Acanthocasuarina tasmanica Taylor, sp. nov.

Acanthocasuarina tasmanica Taylor, sp. nov.

Figs 111–118, 130–132, 139; Tables 1–5, 8

Types. AUSTRALIA, Tasmania: Holotype: 1 3 (slide) Elephant Pass [41°38’S, 148°14’E], 27.ix.1978, R. Bashford, Casuarina (ANIC). Paratypes: from Casuarina: 2 3, 3 Ƥ (slide), 74 3, 83 Ƥ same data as holotype (ANIC); 9 3, 8 Ƥ (slide), 33, 3 Ƥ (dried) same data (TMAG, WINC).

Other material examined. None.

Description. Adult (Figs 111–118). Colour [possibly altered due to lengthy storage in ethanol]: Male: general colour ochraceous to dark brown. Vertex dark brown; genal processes ochraceous to dark brown; antennal segments 1–2 brown; segment 3 ochraceous, darker apically; segments 4–10 progressively dark brown to black; pronotum dark brown with paler longitudinal medial stripe and pale infuscation laterally; mesopraescutum and mesoscutum brown to dark brown; mesoscutellum ochraceous to brown; abdominal tergites brown to dark brown; proctiger, subgenital plate and parameres ochraceous to orange-brown; proximal segment of aedeagus dark brown to black, distal segment ochraceous to orange-brown; legs with dorsal dark brown markings; distal tarsal segments dark brown to black; wings clear. Female: as for male, except proctiger ochraceous to orange-brown; subgenital plate with medial brown infuscation.

Structure: measurements and ratios as in Tables 1–5. Body elongate. Antennae short, 1.32–1.64 times width of head; genal processes short, conical, apices separated, divergent; anterior margin of vertex rounded from dorsal aspect, delineated from genal processes by prominent ridge; vertex with indistinct medial suture; pronotum with prominent anterior, medial node; thorax weakly arched, head same width as pronotum and mesoscutum; fore wings elongate with broadly rounded apex; Rs short, terminating well short of wing apex; vein M1+2 terminating little short of wing apex; cell m1 short, broadly triangular, m1 cell value1.21–1.44; cell cu1 moderately long, triangular, cu1 cell value 0.76–0.94; radular areas thin, elongate in cells m1, m2 and cu1; male terminalia as in Figs 130–131; proctiger without lateral expansions; parameres short, broad, blade-like from lateral aspect, weakly curved inward towards apex. Female terminalia as in Fig. 132; proctiger short with dorso-posterior margin smoothly rounded from lateral aspect and a weakly sclerotised, upturned blunt apical process; subgenital plate broad, triangular from lateral aspect.

Nymph. Unknown.

Etymology. Named after Tasmania where the species was collected.

Distribution. Recorded from Elephant Pass, near Gray, in montane north-eastern Tasmania (Fig. 139).

Host plant. Recorded from an undetermined species of Allocasuarina (as Casuarina). Its probable host is A. littoralis (Salisb.) L.A.S.Johnson (black sheoak) based on distribution and habitat. Allocasuarina littoralis is a dioecious tree from 5–15 m which occurs in coastal scrub and adjoining ranges from Cape York, Queensland to Otway Ranges, Victoria, and the eastern portion of Tasmania (Wilson & Johnson 1989).

Comments. See Comments under Ac. acutivalvis for diagnoses.