Synonyms
Nat Slipinski, 2007: 117. TS: Nat vandenbergae Slipinski, 2007.
Diagnosis
Nat is easily distinguished from all genera of Australian Coccinellidae by a peculiar uneven surface of pronotum, incomplete metaventral postcoxal lines, tarsal claws with small subapical tooth, 5th abdominal ventrite in male bearing setose foveae and mid- and hind tibiae each with single apical spur.
Description
Length 5.1-5.6 mm. Head dorsally not covered by pronotum; dorsum uniformly hairy. Pronotum orange with black central spot; elytral colour blackish. Head broad, eyes finely facetted, not emarginate. Antenna 11-segmented, longer than head capsule with weak 3-segmented antennal club. Terminal maxillary palpomere strongly securiform. Pronotal disc flat and strongly uneven. Prosternal process narrow without distinct carinae. Elytral epipleuron very narrow, incomplete apically, not foveate. Tibial spurs formula 0-1-1. Abdominal postcoxal line recurved and complete; male with 5th ventrite bearing setose foveae. Male terminalia. Parameres and phallobase symmetrical; penis guide symmetrical. Parameres articulated with phallobase. Penis stout, consisting of single sclerite; basal capsule distinct and T-shaped. Apodeme of male sternum 9 very narrow and rod-like. Female terminalia. Coxities distinctly elongate, triangular; styli terminal, well developed, with apical setae; infundibulum absent; sperm duct simple, uniform in diameter. Spermatheca worm-like, without clear ramus or nodulus; spermathecal accessory gland adjacent to sperm duct.
Distribution and Biology
Few known specimens come from higher elevations in Tasmania. One specimen was collected from a foliage while the second from under the stones.
Genus References
Slipinski, S.A. 2007. Australian Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) their biology and classification. ABRS, Canberra. 286 pp.
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