Armstrongium - an unusual new sylvan genus of Lentulidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

A new grasshopper genus, Armstrongium gen. nov., in the family Lentulidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Caelifera), is designated for the inclusion of two rather unusual and related species, namely A. viridipes spec. nov. as well as A. pondoense spec. nov., which were collected from separate indigenous forest habitats in the southern half of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. In addition to heightened sexual dimorphism, due to strikingly dissimilar head morphology, certain other diagnostic features and structural adaptations in their make-up appear new to Lentulidae. The presence of extraordinary ancillary lobes on the epiphallus are without parallel in this family, while observable modifications to the male cerci, paraprocts and epiphallic lophi suggest that these elements act in combination and function as additional coupling organs during mating. Key characters in the anatomy and morphology in both sexes are described and fully illustrated, while the principal diagnostic characters for differentiating species are also tabled. Pertinent information on biogeography, phenology, habitat associations and climate, as well as detailed descriptions of respective habitat sites, are also provided.