Nescicroa rufescens ( Hennemann, 1998 ) 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 : 157-159

Nescicroa rufescens ( Hennemann, 1998) n. stat.

( Fig. 62 )

Nescicroa rufescens Hennemann, 1998: 109 , pl. 4: 7–8, figs. 14–15. HT, ♂: 7919; Holotypus; Nescicroa heinrichi rufescens Hennemann, 1998 , det. F. Hennemann VI.1996 ♂; S-Sulawesi, Luwu, Palopo, leg. Gunawan XI.1995 [ MNHU, ex coll. FH]; AT, ♀: 7920; Holotypus; Nescicroa heinrichi rufescens Hennemann, 1998 , det. F. Hennemann VI .1996 ♂; S-Sulawe-si, Luwu, Palopo, leg. Gunawan XI.1995 [ MNHU, ex coll. FH]; PT, 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂: Indonesien, S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi-Selatan, Luwu, Palopo, leg. Gunawan XI.1995 [coll. FH No’s 0102-1 to 3]; PT, 1 ♂: Indonesien, S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Tana Toraja, leg. Tajuddin X.1995 – II .1996 [coll. FH No. 0102-4].

Otte & Brock, 2005: 225.

Zompro, 2005. 265.

Differential diagnosis: This species is very similar to N. rammei Günther, 1935 but can readily be separated by its distinctive red colouration of the head, thorax and abdomen as well as the transparent ruby coloured anal fan of the alae of both sexes ( Fig. 62 ). Males furthermore differ from those of N. rammei by the much smaller and rather obtuse epiproct, which hardly projects beyond the outer lateral angles of the anal segment and comparatively shorter and broader cerci ( Fig. 62G ). From N. heinrichi Günther, 1935 the ♀♀ of this species (the only sex known in rammei ) can be distinguished at first glance by the same colour patterns mentioned above, the pronotum and mesonotum being green in rammei with only the lateral margins marked by a rosy streak, the costal region of the alae being green medially with the anterior margin and posterior portion constrastingly black and the anal fan transparent grey. Moreover, the anal segment in N. rufescens is much more acutely narrowed towards the apex ( Fig. 62E ) and the notably shorter subgenital plate merely reaches to the posterior margin of abdominal tergum IX ( Figs. 62D, F ).

Comments: Originally described as a subspecies of Nescicroa heinrichi Günther, 1953 rev. comb., re-examination of the type-series and detailed comparison with the type specimens of Günther’s species have shown this taxon to be a valid species. Thus it is here raised to species level and now is Nescicroa rufescens n. stat.. Actually, it is more similar in various aspects and presumably more closely related to N. rammei Günther, 1935 than to N. heinrichi . Distinguishing features are summarized above. Body lengths: ♀♀ 61.5–67.0 mm, ♂♂ 49.5–53.0 mm.

Distribution: S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Luwu Regency, Palopo [MNHU, coll. FH]; S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan,Tana Toraja Highland [coll. FH].

Figures

FIGURE 62. Nescicroa rufescens (Hennemann, 1998) n. stat.: A. ♀ (PT), dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0102-1]; B. ♂ (PT), dorsolateral view [coll. FH, No. 0102-3]; C. Head, pro- and mesothorax of ♀ (PT) in dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0102-1]; D. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (AT) seen laterally [MNHU]; E. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0102-1]; F. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen ventrally [coll. FH, No. 0102-1]; G. Terminal abdominal segments of ♂ (PT) seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0102-3].