Redescription of Hybusa occidentalis (Westwood) (Orthoptera: Proscopiidae: Hybusinae): new images, description of male genitalia, pictorial key of Hybusa species and morphological comparison of Hybusinae with Xeniinae and Proscopiinae.

ABSTRACT

Proscopiidae (Orthoptera Caelifera) are grasshoppers found in Central and South America, often mistaken for true stick insects (Phasmatodea) due to their stick-like appearance. The family comprises three subfamilies Hybusinae, Proscopiinae, and Xeniinae, with Hybusinae as the smallest subfamily, housing the genus Hybusa Erichson, which contains four species endemic to Chile. Considering that the most recent comprehensive taxonomic assessment of this genus was conducted approximately three decades ago, herein we redescribe the type species of Hybusa, H. occidentalis (Westwood), based on males and females. The study includes new images of H. occidentalis body and male genitalia, along with a comprehensive pictorial key for all Hybusa species using available type material. Additionally, a morphological comparison between Hybusa and other Proscopiidae taxa is presented.