Diapherodes gigantea gigantea (Gmélin, 1789), Gmelin, 1789

Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle & Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert, 2016, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XVI: Revision of Haplopodini Günther, 1953 (rev. stat.), with notes on the subfamily Cladomorphinae Bradley & Galil, 1977 and the descriptions of a new tribe, four new genera and nine new species (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae), Zootaxa 4128 (1), pp. 1-211 : 73-79

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4128.1.1

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B4D2CD84-8994-4CEF-B647-3539C16B6502

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6084938

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/387F3068-D369-FFCA-FF27-EA2926121A67

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Diapherodes gigantea gigantea (Gmélin, 1789)
status

 

Diapherodes gigantea gigantea (Gmélin, 1789) View in CoL

( Figs. 120–135 View FIGURES 120 – 123 View FIGURES 124 – 135 , 348 View FIGURES 342 – 348 , 368 View FIGURES 365 – 372 , 381 View FIGURE 381 , 392–393 View FIGURES 391 – 393 , 396 View FIGURES 396 – 398 , 406–408 View FIGURES 406 – 408 )

Mantis gigantea Gmélin, 1789: 2055 . HT, ♀: St. Vincent; BMNH(E) #878212 [NHMUK]. [Replacement name for Mantis gigas Drury, 1773 ].

Diapherodes gigantea, Kirby, 1904a: 362 View in CoL .

Rabaey, 2004: 10, figs. 1, 2 & plate figs. 1 (adult couple) & 2.

Diapherodes gigantea gigantea Rehn & Hebard, 1938: 53 View in CoL .

Otte & Brock, 2005: 120. [„ Type lost“]

Mantis gigas Drury, 1773: 89 , pl. 50 (♀). HT, ♀: St. Vincent; BMNH(E) #878212 [NHMUK]. [Junior homonym of Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linné, 1758 ]

Diapherodes gigas, Gray, 1835: 33 View in CoL .

Westwood, 1859: 84.

Saussure, 1871–1872: 184.

Brunner v. Wattenwyl & Redtenbacher, 1892: 208.

Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893: 606.

Redtenbacher, 1908: 434, pl. 20:1 (♀).

Moxey, 1971: 98 (in litt.; in part—only specimens from Saint Vincent & Grenada). Bradley & Galil, 1977: 189. [ Mantis gigas Drury, 1773 removed from homonymy]

Phasma (Diapherodes) gigas, Westwood, 1873: 100 View in CoL , pl. 50 (♀).

Cyphocrana cornuta St. Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1825: 445 . HT, ♀: Diapherodes gigas Drury View in CoL , Saint Vincent [NHMUK]. [Unnecessary replacement name for Mantis gigas Drury, 1773 → Junior objective synonym of Mantis gigantea Gmélin, 1789 ]

[Not: Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linné, 1758: 425 ; → Valid name: Phasma gigas (Linné, 1758) View in CoL , Phasmatinae View in CoL : Phasmatini View in CoL ]

[Not: Haplopus grayi Kaup, 1871: 36 , erroneous synonym of Moxey, 1971: 99]

[Not: Diapherodes gigantea dominicae Rehn & Hebard, 1938: 53 View in CoL , erroneous synonym of Moxey, 1971: 99]

[Not: Diapherodes gigas, Langlois & Lelong, 1997: 43 View in CoL , figs. 20a (♀) & 20 b (♂), misidentification à Specimens from Guadeloupe are Diapherodes angulata angulata (Fabricius, 1793) View in CoL ].

[Not: Diapherodes gigas, Lelong & Langlois, 2001: 242 View in CoL , figs. 1 (♀), 2 (♀), misidentification → Specimens from Guadeloupe are Diapherodes angulata angulata (Fabricius, 1793) View in CoL ].

[Not: Langlois, Lelong & Dorel, 2006: 42, figs. 19 a–g (♂, ♀, nymph), photos 5–6 (♀) & 27–29 (egg, REM-photos) à here described as D. gigantea saintluciae View in CoL n. ssp.].

[Not: Langlois & Lelong, 2010: 69 à records from Dominica are D. dominicae (Rehn & Hebard, 1938) View in CoL ].

[Not: Langlois & Lelong, 2010: 69 à records from Saint Lucia are D. gigantea saintluciae View in CoL n. ssp.].

Further material [50 ♂♂, 52 ♀♀, 9 nymphs, eggs]:

SAINT VINCENT:

1 ♀: Saint Vincent, W. I., H.H. Smith, Collectio Br. v. W., det. Br. V. W. Diapherodes gigas Drury , 97. Said to be found principally in high trees: one specimen was obtained on a guava-tree. Second specimen wet in Nov. and one in May. In living specimens the ground colour is a pea-green, spines above brown, those at the legs black. [ NHMW, No. 838]; 1 ♀: St.Vincent, W. I., H.H. Smith, Collectio Br. v. W., det. Br. V. W. Diapherodes gigas Drury , 18.737 [ NHMW, No. 838]; 1 ♀: Saint Vincent, W. I., H.H. Smith, 9b, Saint Vincent W. I., 95–206 ( NHMUK); 1 ♂: 321, Saint Vincent, W. I., H.H. Smith, Edge of Fonst. Sunfriese [Sufriére] Volcano, Leeward side 1200 ft., Jan. 5 on leaf of Heliconia or “Wild Plantain”, Diapherodes gigas [ NHMUK]; 1 ♂: 40, 4-2, 1936, Diapherodes G. R. Gray , Diapherodes gigas (Drury) , Saint Vincent [wings spread] [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: Saint Vincent, W. Indies, 1907-296, Pres. By Miss Patterson [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: Sharp’s Valley, Saint Vincent, B.W.I., VIII.25.1941, R. S. Fennah [ ANSP]; 1 ♀: Saint Vincent, W. Indies, H.H. Smith; A.N.S.P., Ex Carn. Mus, Bruner Cln. [ ANSP].

GRENADA:

1 ♀: St. Georges, Grenada, July 1969, Frank E. Miller; Diapherodes gigas (Drury) , det. A Gurney 1969 [ USNM]; 1 ♀: Grenada, W. I., H.H. Smith, Collectio Br. v. W., det. Br. V. W. Diapherodes gigas Drury , 19.660, May 15. Purchased. This species is often seen on the Cashew-tree (Anacardiaceaee) [ NHMW, No. 838]; 1 ♂ (penultimate instar): Vendome Est. (Leeward side), Grenada, W. I., H.H. Smith, Vendome Estate Leeward, 1200 ft. open place, Sept. 8, on Guava bush [ NHMUK]; 1 ♂: Grenada W. I., H.H. Smith, Grenada W. I., 95-206, St. Catharinés Rictory (Winward), 500 ft. June 10, “Left hind wing used for drawing” Ragge [ NHMUK]; 1 ♂ (nymph n3): West Indies: Grenada, Par. St. Andrew, Birch Grove, 8-VI-1990, coll. M.C. Thomas [ FSCA]; 1 ♀: Grenada, B.W.I. [ ANSP]; 1 ♀: Grenada, W. Indies, H.H. Smith; A.N.S.P., Ex Carn. Mus, Bruner Cln. [ ANSP]; 1 ♂: Diapherodes gigantea (Gmélin, 1789) . Elevage Grenade Don Alexandre Lerch 2007, E. Delfosse Dec.2007 [ MNHN]; 1 ♂: M. Delfosse, Grenade, ♂ 3/12/2012 [ MNHN]; 1 ♂: M. Delfosse, Grenade, ♂ 23/11/2012 [ MNHN]; 1 ♀: M. Delfosse, Grenade, Elevage ♀ 22/07/2007 [ MNHN]; 2 ♀♀: ex Zucht: K. Rabaey ( Belgien), urspr.: Grenada, III.–VIII. 2004 [coll. FH, No’s 0359-1 & 2]; 2 ♂♂: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann, urspr.: Grenada, III.–VIII. 2004 [coll. FH, No’s 0359-3 & 4]; 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (subadult), 4 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (nymphs), 1 Gynandromorph (subadult), eggs: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann, urspr.: Grenada, 2005 [coll. FH, No’s 0359-5 to 14 & E]; 7 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann 2007/08, Herkunft: Grenada, leg. T. & P. James, PSG No. 260 [coll. FH, No’s 0359- 15 to 30]; 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann 2009, Herkunft: Grenada, leg. T. & P. James, PSG No. 260 [coll. FH, No’s 0359-31 to 38]; 30 ♂♂, 26 ♀♀, eggs: ex Zucht. O. Conle, Herkunft: Grenada [coll. OC].

TRINIDAD [in error?]:

1 ♀: 89–69: Trinidad [ NHMUK].

NO / UNPRECISE DATA:

1 ♀: no data [wings spread] [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: 40, 4-2, 1329 [presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 1 nymph (n1): 40, 4- 2, 1366 [presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 1 nymph (n1): 40, 4-2, 1367 [presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 2 eggs: 40, 4-2, 1370 [presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 4 eggs: 40, 4-2, 1369 [presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: 40, 4-2, 1365 [wings spread—presumably from Saint Vincent] [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: 59-57, Vigors Coll. [ NHMUK]; 1 ♀: West Indies, H. A. Ballou [ ANSP].

Diagnosis: This is the largest and most southward distributed species in the genus. Females are well characterized by the ± expanded and dentate carinae of the mid and hind legs (metatibiae in particular, Fig. 132 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ) and sparse armature of the mesonotum ( Fig. 126 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). From D. angulata (Fabricius, 1793) from Guadeloupe it differs by: the larger size of both sexes; much less numerous spiniform tubercles of the mesonotum; decidedly longer but less numerous spines of the marginal row on the meso- and metapleurae ( Figs. 126–127 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ); much broader legs and prominently dentate, ± distinctly expanded carinae of the mid and hind legs of ♀♀ ( Fig. 132 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Males differ from those of D. angulata by: the brown general colouration ( Figs. 123 View FIGURES 120 – 123 , 380 View FIGURES 379 – 380 ); relatively shorter mesothorax; more prominent spiniform tubercles on the mesonotum and translucent orange anal region of the alae (hyalinous in angulata ). Eggs principally differ by the considerably larger dimensions and less strongly sculptured capsule surface ( Figs. 134–135 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ).

Description: ♀ ( Figs. 120–122 View FIGURES 120 – 123 , 392–393 View FIGURES 391 – 393 ). Large to very large (body length including subgenital plate 153.0–197.0 mm) and broad for the genus (maximum body width at abdominal tergum II 15.0–19.0 mm), mid and hind legs with carinae ± expanded and denticulate (metatibiae in particular). General colouration usually plain bright apple-green, the ventral body surface mid green and with a whitish wash on abdominal sternites II–VII, more rarely with a black wash; occasionally olive or slightly brownish green specimens occur. Transverse borders between the abdominal tergites yellow to orange. Spines of the marginal expansion of the meso- and metapleurae dull pink to purple (bluish green in young specimens). Dorsal spines of the thorax with the bases yellow and tips orange. Antennae orange to reddish brown; scapus green. Tegmina and alae bright green. Tarsi yellowish or greenish pale to mid brown. Eyes yellowish to reddish brown.

Head: Globose, convex, 1.2x longer than wide and armed with two more or less decided humps, tubercles or blunt spines on vertex ( Fig. 124 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Back with a variable number of small granules, which are roughly arranged in four parallel, longitudinal rows; anterior portion sometimes set with a few scattered granules. Eyes circular, convex and rather small; their length contained almost 2.5x in that of cheeks. Antennae reaching to abdominal segment III; with about 55 segments. Scapus dorsoventrally flattened, 2.2x longer than wide and gently narrowed towards the base. Pedicellus cylindrical and about 2/5 the length of scapus.

Thorax: Pronotum slightly shorter and narrower than the head; indistinctly longer than wide. In front of the very prominent transverse median sulcus armed with a pair of large, blunt spines ( Fig. 124 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ); posterior half with a more or less decided pair of tubercles close to posterior margin (sometimes lacking). Mesothorax almost 2x longer than head and pronotum combined, and moderately constricted anteriorly. Mesonotum dorsally armed with one or two pairs of prominent blunt spines close to anterior margin and one or two further pairs of slightly smaller spines in the anterior half of the dorsal surface; sometimes specimens may occur which lack any distinct spines and have the mesonotum with only a few small granules ( Figs. 124, 126 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Metanotum unarmed, about 2/5 length of mesonotum, gently narrowing towards the posterior and about as long as wide. Spines of the meso- and metapleurae very distinct and acute; the longest being almost 3.5x as long as its basal width ( Figs. 126-127 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Mesopleurae with 11–17, metapleurae with 11–14 spines. Meso- and metasternum each with a variable number of pointed tubercles ( Fig. 127 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ), which are generally more decided and larger on the metasternum. Tegmina fairly large for the genus and usually reaching to posterior margin of metanotum (length 11.6–15.3 mm) with posterior margin roundly angulate; usually leaving a space inbetween them and rarely overlapping. Alae very small and projecting underneath tegmina by about 1.0–3.0 mm.

Abdomen: Median segment slightly longer than metanotum and trapezoidal, being gently narrowed towards the margin. Segments II–V of equal length, VI–VII slightly shorter. Lateral margins of III–V gently rounded. II–IV about 1.5–1.8x wider than long, V about as long as wide, VI slightly longer than wide. VII narrower and slightly longer than VI with the lateral margins ± rounded posteriorly. Praeopercular organ on sternum VII formed by a short, elongated carina which terminates in a blunt tubercle ( Fig. 348 View FIGURES 342 – 348 ). Tergum VIII about 3/5 the length and decidedly narrower than VII, considerably more convex than previous. IX less than half the length of VIII, roughly quadrate. Anal segment longer than IX, the posterior half gently narrowing towards the apex and with a faint longitudinal median carina dorsally. Posterior margin rounded and with a small, triangular median indentation ( Fig. 131 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Subgenital plate long and gradually narrowed towards a pointed tip; projecting over apex of abdomen by about the combined length of tergites IX and X ( Figs. 130–131 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ).

Legs: All of moderate length and strikingly broad, with several of the carinae of the mid and hind legs ± elevated. Profemora about as long as mesothorax and metatibiae reaching about half way along abdominal tergum VII. Posterodorsal carina of profemora with a few minute granules; remaining carinae of front legs unarmed. Mid and hind legs strongly carinate with all carinae densely and ± distinctly denticulate to roughly dentate ( Fig. 132 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Femora with posterodorsal and anteroventral carina ± strongly expanded and lamellate or ledge-like. Medioventral carina faint and with 5–11 spines, which decrease in size towards the base of femur. Posteroventral carina with one, anteroventral carina with two moderately distinct, pointed sub-apical spines. Anterodorsal carina of tibiae raised and ± elevated and rounded apically. Medioventral carina prominently raised and strongly rounded sub-basally. Armature and expansions considerably more decided on hind legs. Basitarsi indistinctly longer than second tarsomere.

♂ ( Figs. 123 View FIGURES 120 – 123 , 396 View FIGURES 396 – 398 ). Large (body length 92.0–126.0 mm) and moderately stocky for the genus, with long alae (50.0– 69.5 mm) and a comparatively short sparsely spinose mesothorax. General colouration of head and body pale yellowish to creamish mid brown; ventral body segments whitish. Thoracic armature mid to dull green ( Fig. 125 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Tegmina and costal region of alae creamish mid brown, the tegmina with a broad, longitudinal white stripe along the anterior margin, continued in the basal quarter of the alae. Anal region of alae pale translucent orange. Antennae reddish brown, two basal segments brown. Eyes dark reddish brown.

Head: Generally as in ♀♀, vertex strongly convex with two ± distinct cephalad tubercles or small spines and a few scattered small granules in posterior portion ( Fig. 125 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Eyes large, very slightly oval in outline and projecting hemispherically; their length contained slightly less than 2x in that of cheeks. Antennae reaching to posterior margin of abdominal tergum III, otherwise as in ♀♀ and with 54–56 antennomeres.

Thorax: Pronotum about as long and broad as head and gently narrowed towards the posterior. Transverse median sulcus very prominent, slightly curved and reaching lateral margins of segment. Anterior half armed with a median pair of spiniform tubercles or blunt spines; posterior margin with four small, but acute granules, two median ones and one at each outer angle ( Fig. 125 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Mesothorax of moderate length, about 1.7–1.8x longer than head and pronotum combined; mesonotum about 5x longer than wide. Dorsal surface irregularly set with a variable number of small tubercles and granules; a longitudinal row of small granules along lateral margins. Anterior of mesonotum with two pairs of rather distinct blunt spines ( Fig. 125 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ), and usually there is a further pair of ± enlarged pre-median spiniform tubercles. Meso- and metapleurae with a longitudinal row of minute granules. Meso- and metasternum sparingly granulose. Tegmina with a blunt but well decided hump pre-medially. Alae reaching about half way along abdominal tergum VI.

Abdomen: Segments II–VII very slightly tapering gradually, II–IV roughly equal in length and V–VII somewhat decreasing in length. Tergum VII very slightly widened towards the posterior and occasionally with the lateral margins slightly deflexed and rounded posteriorly ( Fig. 128 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Tergum VIII 2 /3 the length of VII and gradually widening towards the posterior. IX ¾ the length of VIII and gently narrowing towards the posterior. Anal segment with a very faint longitudinal median keel, the posterior margin broadly rounded and with a ± distinct median indentation ( Fig. 129 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Vomer about 1.3x longer than maximum width, basal portion broadly rounded, the terminal hook straight acutely pointed of moderate length and bluntly keeled ventrally ( Fig. 368 View FIGURES 365 – 372 ). Poculum granulose, convex and cup-like with a blunt central hump and a small median incision at posterior margin ( Fig. 368 View FIGURES 365 – 372 ) and very slightly projecting over posterior margin of tergum IX ( Fig. 128 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ).

Legs: All of moderate length, profemora almost as long as pro- and mesonotum combined, metatibiae almost reaching to posterior margin of abdominal tergum VI. All carinae densely but very minutely denticulate. Posteroventral carina of meso- and metafemora with one, anteroventral carina with two sub-apical spines. Medioventral carina broad and flat, armed with 4–8 short but strong spines in apical half of femur, which strongly decrease in size and disappear about halfway towards the base ( Fig. 133 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ). Tarsi rather stout, slightly less than half the length of corresponding tibia. Basitarsi about 1.3x longer than second tarsomere.

Nymphs: Newly hatched nymphs are rather robust and have a body length of ±20.0 mm. The colouration is mid green, the body dorsally marbled with some brown and the pronotum with a brown longitudinal median stripe. Coxae, protibiae and antennae brown. Later instars vary from pale green over straw to dark brown and sometimes specimens may possess bold whitish markings on the thorax and abdomen. The sexes can be distinguishes from 3rd instar onwards, but both have abdominal tergum VII with a rounded lateral lobe throughout their entire development which only disappears with the final ecdysis.

Variability: This species shows considerable variability in the size and degree of the body and leg armature. Specimens from the type-locality Saint Vincent are on average larger and have the body and leg armature more prominently developed, particularly in ♀♀. While the mesonotum is unarmed or only bears a few moderately distinct spines in ♀♀ from Grenada, it is armed with 6–8 prominent, blunt spines in specimens from Saint Vincent. The distinct pair of tubercles on the vertex seen in ♀♀ from Saint Vincent is often lacking in the Grenada colony. The degree of expansion of the carinae of the mid and hind legs and the degree of leg armature of ♀♀ generally depends on the general size of the insects. The colouration of ♀♀ is usually bright apple-green, but more rarely olive or slightly brownish green specimens may occur.

Egg ( Figs. 134–135 View FIGURES 124 – 135 ): The following description is based on a large number of eggs in the first author's collection (coll. FH) laid by captive reared specimens originating from Grenada.

Large, barrel-shaped and fairly elongate, capsule almost 2x longer than wide. Polar area very gently impressed if seen in lateral aspect. Capsule surface to a variable degree covered with irregular areas and clusters of slightly sponge-like structured tubercles and raised ridges, as well as numerous single wart-like tubercles. These often form a ± decided longitudinal ridge from the posterior end of the micropylar plate to the polar-area. Opercular collar decidedly marginated. Micropylar plate rather large and slightly less than half the length of capsule. Entire surface, except for a narrow space along the outer margin, covered with the same sponge-like structures seen on the capsule. Micropylar cup distinct. Operculum in the centre with a prominent, raised circular rim, dorsally with ± spiniform tubercles. General colouration pale to dark brown, the raised structures often paler brown than lower parts of capsule. Outer margin of micropylar plate and micropylar cup blackish brown.

Measurements [mm]: Length including operculum 4.9–5.8, length 4.7–5.6, width 2.9–3.3, height 2.9–3.2, length of micropylar plate 1.8–2.2.

Comments: This striking species was first described by Drury (1773: 89) as Mantis gigas . As Drury's species was at that time placed in the same genus as Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linné, 1758 , Gmélin (1789: 2055) was in his rights to introduce Mantis gigantea as a replacement name for Drury's species. Although these two taxa were placed in two distinct genera subsequently, Gmélin's Mantis gigantea is the valid name of the species originally described and figured by Drury. With the exceptions of Kirby (1904a), Rehn & Hebard (1938) and Otte & Brock (2003) Gmélin's valid replacement name was not accepted by subsequent authors who all listed Mantis gigantea Gmélin, 1789 as a junior synonym of Mantis gigas Drury, 1773 . Drury's ♀ type-specimen was believed lost, but a ♀ in NHMUK with the data “ Diapherodes gigas Drury , Saint Vincent ” matches perfectly with the illustration provided by Drury (1773, plate 50) in every aspect, hence is here interpreted as the holotype of Mantis gigas Drury.

Haplopus grayi Kaup, 1871 (most certainly from Guadeloupe, → see comments on D. angulata above) and Diapherodes gigantea dominicae Rehn & Hebard, 1938 from Dominica were both erroneously interpreted as synonyms of Diapherodes gigas (Drury, 1773) in the unpublished PhD-Thesis of Moxey (1971: 99). In fact, H. grayi is a synonym of D. angulata (Fabricius, 1793) and D. gigantea dominicae is here shown to represent a separate and valid species (→ see Diapherodes dominicae Rehn & Hebard, 1938 n. comb.). Redtenbacher (1908: 434, pl. 20: 1) provided brief descriptions of both sexes and illustrated a ♀ from Saint Vincent in NHMW.

Examination of numerous specimens throughout European and American museum collections has proven D. gigantea is restricted to the two southern Lesser Antillean islands Grenada and Saint Vincent. No specimens have so far been recorded from the intervening Grenadines and a specimen from Trinidad in NHMUK is most certainly mislabelled. All records from Guadeloupe and Dominica were based on misidentified material of either D. angulata (Fabricius, 1793) or D. dominicae (Rehn & Hebard, 1938) . The specimens recorded from Saint Lucia by Langlois, Lelong & Dorel (2006: 42) and Langlois & Lelong (2010: 69) are here described as a separate subspecies ( D. gigantea saintluciae n. ssp.), since these differ by a good number of morphological characters from specimens from Grenada and Saint Vincent (→ see below).

In Grenada this species is known to feed on cinnamon ( Cinnamomum spp., Lauraceae ) and guava ( Psidium guayava , Myrtaceae ). Hand-written labels underneath the specimens from Saint Vincent and Grenada in NHMW state these insects to be principally found on high trees and to be commonly observed on cashew-trees ( Anacardium occidentale, Anacardiaceaee ). Hence, this might be another natural host-plant of D. gigantea gigantea . Based on a record of a museum specimen, Moxey (1972: 10) furthermore mentioned Ixora sp. ( Rubiaceae ) to be a possible host-plant.

Rabaey (2004) provided brief information on the distribution in Grenada, alternative food plants and breeding of D. gigantea . In captivity in Europe nymphs and adults accept eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus spp., Myrtaceae ), bay tree ( Laurus nobilis , Lauraceae ), guava ( Psidium guajava , Myrtaceae ), salal ( Gaultheria shallon , Ericaceae ), different oaks ( Quercus spp., Fagaceae ) and bramble ( Rubus fruticosus , Rosaceae ) as alternative food plants. Adults are fairly robust and long-lived insects, ♀♀ reaching ages of up to one year. Mating is frequent but mainly takes place during the night. On average ♀♀ lay two eggs per day, which are simply flicked away by a rapid movement of the abdomen. The strong and ventrally spinose hind-legs of ♀♀ are frequently used for active defense, whereas ♂♂ flash their large orange wings. This species has been included on the Phasmid Study Group (PSG) culture-list as culture No. 260.

Photos of an interesting captive reared gynandromorph have been contributed by Mieke Duytschaever ( Belgium). This specimen is a mainly ♂ but has several ♀ characteristics on the right. While there is a fully developed ala on the left, the right ala is only represented as a small scale-like rudiment. All right legs and most parts of the right body surface a bright geen as in ♀♀, the remaining portions of the body being brown as typical for ♂♂ of this species ( Figs. 406–407 View FIGURES 406 – 408 ). The genitalia are mostly ♂ with a typical anal segment, but the poculum is considerably deformed ( Fig. 408 View FIGURES 406 – 408 ).

Distribution ( Fig. 381 View FIGURE 381 ): Saint Vincent [Volcano Soufriére [NHMUK]; Sharp's Valley [NHMUK]) and Grenada (St. Georges [USNM]; Vendome Estate [NHMUK]; St. Andrew, Birch Grove [FSCA]).

Number of specimens examined: 111

NHMW

Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien

NHMUK

Natural History Museum, London

ANSP

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia

USNM

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History

FSCA

Florida State Collection of Arthropods, The Museum of Entomology

MNHN

Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Phasmida

Family

Phasmatidae

Genus

Diapherodes

Loc

Diapherodes gigantea gigantea (Gmélin, 1789)

Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle & Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert 2016
2016
Loc

Diapherodes gigas

Lelong & Langlois 2001: 242
2001
Loc

Diapherodes gigas

Langlois & Lelong 1997: 43
1997
Loc

Diapherodes gigantea gigantea

Rehn & Hebard 1938: 53
1938
Loc

Diapherodes gigantea dominicae

Rehn & Hebard 1938: 53
1938
Loc

D. dominicae

Rehn & Hebard 1938
1938
Loc

Diapherodes gigantea

Kirby 1904: 362
1904
Loc

Phasma (Diapherodes) gigas

Westwood 1873: 100
1873
Loc

Haplopus grayi

Kaup 1871: 36
1871
Loc

Diapherodes gigas

Gray 1835: 33
1835
Loc

Cyphocrana cornuta

St. Fargeau & Audinet-Serville 1825: 445
1825
Loc

Diapherodes angulata angulata

Fabricius 1793
1793
Loc

Diapherodes angulata angulata

Fabricius 1793
1793
Loc

Mantis gigantea Gmélin, 1789: 2055

Gmelin 1789: 2055
1789
Loc

Mantis gigantea Gmélin, 1789

Gmelin 1789
1789
Loc

Mantis gigas

Drury 1773
1773
Loc

Mantis gigas

Drury 1773: 89
1773
Loc

Mantis gigas

Drury 1773
1773
Loc

Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linné, 1758

Linne 1758
1758
Loc

Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linné, 1758: 425

Linne 1758: 425
1758
Loc

Phasma gigas (Linné, 1758)

Linne 1758
1758
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