Plate 058 · on a rock among tussock grass IdentificationFive marks on the plate
- 1Stout, dark body, not twig-thin.
- 2Yellow-orange spots that give the species its name.
- 3Rounded head with long, thin antennae.
- 4Defensive spray from the prothorax.
- 5Sturdy legs, with no visible wings.
Easily confused with ChinchemolleAgathemera luteolaPaler and yellowish. Lives further south, in the hills of Córdoba, San Luis and La Rioja. 058 / 100 · INVERTEBRATES · AGATHEMERIDAENOT EVALUATED Dark chinchemolle
Agathemera maculafulgens
Chinchemolle oscuro · Andean stick insect
The only stick insect recorded for Tucumán does not live in the forest but high above it, in the upland grasslands and the puna. It is stout, dark and flightless. When threatened it sprays a strong-smelling liquid.
- Family
- Agathemeridae
- Altitude
- c. 2,700 – 4,400 m
- Flight
- flightless
- Defence
- strong-smelling spray
- High-altitude stick insect
- Flightless
- Chemical defence
- Andean
Altitude rangeAbove the forest
Records in NW Argentina In NW Argentina it is recorded in the Prepuna and Puna of Jujuy and Salta, up to c. 4,400 m. It is cited for Tucumán, but with no published localities; it is expected in the summit grasslands.
FoodAn upland plant-eater
- Shrub leaveslike other chinchemolles
- Herbs and grassesof the upland grassland
- Tender shootsin the rainy season
All stick insects eat plants. The diet of this species has not been studied.
BehaviourSlow but well defended
- Chemical defence. Glands on the thorax spray a strong-smelling liquid. Hence the name chinchemolle.
- Walks, never flies. It moves slowly among rocks and grass tussocks.
- Seed-like eggs. Like other stick insects, the female lays hard eggs that look like seeds.
Where to look in Tucumán- Cumbres Calchaquíes
- PN Aconquija (pastizales altos)