Candovia eungellensis, Forni & Cussigh & Brock & Jones & Nicolini & Martelossi & Luchetti & Mantovani, 2023

CANDOVIA EUNGELLENSIS View in CoL BROCK & JONES SP. NOV.

(SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIG. S7A, B)

[Eungella stick insect]

Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 27778BA0-C336-440F-82D1-C0978110A3F1.

Type material: Holotype: ♂, QUEENSLAND, Broken River, Eungella National Park , 21.1681˚S, 148.5044˚E, 19.xi.2009, P.D. Brock, DNA project PB-0018 ( QM) . Paratypes: QUEENSLAND: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, same data, DNA project PB-0019 to PB-0021 ( QM). (Note, this DNA project data was provisionally labelled Candovia sp. B ), 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ , QUEENSLAND, Eungella National Park , late xii.1992 (the ♀ labels state ‘laid eggs’ the ♂♂ state reared from eggs laid in laboratory xii.1992). Hatched 15.ii.1993 and 15.xii.1993 respectively ( ANIC) .

Overview of both sexes: Elongate green or brown female, possibly with darker marks and indistinctly banded legs. Male slenderer, brown with black marks laterally on pronotum, hind part of mesonotum, metanotum (more indistinct or absent in female), including specks on abdomen, apices of femora and tibiae. Whitish marks may also be present laterally. Head and pronotum with sometimes indistinct darker marks. Both sexes with black lines from eyes to back of head, orange mouthparts and eyes brown or orange with two horizontal black lines. Thorax granules and tubercles sometimes whitish. Dullorange bands may be present on hind part of all thoracic and abdominal segments, with small black central mark, but this seems occasional and mainly in some females.

Female (Supporting Information, Fig. S7A): Head: slightly longer than wide. Antennae long, with numerous indistinct segments; basal segment and shorter segment 2 broader than remaining segments. Thorax: with granules and tubercles, the latter more on mesonotum. Pronotum about same length as head, with central impression. Mesonotum up to 4.4 × length of pronotum. Mesonotum 2.4 × combined length of metanotum and median segment, the latter slightly longer than metanotum. Wingless. Abdomen: ridged, with granules. Eighth segment longer than ninth which is longer than tenth (anal) segment. Operculum tapered to tip, just exceeding end of segment 9; the anal segment has tapered sides towards tip. Cerci short. Legs: moderately long.

Male (Supporting Information, Fig. S7B): Slenderer, but similar in general appearance, except for distinctive body patterning. Anal segment rounded at tip; cerci short. Poculum about reaching end of ninth abdominal segment.

Egg (Supporting Information, Fig. S3F): Brown, dark with paler brown mottled sculpturing, broad almost oval capsule. Micropylar plate central, broad and pointed at tip, lighter shade of brown than capsule, surrounded by paler mottled area. Operculum dome-like and heavily sculptured.

Measurements (mm). Length of body: female 71–75, male 53–55. Head: female 4–5, male 2.5. Antennae: female 54–60, male 60. Pronotum: female 4–5, male 2.3. Mesonotum: female 17–18, male 10. Metanotum: female 3.3–4.0, male 3.5. Median segment: female 3.7, male 3.5–4.8. Femora, fore, mid, hind: female 22, 16, 20, male 18, 12, 17. Tibiae, fore, mid, hind: female 22, 14, 21, male 18, 11, 17. Cerci : female 1, male 0.8. Eggs: Capsule length 2.2, width 1.6, height 1.8.

Distribution ( Fig. 2): This species is so far only known from Eungella National Park.

Habitat and foodplants: The species is found in forest edge, feeding on Eucalyptus spp. and others.

Etymology: Named after the type locality, Eungella National Park, a superb area of subtropical rainforest, well known for its platypuses.