Tryella ochra, 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 : 294-295

Tryella ochra n.sp.

Figs. 27, 55a,b, 69, 70, 103

Types. Holotype 3, K179894, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, N Queensland, 2.i.1990, M.S. & B.J. Moulds, in AM . Paratypes as follows: QUEENSLAND —2 33, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in AE. 233, K179895 and K179896, 1♀, K179897, same data as holotype; all in AM . 13, 1♀, same data as holotype; 13, Silver Plains Homestead, Cape York Pens. 28.xi.1961, J.L. Wassell; all in ANIC . 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in ASCU . 233, 1♀, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, N Queensland, 2.i.1990, MBM ; all in BMNH. 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in JM . 233, 1♀, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, N Queensland, 2.i.1990, MBM ; all in JO. 233, 1♀, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, N Queensland, 2.i.1990, MBM ; all in LP. 233, 1♀, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, N Queensland, 2.i.1990, MBM ; all in MNHP. 13, 1♀, nr Thorntonia Hsd , 120 km ENE of Camooweal, 21.xii.1986, MBM ; 1♀, Beames Brook, Burketown / Gregory rd jnct. 20.xii.1991, MBM ; 13, Fitzmaurice Ck , N of Normanton, 3.i.1990, MBM ; 13433 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB7), 58♀♀, Walkers Ck , 35 km NNE of Normanton, 16,18. xii.1986, 2,3. i.1990, 15.i.1992, MBM ; 2 male, 2♀♀, Normanton , 15,17. i.1986, MBM ; 6♀♀, Walkers Bend, Flinders R ., 60 km SSW of Normanton , 14.i.1986, MBM ; 233, 120 km S of Normanton , 14.i.1986, MBM ; 13, 4♀♀, 28 km E of Croydon , 16.i.1986, MBM ; 233, 6♀♀, 50 km SE of Normanton , 15.i.1986, MBM ; 13, 17♀♀, East Haydon , 60 km SE of Normanton, 15.i.1986, MBM ; 333, 80 km ESE of Normanton , 16.i.1992, MBM ; 3633 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB5), 9♀♀, Morehead R . x-ing, 35 km S of Musgrave Hsd, Cape York Pen. , 10.i.1988, 9.i.1990, MBM ; 13, 16 km SE of Hann R . x-ing, NW of Laura , 12.i.1990, MBM ; 633 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB57), Laura, 25.xii.1978, AMW-H; 333, 1♀, Little Laura R . via Laura , 24.xii.1978, R . I. Storey; 633 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB56), 1♀, 35 km SE of Laura , 23.xii.1983, MBM ; 233, Hells Gate Ck , S of Laura, 6.i.1981, GAD ; 1333 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB6), 7♀♀, Mt Cook nr Cooktown , 31.xii.1983, MBM ; 13, Archer Point near Cooktown , 7.i.1973, MBM ; 13, Black Mountain , S of Cooktown, 6.i.1981, MBM ; 1♀, 23 km N of Palmer River , 14.i.1982, GAD ; 13 (genitalic preparation no. AB49), 2♀♀, McLeod River x-ing NW of Mt Carbine, 7.i.1980, A. Hiller; 233 (1 male genitalic preparation no. AB8), 1♀, McLeod River x-ing NW of Mt Carbine , 11.i.1988, MBM ; 13, Station Creek , 15 km N of Mt. Molloy, 22.i.1981, MBM ; 13, Station Ck , 10 km S of Mt Carbine, 28.i.1976, AMW-H; all in MSM . 333, 2♀♀, Silver Plains, Coen, 11,24.i.59, L. W[assell], Collection A.N. Burns; 233, 2♀♀, homestead, Silver Plains , east coast Cape York Pen. , 3,7. xii.1959, at light, J.L. Wassell, Collection A.N. Burns; 13, Clean Skin xing, Massy Creek , Silver Plains , east coast Cape York Pen., 8.i.60, J.L. Wassell, Collection A.N. Burns; all in MV . 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in QM . 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; 233, Stewart R ., i.-ii.1927, Hale & Tindale; 13, 2♀♀, Flinders I., i.1927, Hale & Tindale; all in SAM . 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in UQIC . 233, 1♀, same data as holotype; all in WAM .

Other material examined. QUEENSLAND —2 33 (teneral), homestead, Silver Plains , east coast Cape York Pen., 5.xii.1959, at light, J.L. Wassell, Collection A.N. Burns, in MV. 13, 7 km SE Mt Carbine , Mary R. camp, xii.1989, ANZSES Expedn, in QM. 13, Stewart R., i.-ii.1927, Hale & Tindale; 13, Flinders I., i.1927, Hale & Tindale, both in SAM .

Etymology. From the Greek ochra (feminine) meaning earthy oxide of iron and referring to the ochraceous colour on the pronotum of this species.

Description

Male ( Figs. 27, 55a, 69, 70). Head. Either ferruginous with black behind eyes and partly below, or black with ferruginous postclypeus and anteclypeus. Rostrum brown becoming black towards apex; reaching hind coxae but not extending beyond their apices. Ocelli light amber to light ruby red. Eyes of live specimens (Gulf region) dark brown to black. Antennae brown or blackish on those individuals with brown heads, black on those with black heads. Underside of head (excluding postclypeus) with silverish pubescence, remainder with almost no pubescence. Thorax. Pronotum ochraceous, sometimes with dorsal midline darkened and ferruginous or tending so, this fascia spreading laterally both at its anterior and posterior ends, especially the latter; pronotal collar ferruginous or sometimes tending blackish on those individuals with dominantly brown heads, otherwise black (except for a small middorsal area and lateral margins) on those with black heads. Mesonotum ferruginous, sometimes with the dorsal region tending ochraceous which highlights a pair of subconical ferruginous fascia basal on anterior margin of pronotum; cruciform elevation of similar colour to adjoining dorsal area; a little golden-silver pubescence on some specimens principally along margins of wing grooves. Thorax below light brown with silverish pubescence. Wings. Hyaline. Fore wings usually without infuscations but some individuals with a narrow infuscation at base of apical cell 2, sometimes also at base of 3, and sometimes at distal end of apical cell 1; veins mostly blackish, costa ochraceous; basal cell translucent amber; basal membrane usually orange, sometimes discoloured brownish yellow; costa and veins on basal third or so usually bearing some silverish pubescence not always obvious to naked eye. Hind wings usually with a small black infuscation at distal extremity of vein 2A; whitish plaga on vein 2A extending full length, that on 3A not quite reaching to wing margin; much of anal lobe lightly suffused golden amber, especially on basal half; venation pale brown often becoming dark towards apex. Legs. Light ferruginous; without markings. Opercula. Light brown with a weak black suffusion; lateral margin usually edged black; for the most part sparsely covered by a silverish pubescence; clearly separated exposing apex of sternite I and barely concealing tympanal cavities. Abdomen. Tergites ferruginous; tending dark to nearly black towards anterior margin, and on some individuals narrowly edged pale cream along posterior margin of segment 3 and extending sometimes as far as 6. Sternites ferruginous; sternite II sometimes very dark and posterior margin of segments III–VI sometimes narrowly edged pale cream.

Usually bearing some fine silverish pubescence both dorsally and ventrally. Tymbals ( Fig. 27). Usually 11 long tymbal ribs, otherwise as for generic description. Genitalia ( Figs. 69, 70). Pygofer ferruginous; upper pygofer lobes in lateral view very broad at base, tapering gradually to a sharp upturned pointed apex, in ventral view angled inwards from near base; basal lobes without webbing fusing inner and outer lobes, outer lobe in lateral view like a very long thin finger, gently curved, almost as long as upper pygofer lobe. Uncal lobes scoop-like and gently upturned at their distal ends. Lateral processes of uncus in lateral view small and rounded. Conjunctival claws simple, sharply pointed, directed ventrally. Flabellum absent. Palearis on distal quarter of theca but not quite reaching the distal end, small and gradually tapering to zero at proximal end.

Female ( Fig. 55b). Colour and markings similar to those of male. Abdominal segment 9 ferruginous, sometimes with diffused areas of black. Ovipositor sheath brown to black.

Measurements. n = 1033, 10♀♀ (includes smallest and largest of available specimens). Length of body: male 15.2– 18.5 (17.1); female 16.0–20.0 (18.2). Length of fore wing: male 21.1–25.4 (23.7); female 22.2–26.2 (24.3). Width of head: male 6.1–6.9 (6.4); female 6.1–7.1 (6.6). Width of pronotum: male 6.1–7.1 (6.6); female 6.1–7.4 (6.7).

Adult variability. Specimens from CapeYork Peninsula south to the Palmer River all possess heads that are entirely black (except for the clypeus) and a predominantly black or nearly black pronotal collar; elsewhere specimens have ferruginous heads with black only behind the eyes and partly so below and a ferruginous or sometimes blackish pronotal collar.

Distinguishing features. This species is most similar to T. castanea , T. burnsi and T. kauma . In most cases individuals can be separated from those of the latter three species by having a light ochraceous pronotum, lack of or very reduced fore wing infuscations and a golden amber suffusion to the hind wing anal lobe. However, atypical specimens of burnsi , and castanea in particular, that closely resemble ochra are not uncommon and one should consult the Key to species or male genital structures for confirmation of identity. Care should also be taken not to confuse females of ochra with those of T. lachlani . The latter have a black cruciform elevation (unless teneral) and/or a dominantly ochraceous abdomen above; female ochra are never so coloured.

Distribution ( Fig. 103). Northern Queensland from the lower Gulf region to northeastern Queensland between Coen and Mount Molloy. From the Gulf region there are records from as far west as the Burketown district and inland to Thorntonia Homestead some 120 km ENE of Camooweal. Far eastern Queensland records are primarily non-coastal although some specimens have been taken at Silver Plains and Flinders Island and near Cooktown.

It is sometimes a locally common species. There are records from early December to early February.

Habitat. Adults inhabit trees, particularly in the vicinity of water courses where they often perch high up among the smaller branches. Eucalypts are favoured.

Song. Singing occurs both during the day and at dusk; otherwise unknown.