Genus Extatosoma Gray, 1833

“Large; body broad and spinose in female, slenderer and less spinose in male. The male is winged, female with rudimentarywings. Head prognathous, dorsal apex conical and spinose. Three ocelli distinct in male, lacking in female. Antennae simple, of moderate length (much longer in male), pubescent. Mesonotum dilated in female, not twice length of pronotum. Forewings shortened. In male, oval, as long as metanotum; in female, broader, but little over half length of metathorax. Hindwings of male large, reaching to around apex of abdomen. In female shrivelled and rudimentary (shorter than forewings). Abdominal segments greatly expanded laterally, particularly 5th-7th segments. In female, paired median lamellae present on abdominal segments. Legs moderately long to short; femora and tibiae spinose, trigonate, broadly dilated, particularly in female. Mid and hind tibiae with apical hooked spine. Female with large boat-shaped operculum extending well beyond end of abdomen; valves long, filamentous, apically curved. Subgenital plate in male boat-shaped. End of abdomen a closed tube. The large eggs are very conspicuous. Capsule oval, with broad, slightly raised micropylar plate, extending full length of dorsal surface.” (Brock, 2002)

“Body large and spinose, the male winged, female brachypterous; certain middle segments of the abdomen of both sexes with lateral tergal lobes, these much more expanded in female than in male. Head prognathous, dorsal apex conical and spinose; ocelli distinct in male, lacking or evanescent in female; antennae simple moderately pubescent. Mesothorax dilated posteriorly, less than twice prothoracic length. Tegmina of both sexes abbreviate, those of female somewhat broader than those of male; wings of male extending about to or beyond apex of abdomen, of female abbreviate, sometimes shriveled and rudimentary. Legs moderately long to short; femora and tibiae spinose, trigonate, broadly dilated, more markedly so in female; ventral surface of middle and hind tibiae without apical triangular area, bearing apical hooked spine; basitarsus somewhat shorter than remaining tarsal segments. Ovipositor sheath of female boat-shaped and extending posteriorly beyond apex of abdomen; ovipositor valves long, filamentous, apically curved.” (Gurney, 1947)

Taxonomy

The genus consists of two species.
  • Extatosoma tiaratum
    There is only one species on the Australian mainland, with two recognised subspecies.
  • Extatosoma popa
    This species does does not occur in Australia.

Identification Key

Distribution

The distribution map is a hot-linked index. By clicking on a highlighted area of the map, you may obtain a species list for that area, within this genus.

Extralimital distribution: New Guinea, see Kirby, W.F. (1904). A Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. 1. Orthoptera, Euplexoptera, Cursoria, et Gressoria (Forficulidae, Hemimeridae, Blattidae, Mantidae, Phasmidae). London: Longmans & Co. x 501 pp. [381].

Brock, P.D. (2002). Studies on the Australasian stick-insect genus Extatosoma Gray (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Tropoderinae: Extatosomatini), Journal of Orthoptera Research, Dec. 2001, 10(2): 303-313

References:

Synonyms:


Copyright © 2000-2003 Peter Miller
This page was last changed 20-Sep-2006.
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