Classification and identification of Spinotectarchus Salmon
This genus contains only one species that is restricted to the northern North Island and some offshore islands. It is commonly found on rata and some other plants in native forest. Both males and females are known. The single recognized species is:
Spinotectarchus acornutus (Hutton 1899)
The eggs of this species are covered in short spines giving it a hairy appearance. This character is also shared with the genus Asteliaphasma although the genitalia of both genera are quite different. Phylogenetic studies show it is unrelated to the other New Zealand stick insect genera (Buckley et al. 2010b).
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Two females of Spinotectarchus acornutus from Mount Te Aroha (photo: B. Rhode)
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Female (left) and male (right) of Spinotectarchus acornutus from Little Barrier Island (photo: B. Rhode)
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An egg from Spinotectarchus acornutus (photo: B. Rhode)
