Riek, E. F. (Edgar Frederick)

University of Queensland eSpace

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY 
Volume IV, (New Series) 1952 Number 2. 
FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY 
SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE, QUEENSLAND 
By 
E. F. RIEK 
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND PRESS 
BRISBANE 
DATE OF PUBLICATION-: 
11th FEBRUARY, 1952 
FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE 17 
FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY 
SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE, QUEENSLAND 
BY E. F. RIEK. 
(Plate I and Text-Figures 1-4). 
Few Tertiary insects have been described from Australia so it is interesting 
to record the occurrence of a further. fossiliferous locality for such forms. The 
locality is separated only by three or four miles from that at Redbank Plains, from 
which two fonns have been described by Tillyard (1916, 1923). 
This insect material was collected from one of the day-pits at Dinmore, situated 
between Brisbane and Ipswich. The specimens occurred in a clay shale in association 
with an extremely rich flora. The shales lying above and below this band, which 
is one to two feet wide, are even softer and contain only a few poorly preserved plant 
fossils. This clay shale series unconformably overlies beds of Mesozoic age. 
Very few specimens have been obtained ;from the locality, but two of them 
are beautifully preserved and are described 'in this paper. The others are too 
fragmentary to warrant description but, as the fossiliferous band is submerged now 
at the bottom of the pit and additional specimens cannot be obtained, they are 
mentioned at the end of the paper. One specimen, a complete forewing, represents 
a primitive type of termite showing strong affinities to the archaic Mastotermes. 
The differences are sufficiently marked to wai.-rant the erection of a new genus 
Blattotermes. The other specimen is an almost complete forewing of a tettigoniid 
grasshopper, considered to be from a female specimen as it lacks stridulatory 
modification. 
SYSTEMATICS. 
Order lSOPTERA. 
Family MASTOTERMITIDAE Silvestri 1909. 
In this family there is only a single living species, Mastotermes darwiniensis­
Froggatt from north Australia. This insect is of large size compared with that of 
most other termites. The venation is complete with the veins greatly branched 
and there is a complex network of irregular veinlets (archedictyon).  
In the forewing Sc is  reduced, simple or branched close to the base and extends 
only a shert distance along the. wing margin. R �as aU interior se:ies of st:ongly oblique pectinate branches which are normally simple. The radial field IS not 
continued round the apex of the wing. M lies more or less parallel to R as a simple· 
vein to at least the basal third of the wing. CuA (Cu1) is parallel to M and gives 
off a series of pectinate branches on its lower side. CuP (Cu2) is generally a simple 
vein. 
Five genera are placed in this family-Mastotermes Froggatt 1R961 Miotermes 
von Rosen 1913, Pliotermes Pongricz 1917, Diatermes Martynov 1929, and 
Blattotermes gen. nov. Most of the recorded sPecies are referred to either M astotermes 
o'r Mioterm�s. 
lS FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE 
Genus BLATTOTERMES gen. nov. 
Genotype Blattotermes neoxem�s sp. nov. 
Forewing m1ly.-Characters as given for the family, with the following additions: 
Archedictyon strongly developed. similar to that of Maslotermes darwiniensis, 
but more obvious in the median and radial fields than in that species. Sc reduced, 
� - .  CuA - ---- ---·  ··-
Fig. l-Blattoterme!i ntMt,na gen. et sp. nov. Venation o f  the reverse impression o f  a left 
forewing X 4. From the Eocene (?) of Dinmore, Queensland. 
Fig. !-B�oUrmes wh�kri (Collins) .X 4, (after Collins). From the Lower Eocene of Tennessee. Wmg drawn w1th apex: to ngbt to confonn with the other figures. Fig. 3--Mastottrmts .darwi'!itlnsis Fro�gatt . . Right forewing X 4. Recent of North Australia. For companson wtth tbe fossiJ spec1es. 
FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE 19 
simple, extending for only a ·  very short distance along the margin of the wing. 
This vein may possibly be RL> in which case Sc is either absent or at least not 
preserved.· 
M lies more or less parallel to R as a simple vein for the greater part of its 
length, forking only in the apical third of the wing. These branches of M do not 
form a pectinate series but occur somewhat irregularly. The main stem of CuA 
lies above the mid-longitudinal line of the wing. The basad branches of this series 
show secondary branching, particularly the two most basal branches. CuP not 
preserved. The clavus, which has not been preserved, must have been quite reduced. 
The wing was apparently shed as in the recent Mastotermes. 
The genus differs from M. darwiniensis in the much stronger development of 
Cu with a corresponding reduction of M. The branching of M is reduced and 
restricted to the apical third in Blattotermes, whereas in ,Mastotermes it is more 
extensive. Sc is branched and R forks before . the basal suture to the wing in 
Mastotermes. 
In addition to the genotype, from the Australian Lower Tertiary (Eocene ?). 
M astotermes wheeleri Collins from the Eocene of Tennessee is considered congeneric. 
Mastotermes anglicus von Rosen from the Middle Oligocene of the Isle of Wight 
·shows the strong development of CuA as in Blattotermes, but the branching of M, 
though reduced, occurs at the middle of the vein and the radial field is very different. 
Blattotermes neoxenus sp. nov. 
(Plate I, figs. 1-3; Text-fig. 1). 
This species is represented by a reverse impression of a left forewing complete 
except for the clavus, and by the obverse impression of which only the apical half 
-is preserved. Total length of wing 24 mm., greatest breadth 6.0 mm. 
In additiOn to the generic characters may be added: M with five branches, 
reaching the wing margin.at its apex. R nine-branched, although this is probably 
a variable character within the species as well as may be the precise number of 
branches of M. CuA fanning a pectinate series of ten branches, the more basad 
branches showing secondary branching generally of a pectinate nature, though the 
second branch forks dichotomously twice close to its origin from the main stem 
.of CuA, with the upper two branches dividing again before reaching the wing margin. 
Although there is no evidence of a suture at the base of the wing, the break in the 
fossil occurs at the point where one would have expected such a suture had it been 
present. This would account for the absence of CuP and the clavus. 
Holotype.-F. 10431 a and counterpart F. 10431 b, University of Queensland, 
Department of Geology Collection. 
fype Locality.-Dinmore, Q., in clay shales of the Eocene (?) Redbank Plains 
Series (Portion 230, Parish of Goodna}. 
Affinities of BLA TTOTERMES to other Mastotermitidae. 
Mention has been made of the similarity of M astotermes anglicus von Rosen 
in some characters to Blattotermes. Mastotermes bournemouthensis von Rosen, also 
known from a forewing, is too poorly preserved to indicate its affinities within the 
Mastotennitidae. In the forewing of Mastotermes vetustus Sc is absent and R 
.arises as a simple vein from the base of the wing. M forks close to the base and 
20 FOSSIL I�SECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE 
CuA occupies a relatively small part of the wing. This species is considered distinct­
from M astotermes as the radial field is so markedly different. The remaining species­
referred to M astotermes are described either from hind wings or else lack the distinctive 
characters of the basal portion and the costal margin_. 
Miotermes shows no evidence of Sc or an anterior branch to the stem of R 
before the basal suture, in some ways recalling Mastotermes vetustus. M branches 
close to the base of the wing in this genus. Pliotermes is known only from the 
hindwing. Diatermes is a very distinct genus in which M has fused with R in 
the basal third of the wing. Its affinity with this family is doubtful. 
A comparison of the venation of Blattotermes neoxenus with the tracheation 
of the penultimate nymphal instar of the living Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt 
as figured by Tillyard (1931) shows the close similarity of the two. Sc is weakly 
developed in both but extends further and is forked in M astotermes. In both the 
fossil and the nymphal tracheation there are eight or nine branches to the pectinate 
series of R. M branches more or less dichotomously only in its apical third, though 
it shows fewer branches in Blattotermes. M also lies somewhat closer to the costal 
margin in Blattotermes. CuA is similar in both forms. Unfortunately the clavus 
has not been preserved in the fossil, but from the shape of the wing, 'particularly 
its narrowing towards the base, this structure must have been quite small, though 
possibly relatively larger than in adult Mastotermes. The last nymphal instar of 
Mastotermes darwiniensis approaches more closely to the imaginal venation and 
differs more from that of Blattotermes. 
Order ORTHOPTERA SALTATORIA . 
Family TETTIGONIIDAE. 
Subfamily TETTIGOIDINAE nov. 
Allied to the Recent Conocephalinae but differentiated from them by the 
greater development of branching to Rs and R1• The origins of M and Cu are­
apparently very similar in the two subfamilies. Cu arises from the base or from 
very close to the base of the wing in the female. It approaches the Phci.sgonurinae 
but has a strongly branched Rv different basal origin of Cu and unexpanded costal 
area. 
Genus TETTIGOIDES gen. nov. 
Genotype Tettigoides pectinata sp. nov. 
Insects of moderate size, with the forewing long and narrow, narrowing some­
what . towards the_ ape�, which is eyenly rounded. Sc long, close to R1, both reachmg the rnargm a httle before the apex. Rs arises a little beyond the middle 
of the wing and converges towards R1 distally. It consists of a pectinately arranged 
series of several (five) obliquely descending, subparallel branches. Between R 
and Rs a series of slightly oblique, transverse veinlets arranged at rather wid� 
intervals, and enclosing a series of rhomboidal areas filled with a meshwork of fine­
v�inlets. �1 with four anterior branches, only the two apical ones reaching the­
wmg margin. 
. �· w�ich arises fro� the base • of the wing . and runs parallel to R, gives off from 1ts dtstal half a senes of several (five) strongly oblique, evenly spaced, sinuous 
FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORL: 21 
branches forming a pectinate series (of six branches) similar to those developed 
on Rs. The basal portion of Cu and the anal veins are not preserved, but Cu does 
not fuse with M unless it is very close to the base of the wing. 
Fig. 4-Temgoides pectinata. X 3! diameters. 
Tettigoides pectinata sp. nov. 
(Plate I, fig. 4; Text-fig. 4). 
There is a single almost complete forewing of the female of this Species. Length 
of wing 32 mm., greatest width 4 ·mm. 
C a short vein arising from the base of the wing and reaching the costal margin 
at one-fourth the length of ,the wing from its base. R1 with four short branches 
anteriorly, the first two meeting Sc, the third and fourth reaching the wing margin. 
Rs forming a pectinate series of five branches. This may be a variable character 
in the same way that M may vary. The crossveins between Sc and R and between 
R and M are strongly developed and almost transverse while those between M and 
Cu are more oblique. The veinlets in the .costal area fonn an irregular oblique 
series between which is developed a finer archedictyon. 
Holotype.-The almost complete forewing F. 10640, Queensland University, 
Department of Geology Collection. The type is considered to be the wing 
from a female specimen as it lacks stridulatory modification. 
Type Locality.-Dinmore, Q., 'in clay shales of the Eocene -(?) Redbank Plains 
Series (Portion 230, Parish of Goodna). 
Relationships of the Fossil. 
The only other late Mesozoic or Tertiary Orthopteron described from Queensland 
is the wing fragment of Austrodictya corbouldi Tillyard preserved in a crystal of 
selenite of a copper lode. Only the distal third of this wing is preserved so that 
its affinity is .not clear. 
Tettigoides could have evolved from the Triassic and Jurassic Locustopsidae 
by reduction in the number of anterior branches to R1 and an increase in the 
branching of M anrl its development into a pectinate series. The Recent 
Conocephalinae show a reduction in the branching of R1 and Rs as compared 
with Tettigoides. 
Further Fossil Insects. 
In addition to the above described specimens there are a few fragmentary 
remains too indefinite for specific description. There is an almost complete hindwing 
of a cicada differing little from recent forms, also a small fragment of the forewing 
of an anisopterous Odonata, and finally a very small fragment doubtfully referreQ, 
to. as Orthopteron, 
22 FOSSIL INSECTS FROM THE TERTIARY SEDIMENTS AT DINMORE 
REFERENCES. 
CoLLINS, R. L., l92t5. " Lower Eocene Termite from Tennessee."Amer. J. Sci., 9 (ts) : 406-{.10. 
HANDLIRSCH, A., 1906. " Die Fossilen Insekten und die Phylogenie der rezentea Formen, ete." 
RoSEN, KuRT VON, 1912. " Die fossilen Tenniten, elne kurze Zusammenfa.ssung der his jeh:t 
bekannten Funde." Trans. Congr. Entom. Oxford 2 ; 318 :335. 
TrLLYARD, R. J., 1916. " Mesozoic and Tertiary Insects of Queensland and New South Wales." 
Qld. Geol. Surv. Pub!. No. 253 : 1-65. 
----- Hl22a.. " Mesowic Insects of Queensland, Part 2. No. 9, Ortboptera." 
Proc .• Linn. Soc. N.S.W. f7 : 448-4.70. 
----- I922b. "An Insect Wing in a Crystal of Selenite (Order Orthoptera.)." 
Rec. Geol. Surv. N.S.W. 10 : 20ti-207. 
---Fu-lg-o-,o-ide��� �t�· ��p���
i
�?a ��ilG���sc�n���!� ��:��;� ��Q��!�: 
35 (2) : 16-20. 
-----::- 1931. " The Wing Venation of the Order Isoptera. I. Introduction and the Fainily Mastotermitidae." Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 56 ; 371-390. 
----- 1937. " Kansas Pennian Insects. Part 20. · The Cockroaches or Order 
Blattaria, Part II." Amer. J. Sci., 34 : 249-276. ' 
PLATE I 
2 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. 
Figs. 1·3-Biattoterme.s neoxenus gen. et sp. nov. Holotype. Left forewing. 
Fig. 1-Reve� impression X 3 diameters. 
F!g. 2---0bverse impression (J?OUnterpart of Fig. I) X 3 diameters. 
F�g. 3-Same as fig. 2. X 8 d1ameters. 
Fig. 4.--Tetti:oide.s putinala gen. et sp. nov. Holotype. X 41; diameters. 


Fossil insects from the tertiary sediments at Dinmore, Queensland

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Fossil insects from the tertiary sediments at Dinmore, Queensland

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