Pterapotrechus Karny, 1937

Genus Pterapotrechus Karny, 1937 View in CoL

Pterapotrechus Karny, 1937: 73. View in CoL

Pterapotrechus View in CoL — Green and Ramsay 2003: 75–77. — Cadena-Castañeda 2019: 99.

Diagnosis. —

(After Karny 1937) The main feature differentiating Pterapotrechus from most other Australian genera of Gryllacrididae is the prominent angular ridge running from the insertion of the antennae to the base of the mandibles and delimiting the frons on the sides. While this feature is shared with the genus Apotrechus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888 , the latter genus is wingless. In Pterapotrechus , fore- and hindwings are well developed in adults of both sexes.

Habitat and ecology. —

Pterapotrechus are nocturnal, predatory rainforest insects.

Distribution. —

Native to coastal Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia, and extending into northern New South Wales. Introduced in North Island, New Zealand.

Etymology. —

From the Ancient Greek πτερόν (pterón), ‘ wing’, ( Karny 1937) and ὰποτρέχω (apotrechus), ‘ avoidant, running away’ ( Brunner von Wattenwyl 1888). A winged version of the wingless genus Apotrechus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888. Pterapotrechus is male gender.

Type species. —

Paragryllacris beta Griffini, 1909 .