Undescribed WA Perginae sp.
Workbook
There are some iNaturalist observations of a Perginae species from WA which are different to any of the described species.
Could they just be a strongly melanistic form of Pergagrapta glabra? This species shows considerable variation in the degree of melanisation of different body parts. Benson (1939) erected a new species P. malaisei based on differences in colour of antennae and legs, but subsequently (Benson, 1958) synonymised the two species.
Compare the first two iNaturalist observations of P. glabra in the gallery below with the third image showing the normal form. Structures such as antennae, scutellum, mesoscutum and legs which are normally reddish-orange (chestnut) or a mix of chestnut and black are all black.
The specimens below in iNaturalist observations from WA have all black antennae, mesoscutum and legs like the black forms of P. glabra above, while the colour of their scutellum and legs is the same as the normal form of P. glabra.
iNaturalist #154784849 from Neergabby, observed Apr 14, 2023. iNaturalist name donna391
iNaturalist #63762095 from Denmark, observed Feb 4, 2020. iNaturalist name pimelea
iNaturalist #93589380 from Kojonup, observed ?. iNaturalist name pbogan
iNaturalist #111274049 from Armadale, observed Apr 13, 2022. iNaturalist name benandlydia
This is a workbook page … a part of our website where we record the observations and references used in making species identifications. The notes will not necessarily be complete. They are a record for our own use, but we are happy to share this information with others.