|Grylloblatta campodeiformis athapaska |
Likely as G. c. campodeiformis: cold damp locations near mountain tree lines and glacial bogs.
These insects can be distinguished from other Grylloblattids by their relatively short and nearly square pronotum. Body pubescence is pale and inconspicuous especially in comparison to G. c. nahanni. In addition, G. c. athapaska has lateral margins converging only slightly; distinctively less than in G. c. nahanni. Cerci are shorter in males and females, and antennae have 29 segments in both sexes, which distinguish it from G. scudderi and G. occidentalis. Females have short ovipositors with ventral valves curving substantially near the tip. Cerci in females are relatively short compared to other subspecies, and have 6 cercal segments, equal in length to dorsal blades of ovipositor.
In addition, these insects can be identified by absolute and proportional measurements of legs as described in detail by Kamp (1979). For specimens from known localities, the best method of distinguishing species is geographically, because no subspecies are sympatric. See genus Grylloblatta for general characteristics.
This subspecies appears to be more heat tolerant than others in G. c. campodeiformis; can survive 16°C easily if humidity is high. Cannibalism is less frequently observed. Of those collected, adults were found most commonly far from the talus slopes where vegetation begins among scattered boulders. Separated from G. c. campodeiformis by 720 km further north by Peace River plateau. Individuals probably take several years to develop and reproduce, as G. campodeiformis.
Rare and isolated populations, but probably not immediately threatened.
Likely similar to G. c. campodeiformis: Adults and juveniles are omnivorous. The main component of the adult diet is wingless crane fly (Chionea obtusa) adults, as well as collembola, microcoryphia, oribatid mites, adult diptera, aphids, and staphylinids. Juveniles also mainly consume other arthropods. These insects have also been observed eating moss and decaying vegetation.
Known only in northern British Columbia, on Mt. St. Paul, Stone Mountain Provincial Park.
Holotype (male) and Allotype (female) collected in Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia August 26, 1962.
|species page author||Taylor, C.||2004 |