Genus Austrocarausius Brock, 2000

Only females are known. Elongate, wingless, head usually with a pair of spines between eyes; spines absent in some specimens. Antennae longer than fore legs, with long, broad basal segment. Mesonotum 5-7 times length of pronotum. Metanotum shorter than mesonotum. Whole body granulated(granules often black-tipped). Legs slender, but first segment of fore tarsi broadened. Femora variable, with or without a pair of short apical spines; up to 3 small subapical spines, but these sometimes absent. Large central lobe may be present on the slightly broadened fore tibiae. Operculum boat-shaped; end of abdominal segment subtruncate, pointed or slightly rounded at the sides. Supra-anal plate visible. Cerci short, concealed beneath anal segment.

Eggs have network of large cells on capsule. In the type species there are two large depressions, rather unusual in phasmid eggs. The conspicuous micropylar plate is depressed into the egg, hence its shape is not quite oval. A capitulum is present on a stalk. (From Brock, 2000.)

Identification Key

Distribution

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Etymology. - This Australian genus is named after its general resemblance to Carausius Stål 1875 (a genus originally named after a Roman Emperor).

References:

Brock, P.D. (2000a). Studies on Australian stick-insects of the family Heteronemiidae, subfamily Lonchodinae, including the description of a new genus. Journal of Orthoptera Research, 9, Nov. 2000: pp. 51-55