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Phryneta leprosa
Classification
Diagnostic Features of Larvae
- Mature larva. Length up to 55 mm; maximum breadth (at prothorax) 14 mm. Head moderately depressed, elongate, subparallel-sided, widest before middle (maximum head-width 7.5 mm.), slightly constricted at middle; frontal sutures distinct for entire length; antennal foramen open behind; mouthframe strongly and broadly sclerotized. Frons with at least anterior half ferruginous, smooth, with numerous scattered setae; six epistomal setae present. One pair of ocelli present; lens round, scarcely convex; pigmented spot indistinct. Hypostoma convex, ferruginous, with front margin broadly pitchy; setiferous pores absent; sutures pitchy, slightly incurved. Gula region with a pale median cleavage line. Antenna 2-segmented; segment 2 slightly elongate and bearing a hyaline process. Maxilla with palpal segment 3 acutely conical, slightly shorter than segment 2. Mentum distinct from submentum. Labrum semicircular. Clypeus with a few minute pale setae near each lateral margin. Prothorax depressed, with pronotum glabrous, testaceous and covered with a network of ferruginous spiculate ridges. Abdomen with each dorsal ampulla with an anterior transverse, curved furrow and two pairs of lateral furrows; median longitudinal furrow distinct; tubercles absent, microscopically pubescent; each ventral ampulla with only one pair of lateral furrows. Tergite 9 with a very stout, curved spine, the base of which is concealed beneath the posterior margin; segment 10 with dorsum dome-shaped, rather strongly sclerotized, ferruginous and very finely longitudinally striate; anus a simple transverse cleft. Epipleurum protuberant on all segments. Pleural tubercle without sclerotized pits. Legs absent. Spiracles with peritreme exceedingly thick and broadly oval.
Pupa. Length up to 34 mm; maximum breadth 11 mm. Head with vertex entirely visible from above, deeply excavate between bases of antennae and with a pair of setae at apex of inner face of each antennal tubercle; front densely setose on inner half of each eye; clypeus bearing two groups of four to six setae; labrum triangular with numerous marginal setae. Antennae extending as far as abdominal segment 3, where they are strongly curved ventrally, each forming a single coil and terminating near apex of middle femur. Mandibles robust, each with a pair of fine setae near middle of outer face. Pronotum almost smooth, with sides bearing a pair of stout conical tubercles; disc with a few scattered fine setae. Mesonotum smooth, the scutellum very strongly protuberant and rather densely setose. Metanotum smooth, with an oblique row of fine setae which meet at base of scutellar groove, where they are much more numerous. Elytra and wings extending as far as abdominal segment 5. Abdomen with tergites 1-7 each with a transverse band of very fine, dense, decumbent setae posteriorly; sublateral gin-traps present on segments 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6. Tergite 8 short, transverse, sparsely setose. Segment 9 short, produced dorsally into a long, stout, subvertical spine-like process which is slightly inclined anteriorly and strongly sclerotized apically; below this process it is densely setose and ventrally it is deeply divided and similarly setose. Sternites glabrous. Pleura moderately protuberant, each with a pair of minute setae. Legs with a transverse row of short fine setae near apex of each femur; hind femora extending to abdominal segment 5; tibiae more or less at right angles to longitudinal axis of body. Functional spiracles present on abdominal segments 1-5, but vestigial pairs present on segments 6-8; peritreme oval, thick and very strongly raised above general level of cuticle. Adapted from Duffy (1957).
Biology and Economic Importance
- Biology unknown for members of this tribe. Species of this tribe are potentially invasive outside their native range.
Selected References to Larvae Specimens
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