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Thorny Bush Katydid (Moora) (Hemisaga vepreculae)

The thorny bush katydid (Moora), Hemisaga vepreculae, is an Australian katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Its habitat and life history are poorly known, and WA information is sparse. Use precautionary survey and clearing procedures for works in the Midwest.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal planning

Activity and breeding months are not documented. The row below is a planning window only, not a statement of seasonal biology.

Species activity: Months are not recorded.

Works planning: Maintain survey and disturbance precautions throughout the project.

Season-specific timing is not established for this species.

  • Precautionary survey and works planning: Planning window only. Species activity months are not documented; maintain precautions throughout the work period.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited to the species' classification and common name. Confirm identifications with a suitably experienced invertebrate specialist.

Hemisaga vepreculae is a katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Its appearance and body size are not documented.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Features that distinguish this species from other katydids and species-specific field signs are not documented. Do not rely on the common name alone for identification.

Distribution: Known range

The known distribution is sparse and does not establish the species' full range.

The species is endemic to Australia. Atlas of Living Australia records show one record in WA at one distinct 0.1-degree location, at latitude -30.1 and longitude 115.2. This is a record location, not evidence that the species is restricted to that point.

Distribution: WA records and region

The WA Priority Fauna List flags the Midwest region. The common name includes “Moora”, but a precise locality and the boundaries of the species' range are not established.

Habitat: Habitat information

Habitat occupied by this species has not been documented.

No vegetation type, landform, soil or other habitat association is recorded. Do not assume a site is unsuitable because a particular habitat feature is absent.

Habitat: Assessment at works sites

Assess the actual vegetation and ground conditions across the proposed disturbance area. Treat any habitat interpretation for this species as uncertain unless supported by a confirmed local record or expert advice.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Feeding information for this species has not been documented.

The diet of Hemisaga vepreculae is unknown. Do not infer food plants or feeding locations from the common name or from information about other katydids.

Foraging habitat: Site observations

Record any observed feeding behaviour and the plant or substrate involved, without treating a single observation as a confirmed species-wide association.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding habitat and reproductive timing are poorly known.

Where the species lays eggs, its breeding season and other reproductive details are not documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not schedule works on the assumption that any particular season is free of breeding activity. Record any eggs or apparent breeding behaviour encountered and seek advice from an experienced invertebrate ecologist.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Shelter sites and resting behaviour are not documented for this species.

No particular plant, ground feature or other shelter type is recorded for Hemisaga vepreculae.

Sheltering habitat: On-site checks

As general invertebrate survey practice, inspect vegetation and ground features carefully where disturbance is planned. Do not label a feature as species-specific shelter without supporting evidence.

Threats: Known pressures

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

The species is poorly known and recorded from few locations, some on conservation lands.

Threats: Works-site risk

Do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped. Uncertainty about its distribution and habitat supports cautious survey and disturbance planning.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is documented. Use a documented, precautionary approach and report the limits of any survey.

Check current DBCA information, available occurrence records and the proposed disturbance footprint. A WA Atlas of Living Australia record and a Midwest regional listing do not establish presence or absence at a particular work site.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general practice for terrestrial invertebrates, search the proposed footprint and adjacent areas systematically, inspecting vegetation and ground features without damaging them. A preferred time, season, weather condition or detection technique has not been established for this species.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and reporting

Photograph and document any candidate katydids, including the precise location and observed context. Seek confirmation from a qualified invertebrate taxonomist where identification is uncertain, and record effort and conditions so that non-detection is not mistaken for absence.

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. Map and brief

Plan around uncertainty because the species' habitat and survey detectability are not documented.

Map the disturbance footprint and retain nearby areas that can be avoided. Brief the crew on the species' Priority 2 status, the limited identification information and the procedure for reporting a candidate animal.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Inspect before clearing

Arrange a suitably timed pre-clearance inspection by a competent ecologist using a documented search method. If a candidate is found, pause work in the immediate area and obtain identification advice before proceeding.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Control the work area

Use staged, controlled work and respond promptly to any candidate katydid or other unexpected invertebrate.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and proceed in a controlled sequence that allows fauna to be noticed. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to vegetation and ground features outside the work area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to finds

If a possible thorny bush katydid is found, stop work locally, protect it from further disturbance and contact the site ecologist. Do not handle or relocate it unless this is authorised and directed by a suitably qualified person.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record outcomes

Close out the works with clear records and follow-up appropriate to any observations.

Document survey effort, work areas cleared, candidate sightings, identification outcomes and any incidents. Submit confirmed records to the relevant project and fauna-recording channels in accordance with applicable requirements.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

Review whether the controls worked and update procedures if a candidate animal or relevant habitat feature was found. Keep any areas set aside from disturbance protected as planned.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the site

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements are not documented. Rehabilitation should not be represented as recreating known habitat for this katydid.

Where required, rehabilitate disturbed areas using the project-approved approach and locally appropriate vegetation. Avoid making plant or habitat claims specific to this species without supporting evidence.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Track recovery

Record rehabilitation actions and monitor the site against project objectives. If the species is confirmed during or after works, seek specialist advice on whether additional monitoring or management is warranted.

Sources