfp) only along distal portion and not merging basally (Fig. 64D), in lateral view, smoothly tapering towards apex (Fig. 64E);
(4) laterodorsal process of periandrium (ldp) evenly tapering from base towards apex and abruptly curved dorsad at mid-length, shorter than lateroventral process (lvp) (Fig. 64D–E);
(5) lateroventral process of periandrium (lvp) weakly flattened dorsoventrally only in basal portion and curved dorsolaterad distally (Fig. 64D–F);
(6) apicodorsal process of aedeagus (adp) weakly sinuate, rather weakly dilated then elongately tapering distally and longer than apicoventral process (avp) (Fig. 64A–C);
(7) posterior wing with well contrasted, large whitish marking along sutural margin (Figs 57A, 60E).
Lectotype (here designated to provide a reference standard for this species) AUSTRALIA • ♂ (Fig. 57); Peak Downs; [22°19′30″ S, 148°0′0″ E]; “ signata Dist. ”, “Type”, “Distant Coll. 1911–383”; BMNH.
Paralectotypes AUSTRALIA • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀ (Figs 58–59); Peak Downs; [22°19′30″ S, 148°0′0″ E]; “Distant Coll. 1911– 383”; BMNH.
Additional material
AUSTRALIA – Queensland • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Brisbane, One Tree Hill; [27°29′05″ S, 152°57′33″ E]; Jul. 1919; F. Muir leg.; BPBM • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; Feb. 1920; F. Muir leg.; BPBM • 2 ♂♂; Brisbane; [27°28′04″ S, 153°01′41″ E]; [no date]; A.M. Lea leg.; SAM • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; 18 Jan. 1921;? leg.; SAM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 2 Nov. 1945; W. Arndt leg.; UQIC Reg.#43548; QM • 1 spec. (abdomen missing); same locality as for preceding; 4 Mar. 1952; DJT leg.; UQIC Reg.#43554; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Jan. 1923;? leg.; UQIC Reg.#42753; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42754; QM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 27 Mar. 1923; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 6 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; 8 Feb. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 5 Mar. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♀; Brisbane; same locality as for preceding; 5 Feb. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 26 Sep. 1916; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 26 Nov. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 6 Nov. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♂; Brisbane, Oxley; [27°33′42″ S, 152°58′32″ E]; 25 Sep. 1923; H. Hacker leg.; QM • 1 ♀; Brisbane; [27°28′04″ S, 153°01′41″ E]; 18 Mar. 1948; R. Simms leg.; UQIC Reg.#43547; QM • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 5 Feb. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; 26 Mar. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 8 Feb. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 5 Mar. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 4 Mar. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 26 Nov. 1922; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 3 Oct. 1912; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha; 27°28′50″ S, 152°57′15″ E; 23 Apr. 1924; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 1 spec. (abdomen missing); same locality as for preceding; 22 Apr. 1924; H. Hacker leg.; USNM • 2 ♂♂; Brisbane; [27°28′04″ S, 153°01′41″ E]; Illidge leg.; Code K43747; AMS • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 15 Apr. 1922; G.H. Hardy leg.; QM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Jan. 1930; C. Borch leg.; MVMA • 1 ♂; Maryborough; [25°32′15″ S, 152°42′07″ E]; Apr. 1962; R. O’Brien leg.; Ex Evans Coll.; MJF collection, code MJF003236; ASCU • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Mar. 1958; R. O’Brien leg.; Ex Evans Coll.; MJF collection, code MJF003239; ASCU • 1 ♂; Bundaberg; [24°52′ S, 152°21′ E]; May 1971; H. Frauca leg.; in Eucalyptus woodland; ANIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Watalgan Range, ca 34 miles NE of Bundaberg; [24°45′00″ S, 152°03′01″ E]; Apr. 1971; H. Frauca leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; 15 km W of Paluma; [19°00′21″ S, 146°05′17″ E]; 22 Jan. 1996; J. Bugeja leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; Biggenden, Mt Walsh Nat. Park, Bluff Range; [25°33′59″ S, 152°03′02″ E]; 17 Aug. 1971; H. Frauca leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 5 Jan. 1972; H. Frauca leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Biggenden, Degilbo Creek; [25°35′49″ S, 152°00′40″ E]; 7 May 1972; H. Frauca leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; 50 km S of Ayr; [20°01′56″ S, 147°24′24″ E]; 11 Sep. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; 40 km S of Ayr; [19°55′37″ S, 147°24′24″ E]; 10 Sep. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; RBINS • 1 ♂; 25 km S of Ayr; [19°48′04″ S, 147°24′24″ E]; 9 Sep. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♀; 35 km SW of Ayr; [19°48′44″ S, 147°09′31″ E]; 6 Oct. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; Woodgate; [25°05′00″ S, 152°31′00″ E]; 25 Aug. 1970; K.J. Lambkin leg.; QM • 1 ♂; Lawes; [27°33′40″ S, 152°19′51″ E]; 3 Jan. 1957; W.F. Wildin leg.; UQIC Reg.#43693; QM • 1 ♂; Tibrogargan Creek; [26°56′08″ S, 152°56′57″ E]; 11 Sep. 1956; S. Sekon leg.; UQIC Reg.#43551; QM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 11 Sep. 1956; H.J. Lavery leg.; UQIC Reg.#43698; QM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 10 miles SSE of Collinsville; [20°40′53″ S, 147°51′27″ E]; 14 Sep. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; 5 km S of Collinsville; [20°37′00″ S, 147°51′47″ E]; 16 Jan. 1967; M.S. and B. Moulds leg.; ASCT HE019104; ASCT • 1 ♂; Pentland; [20°31′59″ S, 145°23′11″ E]; Aug.–Oct. 1942; J.G. Brooks leg.; AMS • 1 ♂; 10 miles SW of Townsville; [19°23′34″ S, 146°41′54″ E]; 12 Nov. 1962; E. Ross and D. Cavagnaro leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Queensland; identified as Olonia rubicunda by E. Schmidt; ZMPA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Bowen; [20°00′31″ S, 148°11′54″ E]; 27 Sep. 1950; E.F. Riek leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Brisbane, Toowong; [27°29′13″ S, 152°59′02″ E]; 18 Jan. 1922; L. Franzen leg.; SAM • 1 ♀; Taroom; [25°38′29″ S, 149°48′01″ E]; 30 Aug. 1919; no collector data; code 6813; QDPI • 1 ♂; Toowoomba; 27°34′00″ S, 151°57′00″ E; 28 Mar. 1920; J.A. Beck leg.; UQIC Reg.#42749; QM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42750; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42751; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42752; QM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Toowoomba; [27°34′00″ S, 151°57′00″ E]; 26 Apr. 1920; J.A. Beck leg.; W.W. Froggatt coll.; ANIC • 1 ♂; Maroochydore; [26°39′15″ S, 153°05′00″ E]; 20 Sep. 1920; J.A. Beck leg.; UQIC Reg.#42745; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42746; QM • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42748; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; UQIC Reg.#42747; QM • 1 ♂; Carnarvon Range; [25°23′48″ S, 148°36′48″ E]; Mar. 1944; N. Geary leg.; AMS • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 20 Dec. 1938; N. Geary leg.; AMS • 1 ♀; Calavos; [24°56′07″ S, 152°25′47″ E]; 2 Sep. 2001; L.J. Cookson leg.; code 11934; MVMA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; code 11935; MVMA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Rockhampton; [23°22′30″ S, 150°30′42″ E]; 26–27 Dec. 1967; J. and M. Sedlacek leg.; BPBM • 1 ♂; Macrossan; [19°59′50″ S, 146°26′22″ E]; 10 Jun. 1958; K.L. Harley leg.; ANIC • 3 ♂♂; Dalby; [27°10′53″ S, 151°15′58″ E]; 1935; N. Geary leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 1934; N. Geary leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; Duaringa; [23°42′52″ S, 149°40′15″ E]; 18 Sep. 1923; QM • 2 ♂♂; Clermont; [22°49′23″ S, 147°38′18″ E]; Jan. 1929; K.K. Spence leg.; AMS • 1 ♂; Cania Gorge National Park; 24°42′47″ S, 150°59′13″ E; 12 Dec. 2019; light trap; J. Constant, F. Martoni, M. Moir and L. Semeraro leg.; QM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; RBINS • 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 9–10 Mar. 2020; on Gossia bidwillii / Corymbia sp.; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; RBINS • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; QM • 1 ♂; Lords Table Plateau, site 2; 22°39′30″ S, 148°01′00″ E; 10 Jan.–7 Mar. 2006; J. C. Burwell leg.; 6401 ♂; Malaise trap; Eucalyptus woodland; code 13362; QM • 1 ♂; 11 km S of Roche Creek; 25°57′ S, 149°54′ E; 9 Oct. 1984; I. Naumann and J. Cardale leg.; ANIC • 1 ♂; Carnarvon National Park, Mt Moffatt Section; 24°58′08″ S, 147°57′13″ E; 21 Nov. 1995; M.E. Irwin and D. Gaimari leg.; code 179,958; INHS • 1 ♂; 5 km N of Leyburn; 27°58′ S, 151°38′ E; 25 Dec. 1987; G. and A. Daniels leg.; UQIC Reg.#43869; QM • 1 ♂; Glendale; 23°14′45″ S, 150°29′15″ E; 9 Apr. 2020; A. McDougall and C. Foelz leg.; on Eucalyptus crebra; RBINS • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 7 Apr. 2020; A. McDougall and C. Foelz leg.; on Eucalyptus crebra; RBINS • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; QM • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 2 Apr. 2020; A. McDougall and C. Foelz leg.; on Eucalyptus crebra; QM • 1 ♀; Condamine; [26°55′33″ S, 150°08′11″ E]; 30 Mar. 1957; N. Geary leg.; AMS • 1 ♀; Lake Broadwater near Dalby; 27°21′ S, 151°06′ E; 27 Sep.; G. and A. Daniels leg.; UQIC Reg. #43982, Site B; QM • 1 ♀; 6 km S of Moranbah; 22°03′ S, 148°04′ E; 20 Dec. 1997 – 26 Apr. 1998; G. Monteith leg.; alt. 220 m; code 5803; flight interception trap, box flat; QM • 1 ♀; Imbil; [26°27′36″ S, 152°40′39″ E]; 7 Feb. 1937; UQIC Reg. #43691; QM • 1 ♀; Townsville, James Cook University; 19°20′ S, 146°46′ E; 17 Nov. 1994; J. R. Makinson leg.; on Melaleuca quinquenervia; code NQExc4-20.P006; ASCT HE003451; ASCU • 1 ♀; Foothills Mt Walsh N.P., 10 km SE of Biggenden; [25°34′00″ S, 152°02′59″ E]; 1–2 Jan. 1972; H. Frauca leg.; ANIC • 1 ♀; Toowoomba; [27°34′00″ S, 151°57′00″ E]; 2 Dec. 1923; QM • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 26 Apr. 1920; J.A. Beck leg.; UQIC Reg.#43632; QM • 1 ♀; Brisbane; [27°28′04″ S, 153°01′41″ E]; 17 Nov. 1951; Urquhart leg.; UQIC Reg. #43552; QM • 1 ♀; Bundaberg; [24°52′ S, 152°21′ E]; 25 May 1960; E.A. Bernays leg.; UQIC Reg. #43674; QM • 1 ♀; Expedition Range N.P., Amphitheatre Camp; 25°12′ S, 148°59′ E; 25 Sep.–18 Dec. 1997; Cook and Monteith leg.; alt. 560 m; open forest; flight interception trap; QM • 1 ♀; Moggill; [27°34′38″ S, 152°52′39″ E]; 10 May 1951; T. Denmead leg.; UQIC Reg. #43550; QM • 1 ♀; Deception Bay; [27°10′55″ S, 153°00′47″ E]; 23 Mar. 1954; O.R. Byrne leg.; UQIC Reg. #43546; QM • 1 ♂; 32 km S of Maryborough; [25°50′43″ S, 152°41′54″ E]; 10 Feb. 1964; J. Sedlacek leg.; BPBM • 1 ♂; Townsville; [19°15′ S, 146°49′ E]; 13 Aug. 1944; F. Bishopp leg.; on Eucalyptus tree; code 44-21324; USNM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Undara Volcanic N.P., Kalkani Crater; 18°13′11″ S, 144°40′02″ E; 3 May 2022; alt. 900–950 m; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; QM • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collecting data as for preceding; RBINS • 1 ♀; Macrossan Park Camping Area; 20°0′06″ S, 146°26′20″ E; 19–20 Apr. 2022; alt. 250 m; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; QM. – New South Wales • 1 ♂; Clarence River; [29°28′16″ S, 153°08′17″ E]; A. and F.R. Zietz leg.; SAM.
Examined from photographs
AUSTRALIA • 2 specs (Fig. 66A–C); Queensland, Brisbane, Karawatha Forest; 27°37′53″ S, 153°04′49″ E; Jun. 2007; on smooth trunk Eucalyptus sp.; P. Chew photogr. • 1 pair, mating (Fig. 67A– B); Queensland, Glendale; 23°14′45″ S, 150°29′15″ E; 8 Mar. 2020; on Eucalyptus crebra; C. Foelz photogr. • 1 pair, mating (Fig. 67C); same locality as for preceding; 15 Mar. 2020; on Eucalyptus crebra; 15 Mar. 2020; A. McDougall photogr.
MEASUREMENTS AND RATIOS. LT: ♂ (n = 50): 10.18 mm (9.15–11.07); ♀ (n = 20): 11.16 mm (10.27–12.65); BV/LV: ♂ (n = 1): 3.80, ♀ (n = 1): 3.82; BF/LF: ♂ (n = 1): 1.38, ♀ (n = 1): 1.35; LP+LM/BT: ♂ (n = 1): 0.77, ♀ (n = 1): 0.74; LM/LP: ♂ (n = 1): 3.03, ♀ (n = 1): 2.93; LTg/BTg: ♂ (n = 1): 2.59, ♀ (n = 1): 2.53; LW/BW: ♂ (n = 1): 1.62, ♀ (n = 1): 1.61.
HEAD (Figs 60A–D, 61A–D). Slightly narrower than thorax. Vertex brown irregularly, moderately to rather densely variegated with black; about 3.8 times as broad as long, concave with all margins slightly carinate; anterior and posterior margins rounded, nearly parallel. Frons mostly black, irregularly, rather moderately variegated with pale brown to reddish on ventral half; 3 paler or reddish spots in a row at level of mid-height of eyes, often a paler or reddish weak transverse band above row of spots, dorsal portion of peridiscal carina sometimes marked with pale brown or reddish; dorsal angles marked with a small, yellow-brown to reddish subtriangular marking; about 1.3–1.4 times as broad as long, slightly convex, slightly rugulose with peridiscal carina slightly marked; upper margin of frons slightly rounded in perpendicular view of frons; lateral margin incurved above lateral projection of frons, slightly rounded to slightly sinuate under the projection. Clypeus brown to reddish brown with median line and regular oblique lines on each side of postclypeus dark brown to black, sometimes strongly developed; anteclypeus dark brown to reddish brown with sides black along outer margin and with median pale yellow-brown to reddish brown line on carina; clypeus reaching mesocoxae, elongate, with median carina on anteclypeus prolongated with obsolete carina on postclypeus; base of clypeus rounded. Labium dark brown, reaching metacoxae, with apical segment as long as broad, acuminate, shorter and slightly more slender than penultimate. Genae pale yellow-brown to reddish brown. Ocelli absent. Antennae brown, not surpassing eye, not visible from above; scape about as long as broad, pedicel subcylindrical, elongate, narrowing towards apex.
THORAX (Figs 60A, C, 61A, C). About 1.30–1.35 times as broad as combined length of pro- and mesonotum. Pronotum brown irregularly variegated with black, mostly like vertex; disc weakly wrinkled, carina parallel to anterior margin and 2 obsolete impressed points on disc usually included in a dark marking; slightly excavate behind middle portion of anterior margin; paranotal lobes pale to dark brown, sometimes suffused with reddish. Mesonotum brown irregularly variegated with black, usually more densely black and generally darker than pronotum, usually with poorly defined black marking in lateral fields; disc weakly wrinkled, median and peridiscal carinae moderately marked; median carina stopped before scutellum. Tegulae bicolour with ventral half black and dorsal half pale brown.
TEGMINA (Figs 60A, C, 61A, C). Pale brown irregularly variegated with black markings, sometimes veins suffused with red up to nodal line; distal portion darker, rarely with very small white apical spot; anteapical transverse white line, often interrupted in middle; usually a broad transverse paler band just before half-length of tegmen, delimitated by a transverse narrow black band at basal ¼, and posteriorly by a second, broader but usually incomplete, black band; black and pale bands more or less developed and contrasted depending on individuals; some specimens without bands, some specimens with only a squarish black marking in middle of clavus reaching sutural margin or limited to A1vein. Flat, elongate, about 2.5–2.6 times as long as broad; costal margin weakly rounded along basal fifth, then straight or very weakly rounded to nodal line; apex rounded.
VENATION. Veins ScP+RA and RP separated close to base; first fork of MP very basal, at the level of ScP+RA–RP separation; first fork of CuA slightly before apex of clavus; clavus closed; Pcu and A1 fused at about ¾ of clavus length; Pcu+A1 reaching apical angle of clavus; numerous cells along posterior half of costal margin; numerous cross-veins on apical third delimitating small elongate cells.
POSTERIOR WINGS (Figs 60E, 61E). Mostly black-brown, narrowly marked with red basally, more or less developed orange basal area extending into a band along costal margin to nodal, and along veins CuP and PCu up to half-length of wing; strongly contrasting, rather large, subrectangular white marking along sutural margin between A1 and last apical veinlets of CuA slightly beyond cubital fold; anal area slightly paler, more greyish, often suffused with orange basally; sometimes with an apical white spot or narrow band along apical margin extending on up to 9 cells. Well developed, as broad as tegmina, about 1.6 times as long as broad, rounded apically; anal area well developed; sutural margin weakly trilobous; not reaching apex of tegmina at rest. All main veins visible from base, forked at or after nodal line and forming a few closed cells; few transverse veinlets delimiting elongate cells on apical ¼; veins A1 and A2 sometimes with 2 terminals.
LEGS (Figs 60A–D, F, 61A–D). Pro- and mesofemora red to reddish brown, more or less variegated with dark brown, turning to dark brown towards apex, reddish part more developed on mesofemora; proand mesotibiae brown dark brown, slightly variegated with paler brown ventrally; pro- and mesotarsi slightly paler than corresponding tibia but darker apically; metafemora and tibiae red to brown, with basal ¾ of femora paler than tibiae, and distal portion of femora darker than tibiae; metatarsi and apex of metatibiae darker; apex of tibial and tarsal spines darker. Pro- and mesofemora and tibiae dorsoventrally flattened, elongate and slender; metatibiae with 3 lateral and 10 apical spines; first metatarsomere ventrally with dark pad of microsetae at internoapical angle and two rows of 5 spines. Metatibiotarsal formula: (3) 10/4/0.
MALE TERMINALIA (Figs 62–64). Pygofer (Py) rather short, about as high as long and oblique in lateral view (Fig. 62A), about 2.1 times as wide as high in caudal view (Fig. 62E); basal apodeme (bap) slightly elongate, well developed and sclerotized, sinuate in dorsal view (Fig. 62A–C); dorsal portion narrow (Fig. 62A–B); lateroventral lobe (lvl) projecting posterolaterally and rounded towards the anterior and posterior in dorsal view, more broadly so posteriorly (Fig. 62B); in ventral view, moderately narrowly rounded anteriorly and broadly roundly extending along posterior margin, and with inner margin more or less straight in the ventral portion and getting largely concave dorsad (Fig. 62C); in lateral view mostly obliquely broadly rounded posteriorly, with posterior margin nearly straight in middle portion, and smoothly sinuate dorsad, ventral portion, together with anteroventral angle,more or less regularly rounded (Fig. 62A); ventral portion separated from lateroventral lobe by a well-marked depression (Fig. 62C, E); ventral lamina (vlp) about 3.6 times as broad as long with anterior and posterior margins subparallel in ventral view, posterior margin very weakly bisinuate with posterolateral angles obliquely rounded and very weakly projecting posterad (Fig. 62C). Anal tube (An) nearly as long as broad, dorsoventrally flattened (Fig. 62A), oval with base and apex more strongly rounded than side margins; side margins nearly straight, oblique along posterior ^/5, tapering towards apex; apical margin not or weakly indented in middle (Fig. 62B); paraprocts (pa) at basal ¼, well developed. Gonostyli (G) 1.4 times as broad as long in ventral view (Fig. 62C); ventral process (vp) in ventral view subtriangular, with lateral margin slightly excavate, then rounded apically (Fig. 62C); laterodorsal process (ldg) rather widely visible in ventral view (Fig. 62C), sinuate in caudal view with mediolateral angle (mla) rather weakly marked (Fig. 62E), mediolateral angle slightly projecting laterally (Fig. 62A, D), posterior margin oblique along basal ⅔, then abruptly, roundly curved cephalad in lateral view, distal ⅓ of laterodorsal process tapering in lateral view (Fig. 62A); dorsal hook (dhg) narrow with anteapical emargination (Fig. 62A), apically curved laterad (Fig. 62B), then strongly ventrad with apex slightly projecting laterally in caudal view (Fig. 62E), sometimes a small tooth in distal portion. Connective (cv) strongly developed, about 1.5 times as long as aedeagus s. lat., with anterior pair of lateral apodemes forming a broad lateral lamina directed posterolaterad and rather broadly rounded apically; posterior pair of apodemes ribbon-like, well developed laterally and sinuate (Fig. 63A–D). Aedeagus s. lat. moderately upcurved with periandrium reaching more or less level of apex of aedeagus s. str. posteriorly (Fig. 63E–I). Aedeagus s. str. (Fig. 64A–C) with apical processes about 7.9 times as long as broad at mid-length; apicoventral process (avp) smoothly tapering towards the posterior and narrowly rounded apically, weakly incurved in ventral view; apicodorsal process (adp) in dorsal view (Fig. 64A) weakly sinuate, rather weakly inflated, elongate, rather smoothly tapering towards apex in an elongate blunt point, and surpassing apicoventral process. Dorsal periandrium (Fig. 64D–F) with laterodorsal processes (ldp) rather regularly tapering from base to acutely pointed apex, directed posterad and slightly laterad in dorsal view with basal ^/5 more or les flattened dorsoventrally, then abruptly upcurved with distal ± / 5 pointing dorsad in lateral view; lateroventral processes (lvp) dorsoventrally flattened on basal ¾, broadening from base to first ¼, then gently tapering, curved laterad and slightly dorsad along distal ¼ towards acutely pointed apex, projecting posterolaterally slightly beyond laterodorsal processes; basomedian processes (bmp) apically tapering, more or less obliquely blunt in dorsal view and with sides slightly converging towards apex in ventral view; median furcate process (mfp) with furca about as long as shaft (Fig. 63I) and moderately upcurved in lateral view (Fig. 64E), dorsal crest (cfp) on most of the length of arms of furca, vertical in dorsal view (Fig. 64D), crest rather abruptly broadening basally then smoothly, regularly tapering towards pointed apex and with dorsal margin slightly irregular in lateral view (Fig. 64E), inner and outer lateral walls of furca weakly granulose (Fig. 64D).
FEMALE TERMINALIA (Fig. 65). Abdominal sternite VI (As VI) with sides upcurving in posteroventral view (Fig. 65C); posterior margin in ventral view (Fig. 65B) projecting posteriorly on sides; median subquadrate emargination wide (Fig. 65B–C); subtriangular processes moderately developed, tapering, apically rounded and directed posterodorsad (Fig. 65B–D); emargination between subtriangular processes and lateral projection deeply rounded (Fig. 65B–C); processes of furca of sternite VI (FAs VI) pointed, diverging, well developed and curved posterodorsad (Fig. 65B–C). Inner portion of gonocoxa VIII (Gx VIII) strongly curved dorsad (Fig. 65C); posterior margin of gonapophysis (Gy VIII) projecting rather strongly posterad and apically rounded (Fig. 65A–B). Lateroventral excavate membranous fold of gonocoxae VIII between sternite VI and gonapophysis VIII in posteroventral view widely open (Fig. 65C). Inner portion of gonapophysis VIII, subtriangular processes and adjacent part of posterior margin of sternite VI, and processes of furca of sternite VI (FAs VI) densely covered in short strong setae (Fig. 65B–C). Gonoplacs (Gp) unilobed, large and semicircular, mostly hiding the anal tube (Fig. 65D). Gonocoxal bases IX (Gb IX) projecting laterally (Fig. 65B–C). Gonapophysis IX (Gy IX) flattened laterally, reflexed posterodorsad and strongly tapering apically (Fig. 65B, D). Anal tube (An) elongate and narrow, curved posteroventrad, v-shaped in cross section beyond anus, lanceolate in dorsal view (Fig. 65A, C–D).
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. Female nearly 10% larger than male.
The species is recorded from a large area extending from the eastern coast to the Great Dividing Range and, including the latter, from the northernmost portion of New South Wales to the south, to the level of Halifax Bay in Queensland to the north (Fig. 5B). Bioregions: Einasleigh Uplands, Wet Tropics, Desert Uplands, Brigalow Belt North, Brigalow Belt South and South Eastern Queensland.
The examined specimens were collected in all months, although in lower numbers during the months of May to August and October.
The habitat of the species is open Eucalyptus woodland (J. Constant & L. Semeraro pers. obs., Mar. 2020 and Apr.–May 2022; labels data).
The species seems polyphagous on several species of tree, but all recorded host trees belong to the family Myrtaceae: Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell. and Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (C. Foelz and A. McDougall pers. com., Apr. 2020 – Fig. 68), “smooth bark” Eucalyptus sp. (P. Chew pers. com., Jun. 2007 – Fig. 66A–C), Gossia bidwillii (Benth.) N.Snow & Guymer (J. Constant and L. Semeraro pers. obs., Mar. 2020 – Fig. 66D, F–G), Corymbia sp. (J. Constant and L. Semeraro pers. obs., Mar. 2020 – Fig. 66E, H), “ironbark” Eucalyptus sp. (probably E. culleni Cambage and/or E. crebra, J. Constant and L. Semeraro pers. obs., May. 2022 – Fig. 67B–E), and Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T.Blake.
The mating behaviour was observed and documented in March 2020 on trunks of E. crebra and E. tereticornis in Glendale (C. Foelz and A. McDougall pers. com., Apr. 2020 – Fig. 68): during the copulation, the male stays attached, upside down, to the female; the male holds on to the tegmina of the female with its anterior and median legs and the body of the male is largely hidden under that of the female; they seem able to quickly separate when disturbed.