Tryella infuscata, Moulds, 2003

Moulds, M. S., 2003, An Appraisal of the Cicadas of the Genus Abricta Stål and Allied Genera (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae), Records of the Australian Museum 55, pp. 245-304 : 287

Tryella infuscata n.sp.

Figs. 65a,b, 71, 72, 88

Types. QUEENSLAND — Holotype 3, K 179856, 120 km S of Normanton , 14.i.1986, M.S. & B.J. Moulds, in AM . Paratypes as follows: 333 (2 male genitalic preparations Nos AB 79, AB86), 7♀♀, same data as holotype; all in MSM .

Other material examined NORTHERN TERRITORY — 1 3, Alexandria [19°03'S 136°42'E], S Australia, G.N. Stalker, 1907- 261 (a paralectotype of T. stalkeri ); all in BMNH. This specimen is labelled as coming from “S. Australia ” because the Northern Territory was at that time administered by South Australia.

Etymology. From the Latin infuscatus and referring to the bold infuscations on the fore wings of this species.

Description

Male ( Figs. 65a, 71, 72). Head. Ferruginous with areas of black concentrated around ocelli, around eyes except on supra-antennal plates and below; postclypeus and anteclypeus ferruginous. Rostrum ferruginous becoming black to varying extent towards apex but usually with extreme apex brown; passing bases but not reaching apices of hind coxae. Antennae brown to nearly black. Usually bearing some silver pubescence, especially below. Thorax. Pronotum ochraceous with a broad middorsal fascia dark ferruginous, this fascia spreading laterally both at its anterior end against pronotal margin to about eyes, and at its posterior end against pronotal collar; pronotal collar dark ferruginous often tending black, especially at lateral angles. Mesonotum dark ferruginous, usually with a dorsal pair of ill-defined obconical markings based on anterior margin weakly outlined in yellowish brown; cruciform elevation yellowish brown. Thorax above usually lacking noticeable pubescence; below medium to light brown and always with distinct silver pubescence. Wings. Hyaline. Fore wings always with a zigzag infuscation following basal veins of apical cells 2–4 and usually along the length of vein R1b forming base of apical cell 1, and to a lesser degree at distal end of apical cell 1; venation brown, costa muddy pale yellow; basal cell barely tinted brown; basal membrane orange, sometimes tending yellowish. Hind wings with an infuscation at distal extremity of vein 2A against wing margin; plaga off white; anal lobe weakly tinted brown primarily on basal two thirds; venation light brown to pale yellow. Legs. Brown without obvious markings. Opercula. Yellowish brown; almost meeting and barely concealing tympanal cavities; usually covered by silver pubescence not always obvious to naked eye. Abdomen. Tergites dark ferruginous with mid brown posterior margin and ventral surface mid brown; tergite 2 usually dominantly mid brown laterally and tergite 8 usually entirely mid brown except for dorsal anterior half. Sternites brown. Abdomen above and below often with silver pubescence not always visible to naked eye. Tymbals. Usually 10–11 long tymbal ribs, otherwise as for generic description. Genitalia ( Figs. 71, 72). Pygofer dark ferruginous dorsally and on upper pygofer lobes, otherwise mid brown; upper pygofer lobe in lateral view very broad at base, gradually tapering to a blunt point, usually with a slight upward curve, in ventral view gently curving inwards; basal lobe in lateral view like a very long thin finger, gently curved, nearly equal in length to upper pygofer lobe, not fused with inner secondary lobe by broad webbing. Uncal lobes scoop-like and gently upturned at their distal ends; lateral process of uncus in lateral view small and rounded. Conjunctival claws simple, sharply pointed, directed ventrally. Palearis narrow; along much of length of theca and reaching distal end, gradually tapering to zero at proximal end.

Female ( Fig. 65b). Colour and markings similar to male. Abdominal segment 9 brown, sometimes with dorsal beak dark ferruginous. Ovipositor sheath nearly black with brown ventral surface; extending just beyond dorsal beak.

Measurements. n = 433, 7♀♀ (includes all available specimens). Length of body: male 17.3–19.3 (18.5); female 18.9–22.7 (20.3). Length of fore wing: male 21.7–24.5 (23.0); female 23.9–26.9 (25.2). Width of head: male 6.0– 6.6 (6.4); female 6.3–7.0 (6.6). Width of pronotum: male 6.3–6.9 (6.6); female 6.6–7.6 (7.1).

Distinguishing features. Distinguished from other species with extensive fore wing infuscations that reach to top of ulnar cell 3 (i.e. noctua , occidens and stalkeri ) by its dark mesonotum and pale pronotum which bears a broad dark midline. Occasional individuals of T. stalkeri possess similar colouring; these can be separated (apart from distribution) by the anal lobe which is suffused golden amber in stalkeri and brown in infuscata . Male genitalia clearly differ in the size of the uncal lateral process which, in lateral view, is large and tapering in stalkeri ( Fig. 67) but small and rounded in infuscata ( Fig. 71).

Distribution ( Fig. 88). Known only from inland districts below the Gulf of Carpentaria. There are just two known localities: 120 km south of Normanton in Queensland and Alexandria Station in Northern Territory.

Habitat. Adults most likely inhabit eucalypt trees. All known specimens have been taken at light.