Robshelfordia sp. (genus)

1 A Shelford cockroach at Conder, ACT

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Identification history

Robshelfordia sp. (genus)	7 Jul 2021	MichaelMulvaney
Robshelfordia sp. (genus)	27 Sep 2020	michaelb
Ectobiidae sp. (family)	25 Sep 2020	michaelb

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User's notes

Conder, ACT

6 comments

michaelb wrote:

25 Sep 2020

There is a very healthy population of these in my backyard and I've reported them previously. It would be easy to provide a specimen if that would help refine the ID to better than family.

Illilanga wrote:

25 Sep 2020

I wonder is it is a female Robshelfordia circumducta? You have three other sightings of those and it seems to fit the profile. Rentz Cockroaches of Aust (2014) & Rentz Grasshopper Country only show males. See https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:b46021b9-1f7f-4a9e-8bb2-9402ae2d9156#gallery

michaelb wrote:

26 Sep 2020

My other sightings of Ectobiidae (family) are: 3379452 & 3371666. I'm not sure about it being Robshelfordia circumducta, but it does look like Robshelfordia sp. on the address you gave. I have a sighting of Robshelfordia circumducta too, mating, both have male & female have wings: 3370667

Illilanga wrote:

26 Sep 2020

Page 240 of Rentz (2014) notes that the male and female of Robshelfordia are dissimilar, which is why I considered it. "Males are fully winged and the females tegmina reduced to small pads and lacking hind wings." Yet on page 241 there's a photo of a Robshelfordia hartmani adult male with no wings. I think it is safe to say we need to know more! Certainly worth collecting them (both winged and not) to find out. Hopefully Kim can help you there. I think Robshelfordia genus is good place to start. :)

michaelb wrote:

1 Apr 2021

Hi Sandra
I have collected what I think are male & female of this species, with & without wings. They have been congregating under shelter in my garden. Will send separate email.

michaelb wrote:

27 Jul 2021

The specimens I collected are reported in sightings 4386852 (male) & 4386853 (female).

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