Novatilla

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Using this Key

Novatilla Distant, 1888

Photo © Emma Betts, Australian Museum

Type species:

Novatilla fasciata Distant, 1888 by subsequent designation.

Number of Australian species:

Two.

Extralimital Distribution:

Australian Region - Papua New Guinea.

Australian Distribution:

Tropical and subtropical regions; Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Biology:

Unknown.

Host(s):

Unknown.

Diagnosis:

Colour

Numerous shades of brown or brightly coloured. Dorsum with longitudinal bands and coloured patches in white, black, red orange, medium or dark brown. Punctations generally dark brown to black. Antennae medium brown to black and concolourous. Legs medium brown, some with green, orange, red or dark brown patches or bands.

Texture

Moderately to densely and uniformly punctate.

Vestiture

Glabrous.

Structure

Body - Elongate-ovoid, dorsally convex. Length 4.8 mm - 7.8 mm; width 2.4 mm - 5.4 mm.

Head - Subtriangular, moderately dorsoventrally orientated, as long or longer than pronotum; jugae equal in length to clypeus, apically pointed, laterally carinate; antennifer processes absent; five antennal segments, first antennal segment shorter than distance between the eyes, inserted below mid-height but above ventral margin of the eyes; bucculae elongate (posteriorly beyond antennifers); vertex cross-sectional shape convex; labium extending to fourth abdominal sterna or beyond, first labial segment longer than bucculae; eyes not stylate, directed laterally.

Pronotum - Calli present and well developed; anterior lobe surface excavate; pronotal collar present; humeral angles angulate; lateral margins carinate; anterolateral margins simple and straight to slightly sinuate; posterolateral margins straight to sinuate; posterior margin straight.

Scutellum - Triangular, apex broadly rounded; lateral calli present or absent; medial calli absent.

Thoracic sterna - Prosternum flat; mesosternum with a low raised keel; metasternum flat.

External efferent system - Evaporative scent gland greatly reduced; peritreme elongate, apically pointed.

Hemelytra - Macropterous, as long or longer than abdomen; membrane veins linear and mostly subparallel.

Legs - Fore tibiae sulcate.

Abdomen - Connexiva visible dorsally; laterotergites armed with tiny spines.