Singaporoidea tenella (Günther, 1935) Hennemann, 2021

Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 5073 (1), pp. 1-189 : 168-169

Singaporoidea tenella (Günther, 1935) n. comb.

( Fig. 65 )

Necroscia tenella Günther, 1935: 24 , pl. 2: 16. HT, ♂: Celebes, Latimodjong-Geb., Oeroe 800m, Heinrich 8.1930; Typus; Necroscia tenella Gtr. [MNHU].

Günther, 1938: 59.

Nescicroa tenella, Hennemann, 1998: 107 , 122, pl. 1: 1–2, fig. 11. [Descriptions of ♀ and egg]

Otte & Brock, 2005: 226.

Zompro, 2005: 282.

Further material: 6 ♀♀, 8 ♂♂, 12 eggs: S-Sulawesi, Selatan Prov. , Strasse von Rantepao nach Palopo km 43, 900m, leg. F. Hennemann 17.VIII.1995 [coll. FH, No’s 0101-1 to 14, E] ; 1 ♀: S-Sulawesi, Selatan Prov. , Tana Toraja, Rantepao, 700m, leg. Gunawan X.1995 [coll. FH, No. 0101-16] ; 1 ♂: S-Sulawesi, Selatan Prov. , Tana Toraja, leg. Tajuddin X.1995 – II.1996 [coll. FH, No. 0103-15] .

Differentiation: The club-like terminalia as well as the short and obtuse cerci of ♂♂ ( Figs. 65H–J ) readily separate S. tenella from ♂♂ of the Sulawesian S. macra (Redtenbacher, 1908) n. comb. and S. normalis (Redtenbacher, 1908) n. comb., these two species having the terminal three abdominal segments rather slender, all longer than wide and the cerci fairly long, slender and strongly incurving ( macra ) or hook-like ( normalis ). These ♂♂ are very similar to S. inconspicua (Redtenbacher, 1908) n. comb. but can be differentiated by the smaller size (body length 43.0– 45.5 mm versus 50.0–54.0 mm in inconspicua ) and somewhat more stocky shape, having the anal segment less swollen and globose in shape and not broader than the previous terga, lacking pale spots on the mesonotum, having the tegmina green with only the anterior margin brown and having a hyalinous anal fan of the alae (transparent grey in inconspicua ). The ♀♀ of S. inconspicua and S. macra are not known. From those of S. normalis however, ♀♀ of S. tenella can easily be separated by the averaging smaller size, more stock shape and relatively shorter body segments and limbs with the mesonotum being no more than 3.3x the length of the pronotum (> 3.5x in normalis ), lack of the distinctively light green granules of the mesonotum, notably shorter and broader head, more obtuse apex of the anal segment (fig. 65F), notably shorter and less elongate cerci, that just slightly project beyond the anal segment and shorter subgenital plate which merely reaches to the posterior margin of abdominal tergum IX ( Figs. 65E, G ).

Comments: This species was automatically transferred to Paranecroscia Redtenbacher, 1908 (see comments on Nescicroa Karny, 1923 above) and is here transferred to Singaporoidea (n. comb.). German descriptions of the ♀ and egg as well as drawings of the genitalia of ♀♀ and eggs were provided by Hennemann (1998: 107), who trans-ferred the species to Nescicroa Karny, 1923 . A more comprehensive illustration of S. tenella appears helpful and is here provided making use of the much better photographic equipment now available along with a more detailed differentiation from closely related Sulawesian taxa.

Moreover, the interesting information on the habitat of S. tenella and collecting event provided by Hennemann (1998: 107) shall at this point be reproduced in English. It was interesting to observe a very plentiful occurence of this species on a single 5–6 m tall and unidentified tree with a fairly broad crown directly next to the road leading from Rantepao to Palopo on a fairly steep slope. This tree was severely damaged and almost completely defoliated. The total number of insects on this particular tree was estimated to exceed 300 individuals. All stages were present although only a low percentage of specimens were adult with the great majority being immatures between 2 nd and 5 th instar. Within a few days the ♀♀ collected at this event laid about 60 eggs ( Fig. 65K ), which hatched back in Europe after 6–7 weeks and at a rate of about 80% but unfortunately, the small citreous nymphs refused all alternative food plants offered.

Distribution: S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Latimojong Mountains, Uru, 800 m [MNHU]; S-Sulawesi, Su-lawesi Selatan, Road Rantepao → Palopo km 43, 900 m [coll. FH]; S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Tana Toraja, Rantepao 700 m [coll. FH].

Figures

FIGURE 65. Singaporoidea tenella (Günther, 1935) n. comb.: A. ♂, habitus dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0101-2]; B. Head, pro-, mesothorax and tegmina of ♂ seen dorso-laterally [coll. FH, No. 0101-2]; C. ♀, habitus latral view [coll. FH, No. 0101-15]; D. Head, pro-, mesothorax and tegmina of ♂ seen dorso-laterally [coll. FH, No. 0101-15]; E. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ seen laterally [coll. FH, No. 0101-15]; F. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0101- 15]; G. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ seen ventrally [coll. FH, No. 0101-15]; H. Terminal abdominal segments of ♂ seen laterally [coll. FH, No. 0101-2]; J. Terminal abdominal segments of ♂ seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0101-2]; K. Eggs [coll. FH, No. 0101-E].