Undescribed WA Perginae sp.
Workbook
There are some iNaturalist observations, shown below, of a Perginae species from WA which are different to any of the described species in that subfamily.
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
These WA Perginae look superficially like a melanistic form of Pergagrapta glabra (see gallery below)
However James Peake has pointed out that the morphology of the scutum and scutellum of this unknown species don’t support that possibility.
“This mystery WA species has a Scutellum that is bright orange, smooth, convex and with very short underdeveloped lobes, that don't quite extend past the rear medial point. The rear edge and lobes are a contrasting black. The Mesoscutum is very subtly ridged and densely punctured.
With all the P.glabra obs the Scutellum have very well developed lobes. It also seems slightly concave along the medial line. Plus it’s a more uniform colour. The P.glabra Mesoscutum has more defined ridging between the lateral and middle lobes".”
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.