Australian National Insect Collection Research Articles

Obituary-Donald Henry Colless 1922–2012

Donald Henry Colless (24 August 1922–16 February 2012) was a taxonomist at the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) from 1960 until his retirement in 1987. He continued working in ANIC as an Honorary Fellow until his death in 2012. Don’s main scientific interests were in the taxonomy and biology of true flies, and in the theory of phylogenetic reconstruction and classification. Don was trained in entomology at the University of Sydney, and spent nearly two de-cades of his early career in Asia studying mosquitoes and disease transmission, first in the Army during the Second World War in New Guinea and Borneo (1942–45), then after the war in North Borneo (1947–1952) and as a lecturer in the De-partment of Parasitology at the University of Malaya (1952–1960) in Singapore. We list the 127 scientific papers and book chapters that Don published during his scientific career that spanned 64 years. Six of these papers were published in the prestigious international journal Nature, and he was Chief Curator of the ANIC from 1971–1977. Don had extremely broad taxonomic interests, publishing on the taxonomy of 18 families of Diptera that spanned the phylogenetic breadth of the order. He described as new to science the fly families Perissommatidae and Axiniidae, thirteen new genera and over 120 species and, with David McAlpine, authored the Diptera chapters in both editions of The Insects of Australia (Mel-bourne University Press, 1970 and 1991). He published a number of influential critiques of cladistic theory in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and advocated a phenetic approach to the discovery of taxonomic groups, and phylogenetic reconstruction.

New species of <i>Anabarhynchus</i> Macquart (Diptera: Therevidae) from arid and monsoon tropical Australia

Anabarhynchus Macquart (1848) is a species-rich gen of therevine Therevidae, with over 90 species described from Aus-tralia alone. Over the past two decades, extensive and intensive malaise trap surveys have revealed that the continent con-tains many additional species to the previous 94 species known; making that genus one of the most species-rich therevid genera in the world. Specimens of these new species are deposited in Australian collections, notably the Australian Mu-seum (AM), Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC), and the Queensland Museum (QM). Here we describe, diag-nose and illustrate ten new species in the genus Anabarhynchus as follows: Anabarhynchus doncollessi sp. n., Anabarhynchus ewamin sp. n., Anabarhynchus lyneborgi sp. n., Anabarhynchus parilus sp. n., Anabarhynchus parkeri sp. n., Anabarhynchus pilbara sp. n., Anabarhynchus ravenshoensis sp. n., Anabarhynchus shiptonsflatensis sp. n., Ana-barhynchus tribulationensis sp. n., Anabarhynchus weipaensis sp. n. These new species add to the faunas known from arid and monsoon tropical Australia.

Bringing collections out of the dark.

Bringing collections out of the dark.

Whole-drawer imaging for digital management and curation of a large entomological collection

Whole-drawer imaging is shown to be an effective tool for rapid digitisation of large insect collections. On-line, Whole-drawer images facilitate more effective collection management, virtual curation, and public engagement. The Whole-drawer imaging experience at the Australian National Insect Collection is discussed, with an explanation of workflow and examples of benefits.

New synonyms in the Australian micro-caddisfly fauna (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae)

Discovery of new Trichoptera species in collections from mainland Australia is not unusual, and, currently a number of undescribed species are known in existing collections. However, few new species are likely to be found in Tasmania, the caddisfly fauna of which was collected intensively and formed the basis of a PhD study by Neboiss (1977). Subsequent to Neboiss' work, several new species of Hydroptilidae — micro-caddisflies — were described from Tasmania by Wells (1999), and others recorded from the island (Neboiss 1981; Wells 1979a,b,c, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1997). Later, Neboiss (2003) revised the fauna, describing 17 new species collected over the years since his thesis work, none of them hydroptilids. More recently, Oláh and Johanson (2010) described two new micro-caddisfly species based on holotypes from Tasmania, for one of which a paratype is listed from SE Queensland; they also described three other new species from Queensland. Unfortunately, in preparing their paper, it seems that these authors failed to seek access to the extensive hydroptilid material in the collection of Museum Victoria, or the smaller collection in the Australian National Insect Collection, or to types of any closely similar Australian species. Nor, it appears, did they look closely at their specimens since at least four of these new names are found, on examination of the holotypes on which they are based, to be junior synonyms of established species. This short note presents the bases for decisions to suppress in synonymy the following four names of Olah and Johanson (2010): Helleythira hiana, Oxyethira elora, Orthotrichia lapka, and O. capa.

First Record of the Cereal Cyst Nematode Heterodera filipjevi in China.

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is now recognized as a widespread and often damaging parasite of wheat in China. Only Heterodera avenae has been reported in China (4). However, molecular analysis of four samples from Beijing and one from Shanxi Province indicated genetic differences from H. avenae and other named species (3). Here we report the detection of H. filipjevi at a site in Henan Province that was not included in any previous study or report. The infested crop was rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Wenmai 19 in a field near Banpopu Village in Xuchang County (34.0447°N, 113.7415°E) with a long-established maize-wheat semiannual crop rotation. During the winter growing season, the crop was patchy with uneven growth and cyst nematode females were observed on the roots. In June 2009, soil was collected and mature cysts were extracted for morphological and molecular identification. Cysts were also kept at 4°C for 2 months and then incubated in shallow water at 15°C for a month to obtain second-stage juveniles (J2). Measurements (range; mean ± sd) of 10 cysts were body length including neck (569 to 786 μm; 699 ± 56), body width (403 to 600 μm; 523 ± 55), length:width ratio (1.3 to 1.5; 1.3 ± 0.1), neck length (61 to 125 μm; 106 ± 19) and width (49 to 83 μm; 69 ± 13), fenestra length (52 to 59 μm; 57 ± 2.9) and width (24.5 to 34.4; 27.9 ± 3.5), underbridge (64 to 101 μm; 85 ± 10), and vulval slit (7.4 to 10.0 μm; 9.6 ± 1.0). Lemon-shaped cysts were brown with a surface zigzag pattern. The vulval cone was bifenestrate with horseshoe-shaped semifenestra, with heavy underbridge and many bullae. The J2 (n = 22) measurements were body length (496 to 590 μm; 552 ± 24), body width (20.0 to 23.8; 21.5 ± 0.9), stylet (22.8 to 25.3; 24.0 ± 1.0) with anchor-shaped basal knobs, tail (47 to 64; 61.6 ± 4.4), and hyaline tail terminus (32 to 43; 40.2 ± 3.0). The J2 had up to four lateral lines, but the inner two were often the only lines clearly visible, and the shape of the stylet knobs, tail, and tail terminus were consistent with H. filipjevi. All morphological data and characters were consistent with H. filipjevi (1). Specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection. DNA from single cysts was extracted to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA by PCR with forward primer TW81 (5'-GTTTCCGTAGGTGAACCTGC-3') and reverse primer AB28 (5'-ATATGCTTAAGTTCAGCGGGT-3') (2). The PCR product was sequenced (Genbank Accession No. HM027892) and digested by restriction enzymes (AluI, CfoI, HaeI, HinfI, PstI, RsaI, TaqI, and Tru9I) to obtain restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles (2). Profiles for the Xuchang population consistently matched those published for H. filipjevi and were distinct from those of H. avenae and other species (3). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence further indicated conspecificity with H. filipjevi. These morphological and molecular data confirmed that the specimens from Xuchang were H. filipjevi, which represents the first detection of H. filipjevi in China, and extends the known distribution of the species from Europe, North America, South Asia, and West Asia to East Asia. This finding adds complexity to the management of CCN in China, especially for control by host resistance, which now must consider both species and pathotype diversity.

Book review:Evolution of Ecological and Behavioural Diversity: Australian Acacia Thrips as Model Organisms. Crespi, B.J., Morris, D.C. and Mound, L.A. (with botanical annexe by Maslin, B.R.). (2004). Aus-tralian Biological Resources Study and Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, Australia,vi +321 pp. 8 colour plates. Hardback. ISBN 0-9750206-1-7. AU$55.00.

Book review:Evolution of Ecological and Behavioural Diversity: Australian Acacia Thrips as Model Organisms. Crespi, B.J., Morris, D.C. and Mound, L.A. (with botanical annexe by Maslin, B.R.). (2004). Aus-tralian Biological Resources Study and Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, Australia,vi +321 pp. 8 colour plates. Hardback. ISBN 0-9750206-1-7. AU$55.00.

AUSTRALIAN WATER BUGS. THEIR BIOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION (HEMIPTERA‐HETEROPTERA, GERROMORPHA & NEPOMORPHA.

AUSTRALIAN WATER BUGS. THEIR BIOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION (HEMIPTERA‐HETEROPTERA, GERROMORPHA & NEPOMORPHA.

Ebbe Schmidt Nielsen's contribution to the Australian National Insect Collection

Ebbe Schmidt Nielsen's contribution to the Australian National Insect Collection

Establishment of the peanut bruchid (Caryedon serratus) in Australia and two new host species, Cassia brewsteri and C. tomentella

The distribution of Caryedon serratus, the peanut (groundnut) bruchid, on 2 Australian native plants, Cassia brewsteri and C. tomentella, was documented over 2 years. Caryedon serratus was observed across the central and northern parts of the range of C. brewsteri (latitudes 19.258–24.140˚S) and at least part of the range of C. tomentella (as far as 24.427˚S). Seed loss to C. serratus in these species assessed across all collection sites was 40 ± 8.0% (mean ± s.e.). Where the bruchid was detected at a given site, 72 ± 8.6% of pods on 71 ± 8.5% of trees were affected. Additional distribution points and other potential host species from previous C. serratus collections in the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) are reported. The combined data were used to predict a potential range for the bruchid across the dry tropics of Australia. No reports of migration to cultivated or stored peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Australia were located. Further investigation of the potential impact of this bruchid on the Australian peanut industry is recommended. A potentially beneficial aspect of C. serratus establishment may be the biological control of Acacia nilotica (prickly acacia) in Australia.

Male-male behavior and sexual dimorphism of the ear of a zaprochiline tettigoniid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

The external anatomy of the auditory system of an undescribed zaprochiline tettigoniid (Genus nov. 22 Sp. 1, Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra) shows sexual dimorphism: the male appears to have no auditory spiracle equivalent to that seen in the female. Nocturnally active males aggregate around female required nectar sources in a random manner with regard to each other. There is limited evidence, either from song interaction or from their behavior in the field, that males respond to each other by acoustic cues. Laboratory trials, testing male phonotaxis, showed that movement was random with respect to a target group of caged calling males. In the field, the only signs of agonistic behavior consisted of an increased calling rate when males were close together. Taken together, these data suggest that the male may not preceive sound in the same way as the female.

New Genera and Species of Tyrini FromAustralia (Coleoptera: Pselaphidae)

While preparing a paper on the pselaphid genera of Australia, three groups of the Tyrini, subtribe Tyrina, were discovered which could not be placed within the current generic concepts of the Australian fauna One of hese groups apears to be congeneric with Tyrogetus Broun from New Zealand. white the other two represent undescribed genera, With the recognition of these taxa, the major generic components of the Tyrini appear to be described for AustraliaAll measurements are in millimeters. Slides of cleared and disarticulated specimens were used to determine the patterns of foveation of the genera. Holotypes are placed in the Australian National Insect Collection Canberra, or in the National Museum of Victoria, Abbotsford.

The taxonomy, distribution and origins of two species of Phaulacridium (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the South Island of New Zealand

Extensive collecting of grasshoppers of the genus Phaulacridium in New Zealand has indicated the presence of a new species, P. otagoense Ritchie & Westerman, distributed parapatrically with respect to the common and widespread species, P. marginale (Walker) in the Mackenzie Plains and Central Otago regions of South Island. Phaulacridium otagoense occurs on exposed hillsides with bare patches caused by rabbit grazing while P. marginale is found in adjoining areas with lusher vegetation and less severe erosion. A key to the two species and a differential diagnosis are provided. Statistically significant differences in morphology and in nuclear DNA content and chiasma frequency confirm the separate species status of the two taxa. The present-day distribution and probable allopatric origin of P. otagoense from P. marginale is discussed in the light of past and present vegetational and climatic factors and their recent disruption by human agencies. The holotype and some paratypes of P. otagoense are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand and further paratypes are deposited in the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra and the British Museum (Natural History), London

BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY IN THE PARTHENOGENETIC GRASSHOPPER WARRAMABA VIRGO (KEY) AND ITS SEXUAL RELATIVES. II. THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TAXA.

The genus Warramaba is a complex of seven species of morabine grasshoppers (Eumastacidae, Morabine) occurring in southern Australia. This complex includes W. virgo (Key) (formerly Moraba virgo), a parthenogenetic species reproducing by obligate thelytoky, and six sexually reproducing taxa. All but one of the latter are taxonomically undescribed and carry the code designations of the Australian National Insect Collection, i.e., W. picta Key, P196, P169, P152, P125 and P188. The geographic distribution of this complex of species is highly disjunct. Only the parthenogenetic form occurs in eastern Australia but it is widely distributed. About 30 clones are known primarily occurring in the sandy areas of New South Wales and northern Victoria. In this region, virgo is associated with three different species of Acacia which is the primary food plant. Additional clones of virgo were recently discovered in Western Australia with an approximate 1000 mile break in the distribution between the clones in eastern and western Australia. No intermediate clones are known between Broken Hill, N. S.W., and Kalgoorlie, W. A. Further, the six sexually reproducing taxa are confined to Western Australia. In eastern Australia, the parthenogenetic species has been extensively studied cytogenetically (White et al., 1963; White, 1966; White and Webb, 1968; Webb and White, 1975), electrophoretically (Wilks, 1973) and morphometrically (Atchley, 197 7a). However, the western Australian populations of virgo and the sexual species have not been studied although preliminary cytogenetic analyses have been carried out on some of the species (White and Webb, 1966; White et al., 1973). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to extend a series of morphometric analyses on the parthenogenetic grasshopper Warramaba virgo (Key) to the parthenogenetic and sexually reproducing taxa occurring in Western Australia. In the analyses reported here, we are interested in 1 ) ascertaining the relative morphometric divergence and variability in the parthenogenetic species W. virgo and a closely related sexually reproducing species; 2) providing a mechanism to discriminate between virgo and the closely related species P196; and 3) elucidating the phenetic relationships among the various virgo group taxa.

NOTOLIBELLULA BICOLOR, A NEW LIBELLULINE DRAGONFLY FROM NORTHERN AUSTRALIA (ODONATA: LIBELLULIDAE)

Abstract A new genus and species of Libellulinae. Notolibrllula bic.olor, is described from the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Notolih~~llrda appears to be most closely related to Agrionopiera Brauer. Introduction In 1968, Watson encountered specimens of a vivid blue and red, broad-bodied libelluline dragonfly in the Kimberley region, in the north of Western Australia. Subsequent investigations have shown not only that the species is undescribed, but also that its characteristics do not fit any of the described genera of Libellulinae (sensu Fraser 1957). Further material has now been collected from the Northern Territory, and is described below. The terminology is that of Chao (1953). Unless otherwise indicated, all material is lodged in the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra. Notolibellula gen. n. Libelluline gen. “N” Watson, 1974, p. 148 With the characters of the subfamily Libellulinae (sensir Fraser 1957). Broad bodied, narrow winged. Arculus in line with Ax,. occasionally slightly proximal or distal, in both wings; hypertriangles free; triangle of fore wing short, crossed, of hind wing long, free; costal side of fore wing triangle shorter than half length

New ants of the Australian genus Orectognathus, with a key to the known species (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Seven species of Orectognathus (= Arnoldidris) are described as new (0. darlingtoni, 0. nanus and 0. parvispinus from north-east Queensland; 0. robustus from eastern Queensland; 0. elegantulus from south-east Queensland; 0. roomi and 0. velutinus from south-east New Guinea), along with notes on some older species, discussion of their likely relationships, and a key to workers of the 26 species now known. Workers of most species are illustrated, chiefly with scanning electron micrographs, and the holdings of the Australian National Insect Collection are briefly reviewed.

Morphometric Differentiation in the Viatica Group of Morabine Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Eumastacidae)

Atchley, W. R., and J. Cheney (Depts. of Biology and Statistics, Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, Texas, 79409, and Dept. of Genetics, Univ. of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia). 1974. Morphometric differentiation in the Viatica group of morabine grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Eumastacidae). Syst. Zool. 23:400-415.-Morphometric differentiation in 10 egg guide characters was examined in 13 chromosomal races and species within the Viatica group of morabine grasshoppers. Considerable divergence was found to have occurred among races within each provisional species and among the various provisional species. The extent of multivariate phenetic overlap among races within a species ranges from 28% between the 2n = 19 and 2n = 17 races of viatica to 13% among the three races of P24. The interracial relationships among the taxa as reflected by canonical variate analyses of the 13 taxa and of the 8 taxa (races pooled) generally gave close correspondence to the known genetic and geographic affinities among the taxa. Factor analysis of the pooled data followed by analysis of variance and a posteriori testing of the factor scores provided evidence of intertaxa differentiation in the shape of the egg guide. Again, a close correspondence between phenetic variation, genetic divergence and ecogeographic separation was noted. Finally, the extent of multivariate phenetic overlap was found to decrease as a function of phylogenetic distance with the phylogenetically most primitive races having the greatest overlap with the other taxa and the most derived forms being phenetically the most discrete. [Morphometric differentiation; multivariate statistics; speciation; morabine grasshoppers.] The Viatica group of morabine grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Eumastacidae) is a cluster of morphologically very uniform species and races occurring in southeastern Australia (Fig. 1). Since these insects are wingless, they exhibit very low vagility and tend to form local colonies between which migration occurs only rarely. The members of the Viatica group have been the subject of critical cytogenetic studies by White and co-workers (White, Carson, and Cheney, 1964; White, et al., 1967; White, et al., 1969; White, 1968 and 1970) who have shown these species to be of considerable importance in speciation theory. According to the interpretation of White, et al. (1967) and White (1968) genetic divergence among several of the included taxa has been achieved by a mechanism which they have referred to as stasipatric speciation. Most of the taxa in this species group, which cannot be assigned to any of the four described genera of Morabinae, are at present taxonomically undescribed. Therefore, most of the taxa are designated with P (for provisional species) and an alphanumerical code, these being the symbols used in the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra. The morphological uniformity among the provisional species of the Viatica group belies the fact that several have become differentiated into two or more races by combinations of translocations, pericentric inversions and other gross chromosomal rearrangements. In all, 13 distinct taxa are known in the Viatica group and are included in this report. In spite of the considerable evidence available on cytogenetic and ecogeographic separation in these forms, critical studies on morphometric divergence have until recently been lacking. Blackith and Blackith (1969) examined morphometric shape variation in the Viatica group species, but their study was not concerned with measuring

The primary types of the Australian Eumastacidae (Orthoptera : Eumastacoidea)

The type material of the nominal species-group taxa of Australian Eumastacidae was examined and lectotypes designated as required. Comprehensive information on the primary types is given, including the results of comparisons with published descriptions and figures, usually also with selected topotypic or near-topotypic specimens in the Australian National Insect Collection, and often with other types. Conclusions on synonymy are summarized in synonymic lists.

The primary types of the Australian Pyrgomorphidae (Orthoptera : Acridoidea)

The type material of the nominal species-group taxa of Australian Pyrgomorphidae was examined and lectotypes and one neotype designated as required. Comprehensive information on the primary types is given, including the results of comparisons with published descriptions and figures, usually also with selected topotypic or near-topotypic specimens in the Australian National Insect Collection, and often with other types. Provisional conclusions on synonymy are summarized in a synonymic list and a provisional classification of the 22 species accepted as valid.

DRAGONFLY TYPES FROM THE DOBSON COLLECTION, WITH THE DESIGNATION OF LECTOTYPES

i The primary type material of five species of Odonata, previously in the collection of Roderick Dobson, has been transferred to the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra. It comprises the holotypes of Archaeophya adamsi Fraser and Micromidia rodericki Fraser, and the type series of Gynacantha dobsoni Fraser, Argiolestes calcaris Fraser, and Argiolestes calcaris tenuis Fraser, from which lectotypes are designated. A neotype is selected for Agriolestes griseus subgriseus Fraser.