File:Chasmoptera superba male (23895605290).jpg

These Chasmoptera were confirmed as C. superba. (T Houston, WAM). These species had not been seen for 100 years. Periodic surveys in the Central Wheatbelt/Cunderdin area proved fruitless. A chance sighting of these at Lake Deborah, Bullfinch in 31 Oct 2014 gave us insufficient evidence for an ID. Jean and I returned to the Bullfinch site 31 Oct 2015 and found them quite sufficient for a collection of both sexes. These appeared to have an association with a flowering shrub, Darwinia sp. Karonie that grew on sand in the vicinity of the salt lake. A few days later in early Nov 2015 we found them with Darwinia sp. Karonie on sand alongside the saline Mortlock River East, Cunderdin, WA. A sample of these are now lodged with WAM. Some observations:

During October and November 2015 we observed these over a number of days. Superficially both males and females look similar. The males can be identified by the claspers at the end of the abdomen. Body length c.15 mm. Hind wing length varied from 34-43 mm.

Usually only seen as individuals - occasionally in pairs. They generally flew low either quickly or slowly between the Darwinia shrubs that provided their food and shelter. This movement was not easily described but somewhat like a fluttering, loping, wave action with the hind wings pumping up and down. However, they were quite capable of speedy evasive maneuvers when disturbed.

After landing in a perched position the fore wings were held together, upright at right angles to the body. The hind wings continued to move up and down in an involuntary movement. In this state they were more readily seen with the naked eye otherwise they were most difficult to observe in the natural environment. When flying quickly their movement appeared like a feint blur – a figment of imagination. In the perched position the individuals appeared quite docile. Taking a close up photo didn’t seem to worry them much.

At Bullfinch we observed four females in succession apparently laying eggs in the sand under the shade of the same Darwinia shrub. Movement from the hind wings appeared to help the abdomen penetrate the sand. After laying the eggs the abdomen was withdrawn and brushed laterally across this depression as a way of covering over the site.

Copulation had only been observed between a mating pair of Chasmoptera hutti at Talbot Road Reserve, Stratton, Perth. Abdomens were clasped end to end with the male on top.