Balta rothi Rentz and Su, 2025

Balta rothi Rentz and Su , sp. nov.

Balta sp. 4

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturenoises/16217748101/in/album-72157639340999195

Figs 9A–G View FIG : Table 1, Map 1

Type material. Holotype male. 1. “16.48’ S 145.38 ’E ( GPS) Qld. Kuranda ( 335m) (Top of the Range) 19 Butler Dr 1-15 October 2004. DCF Rentz” 2. “Specimen photographed: subgenital plate.” 3, “ ANIC database #9-006320” . Holotype deposited in Australian National Insect Collection ( ANIC), Canberra . Paratypes. 72 males from the type locality collected on the following dates and all in ANIC: 1-31.x, 1-30.xi, 1-31.xii, 1-31.i, 16-28.ii; 1–15.i.2024 3 males; 1-15.2025 2 males; 1-15.ii.2025 2 males; 16-28.ii.2025 4 males. A single female was collected on 5.xi.2024. Additional paratypes from the type locality and other localities: 16.48’ S 145.38 ’E ( GPS) Kuranda 335m ( Top of the Range) 19 Butler Dr from the following dates: 15–31.x.2003 , 2 males; 15–30.xii.2003 7 males; 15–31.i.2004, 2 males; 1–15.ii.2004 1 male; 15–29.ii.2004 2 males; 15–30.iv.2004 1 male; 20–30.xi.2004 1 males; 15–28.ii.2005 1 males; 1–15.iii.2005 1 males; 16–31.xii.2005 1 males; 16–31.xii.2006 1 males; 1–15.i.2007 1 males; 1–15.iii.2007 1 males; 16–30.iv.2007 1 males; 1–15.v.2007 1 males; 16–31.xii.2007 1 males; 1–15.i.2010 1 males; 16–31.viii.2010 1 males; 1–15.iv.2010 1 males; 1–15.x.2010 1 males; 16–31.i.2011 1 males; 1–15.x.2013 2 males; 16–30.i.2016 1 males; 1–15.v.2016 1 males; 1–15.xi.2016 2 males; 16–30.xi.2016 1 male; 1–15.x.2017 1 male; 1–15.xi.2017 1 male; 16–30.xi.2017 1 male; 1–15.xii.2017 4 males; 16–30.i.2018 1 male; 1–15.ii.2018 2 males; 16–30.xi.2018 1 male; 16–31.xii.2018 2 males; 16–31.iii.2019 1 male; 16–30.xi.2019 2 males; 16–31.xii.2019 2 males 1 female; 16–31.i.2020 1 male; 1–15.ii.2020 4 males; 15–29.ii.2020 1 male; 16–31.iii.2020 3 males; 1–15.iv.2020 1 female; 16–30.iv.2020 1 males 2 female; 16–31.v.2020 1 male; 1–15.xi.2020 2 males; 1–15.xii.2020 2 males; 1–15.i.2021 2 males; 16–31.x.2021 3 males; 1–15.xi.2021 2 males; 16–30.xi.2021 1 male; 1–15.xii.2021 2 males; 16–31.xii.2021 1 male; 1–15.ii.2022 2 males; 1–15.x.2022 2 males; 16–30.xi.2023 1 male; 1–15.xii.2023 1 male; 20–31.xii.2023 1 male; 16-30.iv.2025 ( 2 males). 16 o 47’S 145 o 35’E. ( GPS) 25 Gadagi Dr , Russet Pk ( Kuranda), 373 m 23.v.2011 GoogleMaps DCF Rentz & B. Richardson, Stop 22, 1 male); 21.xi.2011 DCF Rentz & B. Richardson, Stop 37, 1 male). 16006 ’08.53”S 145027 ’04.68” E James Cook University, Daintree Rainforest Observatory , 6–8.ii.2019 6-8.ii.2019 (DCF Rentz, stop 5, 2 males) ; 16-30.xii.2004 ( 1 male) ; 1-15.x.2021 ( 1 male); 16-31.x.2022 ( 3 males); 1-15.xii.2021 ( 1 male); 1-15.xi.2022 ( 1 male); 16-30.xi.2022 ( 1male) 1-15.xi.2024 ( 4 males); 16-30.xi.2022 ( 10 males); 1-15.xii.2022 ( 7 males); 1-15.xii.2024 ( 10 males); 1-15.xii.2024 ( 2 males). 17 o 23’236”’S 145 o 59’596”E ( Car ) Bramston Beach Rd on Tower Rd (under powerlines) 93 m 18.ii.2017 (DCF Rentz & SK Brannoch, Stop 9, 11 males) . 17 o 18’S 145 o 57’E Babinda , Krukow Rd, 25 m, 12.ii.2012, (DCF Rentz, GW Wilson, stop 12–8, 1 male) GoogleMaps . 16 o 35’S 145 o 35’E ( GPS) Clohesy River Rd. , 4.8 km from Jct Kennedy Hwy, 411m, 2.iii. 2012 GoogleMaps DCF Rentz & B. Richardson, Stop 12–13, 1 male). 16 o 57’S 145 o 40’S Crystal Cascades ( Redlynch intake Rd, nr Cairns), 80 m, 11.xi.2012 DCF Rentz, Stop 12–36, 1 male). 16.202’ S 145.409 ’E ( GST) Daintree area , Lync –Haven Motel, 35 m 7–8.xii.2012 DCF Rentz, Stop 12–39, 3 males) 16 o 36’422"S 145 o 26’134” E Black Mtn Rd (nr Bump track), Julatten end, 16.iii.2013 , DCF Rentz & Y Baba, stop 13–9, 1 male).

Description. Male/female. Head with frons usually plain straw brown but often with a few indistinct blotches ( Fig. 9A View FIG ); antennae with scape and pedicel usually dark, flagellum black and relatively densely hirsute. Legs creamish white to light straw brown, apex of each femur with an elongate spine; spines colourless but dark brown at base; apex of each tibia dark brown ( Fig. 9B View FIG ). Pronotum with distinctive pattern ( Fig. 9A View FIG ), lateral margins clear, translucent. Tegmina dark, veins light; dorsal surface of each tegmen with at least one elongate creamish white marking, each opposite one another ( Fig. 9A View FIG ); thorax with an elongate white mark between the base of each tegmen ( Fig. 9A View FIG ) (this is common with many unrelated cockroaches). Ventral surface of abdomen light brown, each sternite with a small dark brown spot laterally ( Fig. 9B View FIG ). Subgenital plate concolorous with abdomen except styles darker ( Fig. 9C View FIG ); cerci uniformly light brown, each segment with at least one elongate dark brown spine ( Fig. 9C View FIG ); concealed genitalia ( Figs 9D, E View FIG ). Female more robust, slightly shorter than male, tenth tergite produced and deeply cleft ( Fig. 9F View FIG ).

Etymology. Named in honour of the late Dr Louis M. Roth to celebrate his life’s work in attempting to understand the complexity of the Blattodea .

Remarks. This is a common species where it occurs. Males are often attracted to lights, females less so. Perhaps females are either incapable of flight or reluctant to do so. We have not found any ootheca that can be associated with this species. From time to time, males have been found parasitised by Gordian worms (Nematomorpha).

B. rothi has not been found in leaf litter as is the common habitat of many Balta species. Its coloration suggests that it lives on tree trunks and probably secludes itself in bark cracks during the day as does the Australian Allacta , Allacta australiensis Roth , a species that occupies a similar geographic range and is similar in appearance to B. rothi (Compare Figs 11A, B View FIG ).