Gymnobothrus flexuosus (Schulthess, 1898)

Popov †, George B., Fishpool, Lincoln D. C. & Rowell, C. Hugh F., 2019, A review of the Acridinae s. str. (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Acrididae) of eastern Africa with taxonomic changes and description of new taxa, Journal of Orthoptera Research 28 (2), pp. 37-105 : 74

Gymnobothrus flexuosus (Schulthess, 1898) Figs 213-224

Duronia flexuosa Schulthess, 1898: 186, pl.2, fig. 9, type male, SOMALIA: Banas, Geneva Mus.

Chirista flexuosa Kirby, 1910: 143.

Zacompsa brevipennis Miller, 1929: 70, pl. 9, fig. 42, type male TANZANIA: Kilosa, NHMUK (syn. Kevan 1950).

Ogmothela brevipennis Ramme, 1931: 928.

Gymnobothrus subcarinatus (= Pseudochirista subcarinata I. Bolívar, 1922), type female. ETHIOPIA: Burka, MNHN, Paris. syn. n.

Material.

- SOUTH SUDAN: Koalig hills; Imatong Mtns. SUDAN: Lomo. ETHIOPIA: Bourka (type locality of Pseudochirista subcarinata I. Bolívar); Lake Haramaia; Jigjiga; Bishoftu; Nr. Addis Abeba; Wardere; 15 mi. S.E. Harar. SOMALIA: Iscia Baidoa; Afmadu; Baun. KENYA: Moyale; Masai CIS Mara; Joroi; Orowa plain Kabete; Nairobi, Ngong Forest Res.; Mombasa; Turkana; Machakos; Athi; Thika; Diani Beach, Bura Garissa; Narossura R. Karura Forest; Lemek 01°07'S, 35°21'E; Mutomo-Mutha; Mutha hill; Sigiri Forest Res. 5350' (1630 m); Nguni Kora; Baragoi; Dwa; Limuru 6000' (1830 m); Kibwezi. I, II, III, Vl, VIII, X. UGANDA: Lake George; Toror Hills; Teso; Chukwani. I, III, V. TANZANIA: Arusha; Tubugwe; Msimbazi R. Tanga; Old Shinyanga; Mkomasi stn. 60 m W. Amani. Msimbasi R, Tanga distr.; Kilosa; Muheza; Mhindulo; Tubugwe; Chilangali; Wuguru (type localities of G. brevipennis Miller) Tanga; Milingano; Morogoro; Wuguru; Zanzibar: Bububu. Kisese. II, III, IV, VI, VIII, Xll.

Description.

-Differs from G. temporalis in smaller size, shorter wings and different coloration. Size (in mm): total length males 12.5-15.0, females 20.0-25.0. Antenna filiform, in male longer than, in female as long as or slightly shorter than, length of head and pronotum. Fastigium of vertex oblong, trapezoidal, transverse sulcus slightly behind middle (Figs 215, 219, 223). Frontal ridge (Figs 216, 220, 224) and temporal foveolae (Figs 214, 218, 222) as temporalis . Pronotum less constricted and lateral carinae less divergent in metazona, latter only slightly longer than prozona (Figs 213, 217, 221). Wings short; folded apices level with, or only very slightly surpassing level of hind knee. Coloration differs from G. temporalis in more pronounced black markings on hind femora and color of lower areas being yellow-ochraceous and not reddish. Coloration somewhat resembles G. anchietae but can be distinguished from it by its heavier build, finer and longer antennae, more pronounced temporal foveolae, a shorter fastigium of vertex, and proportionately a longer metazona of pronotum.

Discussion.

-Annual cycle similar to G. temporalis . Habitat described variously as: riverine forest; thicket and grass; banks of dry river; relic forest; scrub on waste ground. Life cycle probably continuous reproduction.

Distribution.

-SUDAN, ETHIOPIA, KENYA, SOMALIA, UGANDA, TANZANIA: Zanzibar.