Orxines xiphias (Westwood, 1859)

Orxines xiphias (Westwood, 1859) View in CoL

( Fig. 13, 14, 16 C-F)

Anophelepis xiphias Westwood, 1859: 71 , pl. 4: 4, 4a-b (♂) & 5,

5a-c (♀). LT (by present designation), ♀: Syntype; Ceram, 55-8; - Anophelepis xiphias pl. 4f, 4-5; Anophelepis xiphias West.; BMNH #844809 [ NHMUK]; PLT, ♀: Amboyna, Mad. - Pfeiffer; Xiphias W. [ OUMNH]; PLT, ♂: Amboyna, Mad. Pfeiffer; Xiphias W., pl. 4 fig 4 ♂ [ OUMNH]. - Kaup, 1871: 19, pl. 1: 10. [Description of egg]

Orxines xiphias, Stål, 1875: 87 View in CoL .

- Kirby, 1904: 368.

- Rehn, 1904: 71.

- Otte & Brock, 2005: 241.

- Brock, Marshall, Beccaloni & Harman, 2016: 203.

Lamachus xiphias, Redtenbacher, 1908: 483 , pl. 25: 4a (♂), 4b (♀).

- Günther, 1934: 79.

Acacus buruensis Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 252. LT (by present designation), ♂: Batjan; ex. Heyne coll.; 64. buruensis ; Acacus buruensis Brunner et Redtenb. det. [ZMAS]; ♂ (♂): Buru [NHMW – not traced]. [Synonymised by Günther, 1934: 79]

- Brock, 2007: 49. [Type data]

A. ♀ PT dorsolateral view [FH, No. 1087-4]. B. ♀ PT dorsolateral view [FH, No. 1087-7]. C. ♂ PT dorsolateral view [FH, No. 1087-14]. D. ♀ PTterminalia in lateralaspect[ FH]. E . ♀ PT terminalia in dorsal aspect [ FH]. F . ♀ PT terminalia in ventral aspect [ FH]. G . ♂ PT terminalia in lateral aspect [ FH]. H . ♂ PT terminalia in dorsal aspect [ FH]. I . ♂ PT terminalia in ventral aspect [ FH]. J . ♂ PT head and prothorax in lateral aspect [ FH]. K . ♂ PT head and prothorax in dorsal aspect [ FH]. L . ♀ PT head and prothorax in lateral aspect [ FH]. M . ♀ PT head and prothorax in lateral aspect [ FH]. N -P . ♀ PT apex of mesofemur and basal portion of mesotibia showing variability of the tibial lobes [ FH] .

A. Type- locality near Daeo Majiko village,Morotai[©AlimYasin]. B. Live ♀ on Macaranga sp. ( Euphorbiaceae ) at the type-locality [©Alim Yasin].

A. Dorsolateral view [© AMNH]. B. Dorsal view of head and thorax [© AMNH]. C. Lateral view of head and thorax [© AMNH].

Material examined

- 7 ♀, 22 ♂: Indonesia, Morotai Island, North Maluku Regency, Daeo Majiko village , XI.-XII.2012 [coll. FH, No's 0644–15 to 43] ;

- 10 ♀, 5 ♂, eggs: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann 2020, F2-Gen., Herkunft: Morotai Id., Daeo village [coll. FH, No. 0644–44 to 58, E2];

- 2 ♂: Indonesia, Morotai Island, North Maluku Regency, Daeo Majiko village , XI.-XII.2018 [ IMQC] ;

- 1 ♂: Morotai , Moluccas, march, 1945, Gilbert Banner [ AMNH] .

Differentiation. – Both sexes of this species are comparatively larger than the two very similar Philippine species O. granulosus (Redtenbacher, 1908) and O. semperi (Stål, 1877) and generally have the thoracic segments less distinctly granulose. Males may readily be separated from both species by the much smaller and just rudimentary alae ( Fig. 13D), which are represented as distinct subcircular white scales in granulosus and semperi . Females can be differentiated by these two Philippine species by the distinct black postocular streak along the genae ( Fig. 13G) and plain coloured alae that lack a whitish or light cream band along the outer margin of the costal region ( Fig. 13C). The eggs ( Fig. 16 CF) clearly differ from those of O. semperi (those of O. granulosus are not known) by the much longer and lanceolate anteriorly tapering and pointed micropylar plate, which is rather ovoid or pear-shaped and notably less than one-quarter the length of the egg capsule in semperi .

Comments. – The ♀ from Seram in the collection of NHMUK is selected as the lectotype of A. xiphias for providing stability of the taxon. Günther (1934: 79) correctly synonymised Acacus buruensis with Westwood’s xiphias . Since the specimen(s) recorded by Brunner v. Wattenwyl (1907) from Buru are not traced in the collection of NHMW ( Brock, 2007: 49), the ♂ from Bacan (‚Batjan‘) in the collection of ZMAS is here selected as the lectotype in order to guarantee stability of the synonymy. Only selected references are listed above and the complete references may be looked up online at http:// Phasmida .SpeciesFile.org. The examined material listed above only contains specimens from the island of Morotai.The rich material from other islands available is only briefly summarized in the distribution section below.

The examples at hand from Morotai are within the upper size range of this species (see measurements below). While there is almost no considerable morphological variability, ♀ in particular show a range of chromatic variation some of which is shown in figure 14. In colour they range from mid and dark green over olive and various shades of straw and oche to dark brown. Occasionally lighter specimens show sometimes somewhat lichenose mottling with darker tones. Most commonly encountered are plain light to mid brown specimens. The small scale-like alae range in colour from ochraceous light brown to almost black. A description of the egg based on examples from Morotai is presented below. Redtenbacher (1908: 483) cited body lengths of 74.0-90.0 mm for ♂ and 115.0-150.0 mm for ♀. The Morotai series at hand shows the following range of body lengths: ♂ 78.0-94.0 mm, ♀ 125.0-145.0 mm.

In captivity in Europe this species has proven easy to rear. Stock from Morotai was introduced by M. Ortiz ( France) in 2020 and previously stock from the Sangihe islands has been introduced by A. & C. Bauduin in 2007. The latter stock however was lost several years ago. The Morotaistock however is sturdy and reproducesin large numbers even becoming pest-like if no population control is conducted by limiting the number of eggs. Hatching rates are close to 100% andthe mortality of nymphs is close to zero in humid conditions and average temperatures of 22-26°C.Both nymphs and adults like a daily spray of water and for breeding a fairly large cage with a height of at least 60 cm has proven suitable to give the large ♀ plenty of space to successfully conduct their final ecdysis. By using their appendicular ovipositor ♀ deposit their eggs in various substrates including soil, sand or mosses and dried loofah sponges have proven a well-accepted, suitable and easy to remove substrate for egg depository. At the average temperatures mentioned above the incubation of eggs takes about 12-16 weeks and nymphs reach maturity in about 5-6 months. In captivity O. xiphias is polyphagous and accepts a variety of alternative food plants including bramble ( Rubus spp. , Rosaceae ), raspberry ( Rubus idaeus , Rosaceae ), will roses ( Rosa spp. , Rosaceae ), hawthorn ( Crategus monogyna & C. avellana , Rosaceae ), hazel ( Corylus avellana , Betulaceae ), oak ( Quercus robur , Q. petraea & Q. rubra , Fagaceae ), beech ( Fagus sylvatica , Fagaceae ) and salal ( Gaultheria shallon , Ericaceae ) In captivity in Morotai O. xiphias is known to accept at least guava ( Psidium guayava , Myrtaceae ), while specimens in the wild were mostly found on Macaranga sp. (Anarcadiaceae) (pers. comm.Alim Yasin).

Egg ( Fig. 16 C-F): Elongate, bullet-shaped with the posterior portion of capsule tapering towards a narrow and rather pointed pole; round in cross-section and almost 3x longer than wide or high. Entire capsule surface minutely granulose and covered by an irregular net-work of raised ridges. Anterior margin with a row of fimbriate appendages. Micropylar plate elongate, somewhat more than one-third the length of capsule, spear-shaped and gradually tapering towards a pointed anterior end; outer margin strongly bulgy and surface with a medio-longitudinal ridge, which starts directly above the micropylar cup and terminates just before the anterior tip of plate; almost 3x longer than width at posterior end. Micropylar cup, small, cup-shaped and placed in medio-posterior gap of plate. Median line a prominent longitudinal bulge that reaches to the polar end of plate and terminates in an obtuse swelling. Operculum inserted into capsule at about a 10° angle, flat and with irregular radially directed ridges which meet in the centre and form an irregularly knob-like swelling. Colouration orangey or reddish mid to dark brown, more rarely dark grey. Measurements [mm]: Length 6.0-6.3, width 2.0-2.1, height 2.0-2.1, length of micropylar plate 2.0-2.2.

Distribution. – Seram [NHMUK, NHMW]. Ambon [OUMNH, NHMW]. Halmahera [NHMW]. Bacan Island [ZMAS]; Tidor Island [NHMW]. Makian Island [coll. FH]. Buru, Mount Remaja, 200-350 m [coll. FH]. Ambelau Island [coll. FH]. North Sulawesi Prov., Sangihe Islands [coll. FH]. North Sulawesi Prov., Talaud Islands: Karakelong Island, Lobo [ Günther, 1934: 79]; Salibabu Island, Liroeng [ Günther, 1934: 79]. Raja Ampar Archipelago: Waigeo Island [coll. FH]; Misool Island [coll. FH]. New Guinea [NHMW]. New Guinea, Papua Barat Prov.: Fak- Fak [coll. FH]; Sorong [coll. FH]. Sumatra in error [Redtenbacher, 1908: 483].