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Grey Vernal Katydid (Southwest) (Kawanaphila pachomai)

Kawanaphila pachomai is an Australian katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a DBCA Priority 1 species, a priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is known from few locations, none on conservation lands, and is not nationally listed. Its habitat and ecology are poorly documented. The species is flagged for the Swan and South West regions, so development works in those regions should allow for its possible presence and use cautious survey and clearing practices.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 1.

Seasonal planning

No species-specific activity or breeding months are known. Use the periods below only as general planning windows, not as a claim about when the katydid is active.

Known timing: No species-specific seasonal information is known.

No seasonal inference can be made for this species.

  • Survey and clearing planning: Planning window only. No species-specific activity period is known; arrange checks close to proposed clearing and seek specialist advice.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited. Confirm any suspected record with a suitably experienced invertebrate specialist.

Kawanaphila pachomai is an insect in the katydid family Tettigoniidae. Its colour, body shape, diagnostic features and size have not been documented. The common name alone is not sufficient for field identification.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Similar species and distinguishing characters are not documented. Species-specific calls, eggs, nymphs and other field signs are also unknown.

  • Photograph the animal in place where possible, including clear views of diagnostic features, and record the date and exact site location.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to Australia. The WA priority listing flags the Swan and South West regions, but no record localities are named.

Kawanaphila pachomai is endemic to Australia. No named Western Australian locality or public WA coordinates are available.

Distribution: Western Australian regions

The DBCA priority list flags the Swan and South West regions. The species is Priority 1, is known from few locations, and has no known locations on conservation lands. These regional flags do not identify a site-level occurrence.

  • Treat suitable terrestrial areas in flagged regions as requiring consideration during project planning, rather than assuming the species is present or absent.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

The species is terrestrial, but more specific habitat associations are unknown.

Vegetation types, soils, landforms and other habitat features have not been documented.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not infer habitat suitability from the common name or from records of other Kawanaphila species. During site assessment, document terrestrial vegetation and ground conditions without treating any particular feature as a confirmed species requirement.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Foraging habitat and diet have not been documented.

No food plants, prey or other diet information is known for this species.

Foraging habitat: Precaution on site

Where a suspected individual is found, record the plants and immediate site conditions around it. Treat these observations as site data, not as evidence of a known food plant or foraging preference.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding sites, reproductive behaviour and breeding season are poorly known.

Eggs, egg-laying sites, nymphs, clutch size and breeding months have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that a site is outside the breeding period. If individuals or suspected immature stages are found, record their locations and avoid disturbing the immediate area until an ecologist has assessed the find.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Shelter sites and resting behaviour are unknown.

Where Kawanaphila pachomai shelters, rests or overwinters has not been documented.

Sheltering habitat: Search approach

As general practice for terrestrial katydids, check vegetation and ground-level cover carefully during a targeted survey. Do not treat any cover type as a confirmed shelter preference for this species.

Threats: Documented threats

Specific threats to this species are unknown. Its poorly known status warrants a precautionary approach where clearing is proposed.

No species-specific threats have been documented. The DBCA listing identifies the species as Priority 1, known from few locations and none on conservation lands.

Threats: Works-related risk

Clearing or machinery could harm terrestrial invertebrates if they are present. This is a general operational risk, not a documented species-specific threat.

  • Minimise the disturbed footprint and avoid unnecessary clearing of terrestrial vegetation and ground cover.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is known. Use a targeted, documented search and obtain specialist advice when a possible record is encountered.

Check current DBCA information and project records for the Swan and South West regions. No named localities or public WA coordinates are available, so do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped.

Survey methodology: 2. Field search and records

As general practice for katydids, search terrestrial vegetation and ground-level cover methodically, and consider repeat checks under suitable field conditions. The best time of day, season, weather and detection method for this species are unknown.

  • Record survey effort, conditions, search locations and any observations. Photograph suspected animals and seek expert identification.
  • Do not handle or collect a suspected individual unless authorised and necessary under the relevant project and regulatory procedures.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Plan the footprint

Because the species is poorly known and species-specific habitat information is limited, plan surveys and clearing conservatively.

Map proposed clearing and retain terrestrial vegetation and ground cover outside the approved footprint where practicable. No particular vegetation type is known to be required by this species.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the crew

Brief spotter catchers and clearing crews on the possibility of a small terrestrial invertebrate, the limits of current identification information and the stop-work response for a suspected find.

  • Agree who will assess a find, how it will be documented and who can authorise work to resume.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Control clearing

Use staged, controlled work and respond promptly to any suspected individual. These are precautionary measures, not species-specific behaviour guidance.

Keep machinery within marked limits and clear progressively so the area being disturbed remains controlled. Avoid unnecessary vehicle movements over retained terrestrial vegetation and ground cover.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to a find

Pause work in the immediate area if a suspected Kawanaphila pachomai is found. Keep people and machinery clear while a competent ecologist or invertebrate specialist assesses and documents it.

  • Do not assume the animal can be safely relocated or that it has left the site. Resume work only after the project’s authorised environmental lead has agreed on the response.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record outcomes

Close out records and check that disturbance remained within approved limits. No species-specific post-clearing requirements are known.

Document survey effort, suspected or confirmed observations, responses to finds, and any departures from the approved footprint. Refer uncertain identifications to a specialist.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

Review whether the work controls were followed and whether further site checks or reporting are required under project approvals and current DBCA guidance.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements are known. Restore terrestrial site conditions without assuming a particular habitat recipe for the species.

Rehabilitate temporary work areas in line with project requirements, using suitable locally appropriate methods and minimising further disturbance to retained areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Record rehabilitation methods and outcomes. If the species is confirmed at or near the site, seek specialist advice before changing management or undertaking further works.

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