Native and non-native sources of carbohydrate correlate with abundance of an invasive ant

Invasive species threaten many ecological communities and predicting which communities and sites are invasible remains a key goal of invasion ecology. Although invasive ants often reach high abundances in association with plant-based carbohydrate resources, the source and provenance of these resources are rarely investigated. We characterized carbohydrate resources across ten sites with a range of yellow crazy ant abundance in Arnhem Land, Australia and New Caledonia to determine whether yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) abundance and trophic position correlate with carbohydrate availability, as well as the relative importance of native and non-native sources of carbohydrates to ant diet. In both locations, measures of yellow crazy ant abundance strongly positively correlated with carbohydrate availability, particularly honeydew production, the number of tended hemipterans, and the number of plants with tended hemipterans. In Arnhem Land, 99.6% of honeydew came from native species, whereas in New Caledonia, only 0.2% of honeydew was produced by a native hemipteran. More honeydew was available in Australia due to three common large-bodied species of Auchenorrhyncha honeydew producers (treehoppers and leafhoppers). Yellow crazy ant trophic position declined with increasing yellow crazy ant abundance indicating that in greater densities the ants are obtaining more of their diet from plant-derived resources, including honeydew and extrafloral nectar. The relationships between yellow crazy ant abundance and carbohydrate availability could not be explained by any of the key environmental variables we measured at our study sites. Our results demonstrate that the positive correlation between yellow crazy ant abundance and honeydew production is not contingent upon the provenance of the hemipterans. Native sources of carbohydrate may play an underappreciated role in greatly increasing community invasibility by ants

Indigenous plants promote insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces

The contribution of urban greenspaces to support biodiversity and provide benefits for people is increasingly recognized. However, ongoing management practices favor vegetation oversimplification, often limiting greenspaces to lawns and tree canopy rather than multi-layered vegetation that includes under- and midstorey, and the use of nonnative species. These practices hinder the potential of greenspaces to sustain indigenous biodiversity, particularly for taxa like insects that rely on plants for food and habitat. Yet, little is known about which plant species may maximize positive outcomes for taxonomically and functionally diverse insect communities in greenspaces. Additionally, while cities are expected to experience high rates of introductions, quantitative assessments of the relative occupancy of indigenous vs. introduced insect species in greenspace are rare, hindering understanding of how management may promote indigenous biodiversity while limiting the establishment of introduced insects. Using a hierarchically replicated study design across 15 public parks, we recorded occurrence data from 552 insect species on 133 plant species, differing in planting design element (lawn, midstorey, and tree canopy), midstorey growth form (forbs, lilioids, graminoids, and shrubs) and origin (nonnative, native, and indigenous), to assess (1) the relative contributions of indigenous and introduced insect species and (2) which plant species sustained the highest number of indigenous insects. We found that the insect community was overwhelmingly composed of indigenous rather than introduced species. Our findings further highlight the core role of multi-layered vegetation in sustaining high insect biodiversity in urban areas, with indigenous midstorey and canopy representing key elements to maintain rich and functionally diverse indigenous insect communities. Intriguingly, graminoids supported the highest indigenous insect richness across all studied growth forms by plant origin groups. Our work highlights the opportunity presented by indigenous understory and midstorey plants, particularly indigenous graminoids, in our study area to promote indigenous insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces. Our study provides a blueprint and stimulus for architects, engineers, developers, designers, and planners to incorporate into their practice plant species palettes that foster a larger presence of indigenous over regionally native or nonnative plant species, while incorporating a broader mixture of midstorey growth forms

Anabunda retortinervis Emeljanov

<i>Anabunda retortinervis</i> Emeljanov <p>(Figs 2 a, 3a, 4a–e)</p> <p> <i>Anabunda retortinervis</i> Emeljanov, 2005:33, fig 13.</p> <p> <b>Material examined: Holotype:</b> 1ɗ, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 15.x.1958 (T.G. Campbell) (ANIC).</p> <p> <b>Paratypes:</b> 1Ψ, 10km SSE of Yeppoon, Qld, 21.x.1975 (I.F.B. Common) (ANIC).</p> <p> <b>Other material examined: Australia — QUEENSLAND:</b> 3ɗ, Southport, 22.ix.1929 (J.A. Bock) (UQIC); 2ɗ, E Lake Bowarrady, Fraser Island, 2–3.xii.1975 (A. Slater, G. Thompson) (QM); 2ɗ, Mt Tamborine,. xi.1918 (Froggatt collection) (ANIC); 1ɗ, Brisbane, 3.x.1936 (A.J.S.) (UQIC); 1ɗ, Murralah, Mt Emlyn, SSE Millmerran, at light, 22.xi.1992 (T.A. Lambkin) (QM); 1ɗ, Yidney rocks, Fraser Island, 4–5.xii.1975 (A. Slater, G. Thompson) (QM); 1ɗ, 0.5km SW AB Lake, Fraser Island, at light, 17.xii.1979 (K. Lambkin) (QM); 1ɗ, St Bernards, Mt Tamborine, light trap, 31.i.1961 (C.W. Frazier) (ASCU); 1ɗ, Mt Gravatt, 26.ix.1964 (A Terauds) (UQIC); 1ɗ, S Maryborough, nr Teddington Weir, 27.39S 152.43E, 5.ix.1987 (G. & A. Daniels) (UQIC); 1ɗ, Planted Creek, nr Tansey, 12.xii.1976 (G.B. & S.R. Monteith) (UQIC); 1ɗ, Redland Bay, 11.ix.1954 (G. Hooper) (UQIC); 1ɗ, Brisbane, 17.viii.1955 (F.A. Perkins) (UQIC); 3ɗ, 1Ψ, Camp Milo, Cooloola, 15–18.x.1978 (G.B. Monteith) (QM); 1ɗ, 1Ψ, Stanthorpe, 23.x.1927 (E. Sutton) (QDPI); 1Ψ, Stradbroke Island, 26.ix.1906 (Froggatt collection) (ANIC); 1Ψ, (Froggatt collection) (ANIC); 1Ψ, Brisbane, 23.x.1969 (PRB) (WINC); 1Ψ, Gatton,. iii.1954 (C. Flynn) (QM); 1Ψ, Burleigh Heads, 16.i.1973 (A. Burrows) (QM); 1Ψ, Booloumba Creek, State Forest Park, at light, 28–29.x.1988 (K.J. Lambkin) (QM); 1Ψ, Cobbs Hill, 26.02S 151.54E, pitfall & intercept traps, 19.xii.1992 –. iii.1993 (S. Hamlet) (QM); 1Ψ, vine scrub, 200m, Perry's Knob, 27.36S 152.36E, intercept trap, 15.ix.–11.xi.1998 (Monteith, Cook, Thompson) (QM); 1Ψ, Site 1, Mt Deongwar, 460m, 27.14S 152.15E, pyrethrum of trees, 14.x.1998 (P. Bouchard) (QM); 1Ψ, ex pine trees (QDPI); 1Ψ, ex banana leaf, Kandango, 22.xi.1925 (J.L.F.) (QDPI); 1Ψ, Peel Island, x.1925 (QDPI); 1Ψ, Taringa, xi.1933 (J.G. Brooks) (AM); 1Ψ, Glen Aplin, 26.x.1963 (P. Kerridge) (UQIC); 1Ψ, Noosa Heads, viii.1959 (J. Bryan) (UQIC); 1Ψ, Brisbane, 20.xi.1956 (J. Martin) (UQIC); 1Ψ, Brisbane, 18.ix.1964 (Y. Williams) (UQIC); 1Ψ, Stanthorpe, 21.ix.1930 (E. Sutton) (UQIC); 1 unknown (missing abdomen), Burleigh,. iv.1942 (Mae Smales) (ANIC) labelled as a paratype but was not included in Emeljanov (2005). <b>NEW SOUTH WALES:</b> 1ɗ, Rydalmere nr Sydney, light trap, 23.ii.1988 (G.J. Goodyer) (ASCU); 10ɗ, 1Ψ, Eastwood nr Sydney, light trap, 29.x.1991 (M.J. Fletcher) (ASCU); 1Ψ, Gilgandra, 3.xi.1973 (L.P. Kelsey) (ANIC); 1Ψ, Ulong East, Dorrigo, (W. Heron) (AM); 1Ψ, Pearl Beach, Woy Woy, 10.xii.1988 (G.R. Brown, M.A. Terras) (ASCU).</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> <i>Colour.</i> Vertex predominantly green except for three red marks on anterior margin, which may be faded in older specimens. Frons, pronotum, and mesonotum green (Fig. 2 a). Eyes black fading to brown in older specimens. Legs green with reddish colouration at posterior section of femur and anterior section of tibia. Spines on legs black. Forewings green, hindwings smoky white.</p> <p> <i>Body length.</i> ɗ 8.3–9.6 mm, Ψ 9.1–10.9 mm</p> <p> <i>Head.</i> Vertex projecting beyond eyes about two-thirds eye length. Pronotum extending to level with anterior margin of eyes, hind margin rounded. Frons widest at frontoclypeal suture, dorsal edge approximately two-thirds width of widest point. Frontoclypeal suture distinct.</p> <p> <i>Thorax.</i> Forewings with 19–20 apical cells and one to two rows of subapical cells.</p> <p>Ve i n C u A 2 strongly curved. Apical spines of hind tibia in two rows, 2nd row with 4–5 spines positioned between 7 spines of 1st row (Fig. 3 a).</p> <p> <i>Male genitalia.</i> First segment of anal tube widening along length, bearing two small flanges at posterior margin (Figs 4 d, e). Medioventral process of pygofer square (Fig. 4 b). Parameres with ventral surface smooth (Fig. 4 b), dorsal surface twisted, lined with 1 large and 4 small spines along outer margin (Fig. 4 a). Aedeagal appendages slightly broadened at midlength, each with 1 apical spine (Figs 4 a, c). Dorsal lobe of phallobase reduced to 2 small spines (Fig. 4 a). Lateral lobes greatly reduced.</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> Unlike other described species of the genus, <i>A. retortinervis</i> lacks dark markings on the forewings. The material examined has extended the known distribution of this species east to Fraser and Stradbroke Islands (Qld), south to Sydney (NSW), and west to Gilgandra (NSW) (Fig. 1)</p>Published as part of <i>Moir, Melinda L. & Fletcher, Murray J., 2006, Two new species of Anabunda Emeljanov (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from Australia, pp. 39-50 in Zootaxa 1328</i> on pages 42-45, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/174150">10.5281/zenodo.174150</a&gt

CRYPTOBARSAC RUBRIOPS, A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF SELIZINE FLATIDAE (HEMIPTERA FULGOROMORPHA) FROM GRASSTREES (XANTHORRHOEA PREISSII) IN SOUTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Volume: 21Start Page: 221End Page: 22

Anabunda Emeljanov

Genus <i>Anabunda</i> Emeljanov <p> <i>Anabunda</i> Emeljanov, 2005: 30.</p> <p> <b>Type species:</b> <i>Anabunda retortinervis</i> Emeljanov, 2005, by original designation.</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> <i>Colour</i>. All species are predominantly green, fading to yellow in pinned specimens.</p> <p> <i>Body length.</i> ɗ 5.9–10.9 mm, Ψ 6.7–13.4 mm</p> <p> <i>Head.</i> Vertex rounded anteriorly and slightly concave, extending no more than one eye’s length in front of eyes. Vertex approximately half as wide as long. Frons approximately four times as long as wide with lateral and median carinae strongly elevated. Frontoclypeal suture not distinct, arching to form inverted U-shape with median point reaching lower margin of antennal scape.</p> <p> <i>Thorax.</i> Pronotum rounded, projecting anteriorly to approximately anterior margin of eyes, bearing distinct median carina and two lateral carinae, these not reaching posterior margin. Mesonotum with three distinct longitudinal carinae; lateral carinae interrupted at approximately one-third length. Forewings with 16–20 apical cells and 1–4 rows of subapical cells. Vein CuA2 strongly recurved in all species except <i>Anabunda minuta</i>.</p> <p> <i>Male genitalia.</i> Nomenclature follows Fennah (1945). Anal tube with terminal segment diamond-shaped and fringed with setae (Figs. 4 e, 5e, 6e). Aedeagus with two appendages, generally tubular. Dorsal lobe of phallobase reduced to two small spines in all species except <i>Anabunda minuta,</i> where greatly expanded.</p> <p> <b>Distribution:</b> Australia (NSW, Qld) (Fig. 1).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Anabunda</i> can be distinguished from <i>Rhinochloris</i> by the latter’s having the head anteriorly sharply acute, usually forming a narrow horn. Species of <i>Rhinochloris</i> also have 3–4 spines on the hind tibia whereas <i>Anabunda</i> and <i>Epiona</i> have only one. Species of <i>Anabunda</i> and <i>Epiona</i> are generally more similar to each other but can be differentiated by the anterior margin of the pronotum, which is rounded in <i>Anabunda</i> and angulate in <i>Epiona</i>. The distal position of the single lateral hind-tibial spine places <i>Anabunda</i> in the tribe Achilini of the subfamily Achilinae (see Fletcher 2004).</p>Published as part of <i>Moir, Melinda L. & Fletcher, Murray J., 2006, Two new species of Anabunda Emeljanov (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from Australia, pp. 39-50 in Zootaxa 1328</i> on page 41, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/174150">10.5281/zenodo.174150</a&gt

Anabunda

Key to species of <i>Anabunda</i> <p> 1. Body length less than 7 mm. Maximal dorsal width less than 2.5 mm (Fig. 2 c). Maximal width of frons at midlength. Hind margin of pronotum angulate. Hind tibia with 2 rows of apical spines, 1st row comprising 10 spines, 2nd row 7 spines (Fig. 3 c)............. <i>.......................................................................................................... A. minuta</i>, <b>sp. nov.</b>... Body length greater than 7 mm. Maximal dorsal width greater than 3 mm. Maximal width of frons at frontoclypeal suture. Hind margin of pronotum rounded. Hind tibia not as above 2</p> <p> 2. Narrow in dorsal view, width approximately one-third total length of the animal (Fig. 2 a). One or two rows of subapical cells in forewings. Hind tibia with 2 rows of apical spines, 1st row comprising 7 spines, 2nd row 4–5 spines (Fig. 3 a).................................. <i>.............................................................................................. A. retortinervis</i> Emeljanov Broad in dorsal view, width at least half length (Fig. 2 b). Three or more rows of subapical cells in the forewings. Hind tibia with 1 row of apical spines, comprising 7 spines (Fig. 3 b).............................................................................. <i>A. murrayfletcheri</i>, <b>sp. nov.</b></p>Published as part of <i>Moir, Melinda L. & Fletcher, Murray J., 2006, Two new species of Anabunda Emeljanov (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from Australia, pp. 39-50 in Zootaxa 1328</i> on pages 41-42, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/174150">10.5281/zenodo.174150</a&gt

Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov., a myrmecophilous planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) from Western Australia

Abstract Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov. is described from the nest of a Camponotus terebrans (Lowne) ant from Western Australia. The species shows adaptations for subterranean life, including reduction in the tegmina, wings and eyes and increased hairiness around the head, body, tegmina and legs. This is the first record of an Australian planthopper (Fulgoromorpha) cohabiting with ants and the first record of an inquiline species in the family Flatidae. Furthermore, this flatid is most likely a short-range endemic species currently restricted to Bandalup Hill

Anabunda minuta Moir & Fletcher, sp. nov.

<i>Anabunda minuta</i> Moir & Fletcher, sp. nov. <p>(Figs 2 c, 3c, 6a–e)</p> <p> <b>Material examined: Holotype:</b> 1ɗ, Hind dunes, Lennox Head, N Ballina, NSW, mercury vapour lamp, 10.iii.1981 (M. Fletcher & G.R. Brown) (ASCU: ASCTHE017470).</p> <p> <b>Paratypes:</b> 15ɗ, 7Ψ, same data as holotype (ASCU); 1ɗ, 1Ψ, same data as holotype (ANIC); 1ɗ, 1Ψ, same data as holotype (BMNH); 1ɗ, Cooran Tableland, via Gympie, 19–21.iii.1976 (I.D. Naumann) (QM); 1Ψ, Camp Milo, Cooloola, 15–18.x.1978 (G.B. Monteith) (QM); 1Ψ, 1ɗ, Freshwater Lake Area, Cooloola National Park, 14–15.iv.1978 (G.B. Monteith) (UQIC).</p> <p> <b>Other material examined: Australia — QUEENSLAND:</b> 3ɗ, Cooran Tableland, via Gympie, 19–21.iii.1976 (G.B. Monteith) (QM); 1ɗ, Brisbane,. iv.1964 (Fung Yen Leong) (UQIC); 1ɗ, N Stradbroke Island, 15.iii.1975 (M. Tigiton) (UQIC); 2ɗ, near bog, Dunwich North, Stradbroke Island, light trap, 12.v.1972 (I. Naumann) (UQIC); 2ɗ, N Stradbroke Island, 20.iv.1968 (T. Weir) (UQIC); 3ɗ, 6Ψ, Banksia dominated open forest, Camp Milo, Cooloola, at light, 3–13.iii.1970 (E. Dahms) (QM); 16ɗ, 1Ψ, 2 unknown (missing abdomen), Cooran Tableland, via Gympie, 19–21.iii.1976 (I.D. Naumann) (QM); 4ɗ, 3Ψ, Myora springs, N. Stradbroke Island, at light, 14.iii.1975 (K. Lambkin) (QM); 1Ψ, Mt Tempest, Morton Island, 20.ix.1997 (J. & A. Skevington) (UQIC); 2Ψ, Freshwater Lake Area, Cooloola National Park, 14–15.iv.1978 (G.B. Monteith) (UQIC); 1Ψ, Tewah Creek, Tin Can Bay, 17.x.1970 (T. Weir) (UQIC). <b>NEW SOUTH WALES:</b> 1 unknown (missing abdomen), same data as holotype (ASCU).</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> <i>Colour.</i> Frons, vertex, pronotum, mesonotum, legs green. Spines on legs black. Eyes black fading to brown in older specimens. Forewings green, with four small dark brown spots along medial vein, large brown distorted spot midway along clavus (Fig. 2 c), apical cells with dark brown along posterior edge. Hindwings smoky white</p> <p> <i>Body length.</i> ɗ 5.9–7.0 mm, Ψ 6.7–7.5 mm</p> <p> <i>Head.</i> Vertex projecting approximately half eye length beyond eyes, and with distinct median longitudinal carina. Frons widest at midpoint with dorsal margin approximately two-thirds width of widest point. Frontoclypeal suture obscure.</p> <p> <i>Thorax.</i> Pronotum extending slightly beyond anterior margin of eyes, hind margin angulately emarginate. Forewings with 14–16 apical cells, one row of subapical cells, and pterostigma of reticulate veins two rows deep, with 4–5 cells in 2nd row. Hind-tibial apical spines in two distinct rows, with 10 and 7 spines (Fig. 3 c).</p> <p> <i>Male genitalia.</i> Anal tube relatively uniform in width throughout (Figs. 6 d, e). Medioventral pygofer process shaped into three peaks, median longest (Fig. 6 b). Parameres with ventral surface smooth (Fig. 6 b), dorsal surface twisted and with disc-like flange lined with marginal setae (Fig. 6 a). Aedeagal appendages expanded at posteriorly, and dorsoventrally flattened (Figs 6 a, c). Dorsal lobe of phallobase greatly expanded, extending almost to apices of appendages and enveloping aedeagal appendages to meet ventral lobe (Figs 6 a, c). Ventral lobe of phallobase high, enveloping anterior half of appendages (Figs 6 a, c). Lateral lobes absent.</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> The male genitalia are very different from those of other species within the genus, especially in the length of the dorsal lobe of the phallobase, lack of lateral lobes, and the shape of the aedeagal appendages. <i>Anabunda minuta</i> appears restricted to coastal regions in far northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, within dune systems, rainforest, and wetter open forests (Fig. 1).</p> <p> <b>Etymology:</b> Named after the species’ smaller size than all other described Achilini species from Australia.</p> <p> <b>Common name:</b> Delicate green fungus bug</p>Published as part of <i>Moir, Melinda L. & Fletcher, Murray J., 2006, Two new species of Anabunda Emeljanov (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from Australia, pp. 39-50 in Zootaxa 1328</i> on pages 47-49, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/174150">10.5281/zenodo.174150</a&gt

Discovery of the pill millipede genus Epicyliosoma (Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida: Sphaerotheriidae) in Western Australia, with the description of a new species

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