Zoology.'] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. ^Insects. 



This most beautiful Phasma is readily distinguished from the 

 other two large species found near Melbourne, the Tropidoderus 

 rhodomus and T. iodomus^ figured in our Plates 69-70, by the 

 beautiful rosy-pink colour of the membrane of the lower wings, 

 with the briglit rosy-carmine veins, and the same colour occupying 

 as much of the basal portion of the costal area as can be covered 

 over by the tegmina when at rest. It is also easily distinguished 

 by the generic characters which separate the Podacanthi from 

 the Tropidoderi, particularly the great length of the anal styles, 

 the unkeeled tuberculated mesothorax, the three ocelli on the top 

 of the head, and the undilated femora. 



M. Serville, in his " Histoire Naturelle des Insectes, Orthopteres," 

 p. 230, says that the antennae of the females are longer than the 

 thorax ; l)ut in our specimens they but slightly exceed the meta- 

 thorax and mesothorax taken together, without the prothorax. 

 If the basal joint be counted, there are 27 joints in the antennae, 

 instead of 26, as given by Professor Westwood. 



The number of spines on the hind legs varies, but is usually 

 about a dozen. 



I have not seen the males as yet, nor can I account for their 

 apparent rarity. 



Specimens are in the collection from the Richmond Paddock 

 and other localities near Melbourne. 



Explanation op Figures. 



Plate 80. — Fig. 1, female, natural size, in flying position. Fig. la, ditto, antennae, head 

 with the three ocelli, prothorax, and mesothorax, magnified. Fig. lb, ditto, side view of leg. 

 Fig. Ic, ditto, side view of hind joints of ahdomen, to show ovipositor. 



(N.B. — The young, with imperfectly developed wings, is figured in the resting position on 

 Plate 79, fig. 3, and in it the ocelli are not visible.) 



Frederick McCoy. 



By Authority : John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourne. 



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