A taxonomic revision of the Panesthiinae of the world. II.* The genera Salgana Stål Microdina Kirby and Caeparia Stål (Dictyoptera : Blattaria : Blaberidae)

Abstract

Descriptions, keys, and distribution are given for 42 species (20 new) and four subspecies (two new) of Salganea, and four species (two new) of Caeparia; the one known species of Microdina is redescribed. The shape of the anterior margin of the pronotum, and the shape of the male genital phallomere L2d are used as principal characters to erect five species-groups. Eleven species are not assigned to any species-group because of lack of males (either unknown or not present in collections) or because their L2d's are not characteristic of a particular group. A number of species, for the most part previously undescribed, have been confused with known taxa. Salganea rugulata Saussure, previously synonymized with and considered to be the adult of Salganea conica (Walker) is a valid species. Salganea conica, which was based on a nymph, is synonymized with Salganea morio (Burmeister). Salganea amboinica Brunner, previously synonymized with Salganea nigrita Stål, is considered a valid species. Panesthia incerta Brunner is placed in the genus Salganea. Salganea and Microdina are placed in the tribe Salganeini and Caeparia is assigned to the Caepariini. Virtually nothing is known about the biology of Salganea, Caeparia and Microdina, other than that some of the species of Salganea live in logs, and presumably feed on wood. * Part I, Aust. J. Zool., Suppl. Ser., 1977, No. 48.