Studies in Australian Tettigoniidae. The genus Phricta Redtenbacher (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Pseudophyllinae; Phrictini)

The endemic Australian genus Phricta Redtenbacher is reviewed and its subfamilial status discussed. Four species are known. The genus is confined to eastern Australian coastal rainforests from the Daintree River area of northern Queensland to the Border and McPherson Ranges of northern New South Wales. This is a continuation of the Monograph of Australian Tettigoniidae begun by the first author (see Rentz, 1985, 1993, 2001). Instead of publishing results in book form, it seems best to approach the project at the generic or tribal level. This is the first offering under this scheme. All of the protocols established in the above works are followed here. Approximately 70% of the Australian tettigoniid fauna remain to be described. It is now estimated to be in the area of 1500 species. This paper follows the protocols established in Rentz (1985). Phricta is one of a number of Australian genera of pseudophylline katydids. It is the sole example of the group "Phrictae" or tribe Phrictini in Australia. Other unrelated pseudophyllines will be dealt with in subsequent papers. Phricta is a common rainforest species and is conspicuous by its size and lichen-like camouflage colour pattern.