Praecantrix silvatica subsp. lutea Hegg & Morgan-Richards & Trewick 2024

Praecantrix silvatica lutea gen., sp. et subsp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 31C70239-046B-4818-8497-BD3359457C25 Figs 1C–D, 3, 9, 10B, 12K, 13J, 16G–I, 19G–I, 23F Diagnosis Praecantrix silvatica lutea gen., sp. et subsp. nov. is very similar to the sister subspecies Praecantrix s. silvatica, from which it is only differentiated by the overall lighter coloration of the dorsum, and by the shorter, strongly recurved ovipositor. The two subspecies are allopatric. Etymology The Latin adjective ‘ lūtĕus ’ means ‘yellow’ or ‘orange’, after the predominant colour on the insect’s dorsum. Material examined (see also Supp. file 1: Table S11) Holotype NEW ZEALAND • ♂, adult; Southland (SL), McLean Falls, Catlins Forest; 46.57093° S, 169.34823° E; 60 m a.s.l.; 4 Aug. 2017; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; NMNZ AI.071902. Paratype NEW ZEALAND • 1 ♀, adult; Dunedin (DN), Ōpoho, Dunedin; 45.85440° S, 170.53380° E; 130 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2022; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk; night search + insect net; GenBank: PP155081; NMNZ AI.071903. Other material NEW ZEALAND – Stewart Island (SI) • 1 ♀; Rakeahua River estuary; 46.97496° S, 167.90398° E; 0 m a.s.l.; 10 Mar. 2021; J. Tweed leg.; underneath rotting log; photograph only; iNaturalist 73903375. – Fiordland (FD) • 1 ♂; Surprise Bay, Lake Manapouri; 45.55036° S, 167.56380° E; 180 m a.s.l.; 18 Nov. 2017; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; GenBank: PP155078; MPN CW3782 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; MPN CW4944 • 1 ♀; Dock Bay, Lake Te Anau; 45.43580° S, 167.67849° E; 240 m a.s.l.; Jan. 2014; T. Jewell leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; GenBank: PP155080; MPN CW2599. – Southland (SL) • 1 nymph; same data as for holotype; GenBank: PP155090; MPN CW3784 • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; MPN CW3901 • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; MPN CW4946 • 1 ♀; McLennan Range, Catlins Forest; 46.48570° S, 169.16642° E; 400 m a.s.l.; 1 Dec. 2018; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; MPN CW4951. – Dunedin (DN) • 1 ♀; Sullivans Dam, Dunedin; 45.80771° S, 170.52375° E; 300 m a.s.l.; 15 Aug. 2019; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; MPN CW4451 • 1 ♀; Staircase Hut track, Waianakarua; 45.28210° S, 170.69724° E; 420 m a.s.l.; 3 Sep. 2016; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; GenBank: PP155079; MPN CW3158 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MPN CW3160. – South Canterbury (SC) • 1 ♂; Otaio Gorge; 44.52335° S, 170.92860° E; 230 m a.s.l.; 18 Mar. 2018; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; MPN CW4931 • 1 ♂; Claremont Bush Reserve; 44.41214° S, 171.08438° E; 150 m a.s.l.; 21 Sep. 2018; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; MPN CW4950 • 1 ♂; Peel Forest; 43.89657° S, 171.23457° E; 460 m a.s.l.; 3 Oct. 2020; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; night search + insect net; MPN CW4968 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MPN CW4969. – Kaikōura (KA) • 1 ♀; Hinau Walk, Kaikōura; 42.35082° S, 173.56802° E; 200 m a.s.l.; 22 Oct. 2016; D. Hegg leg.; on tree trunk in native forest; photograph only; iNaturalist 4438856. – Wellington (WN) • 1 ♀; Butterfly Creek, Eastbourne; 41.298° S, 174.905° E; 100 m a.s.l.; Apr. 2006; M. Morgan-Richards and S. Trewick leg.; MPN CW366. Description MEASUREMENTS. See Table 1. Sexual dimorphism in body length, with females being slightly larger than males. HEAD. Same as in P. s. silvatica. THORAX. Pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum glabrous and shiny, dark on the sides, red-orange in the middle (Fig. 12K). Crisp line delimitating the dark upper parts from the white sternites. LEGS. Same as in P. s. silvatica, but with the number of dorsal linear spines on the hind tibiae varying between 11 and 16 on each side. ABDOMEN. All tergites glabrous and shiny, dark on the sides, red-orange in the middle (Fig. 12K). Sternites pale. MALE TERMINALIA. Same as in P. s. silvatica (see Fig. 16 G-I). FEMALE TERMINALIA. Subgenital plate square, with two rounded lobes on the distal corners, covered with sparse hair at the apex (Fig. 19G). Ovipositor approximately 50% of body length; strongly recurved upwards from the base to the apex; lower valve with 6 to 7 teeth below at the apex; dorsal surface of upper valve heavily serrated with strong teeth in distal third (Fig. 19H–I). Distribution and habitat Exclusively a forest insect, common and widespread in the southern and eastern regions of New Zealand’s South Island, mainly near the coast; also found on Stewart Island / Rakiura and in the Wellington Region in North Island (Fig. 10B).