Bark Squeaker Atrapsalta corticina (species complex)

Bark Squeaker (species complex) Atrapsalta corticina (Ewart, 1989)

Male

Sometimes referred to as Pauropsalta corticinus. Species number (TNS): 403, 408, 410, 411, 422, 426. Fore wing length: 16–20 mm. Distribution and seasonality: From Dudgeon Point in central Queensland south through the eastern half of Queensland to Bega in New South Wales and from Denniliquin, near Mount Beauty and extending west to Mildura in northern Victoria. Adults occur from September to April. Notable localities: Gladstone, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Stanthorpe, Casino, Kempsey, Camden, Nyngan, Deniliquin, Mildura (D. Emery), Mount Beauty (Simon lab). Habitat: Populations can be found in open forest and woodland, particularly in riverine areas, plateaus and lower slopes. Adults occur mostly on eucalypts, including Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and Gum- topped Box (E. moluccana). This species complex contains: Bark Squeaker (TNS: 411). From Dudgeon Point in central Queensland south to the Queensland/ New South Wales border. Border Ranges Bark Squeaker (TNS: 426). Known from near Killarney in south-east Queensland and south through Legume, Woodenbong, the Border Ranges National Park and the Casino district to Kempsey and further to the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales. Deniliquin Bark Squeaker (TNS:403). From Deniliquin in southern New South Wales south to near Yarrawonga in Victoria. Inland Bark Squeaker (TNS: 408). Restricted to inland south-east Queensland from near Moonie east to Thane and south to the Queensland/ New South Wales border. Montane Bark Squeaker (TNS: 410). Temperate areas from Carnarvon National Park (Qld) south-east to Gibraltar Range (NSW). Southern Bark Squeaker (TNS:422). A wide-ranging species in southeastern Australia from Mildura north to Nyngan, east to the western Sydney area and south to Mount Beauty. Calling song and behaviour: A series of short chirps followed by a brief buzz. The song can be emitted rapidly (Deniliquin Bark Squeaker), at a variable pace (Southern Bark Squeaker), slowly and evenly (Montane Bark Squeaker), slowly and unevenly (Bark Squeaker), slowly with few buzz phrases (Inland Bark Squeaker) or slowly with regular changes in speed (Border Ranges Bark Squeaker). Adults sit on the main trunk and upper branches of eucalypts. Similar species: Small Bark Squeaker (species complex), Gurulmundi Squeaker.