Tropidoderus childrenii and Tropidoderus rhodomus

Plates 69-70, Figure 1. The Red-shouldered Phasma, Tropidoderus rhodomus (now known as Tropidoderus rhodomus) found at Inglewood

When seen flying against the sun, the red of the under-side of the costal area of the wings overpowers the green of the distal portion of the upper surface, shining through, so as to appear of strikingly vivid scarlet vermillion, which disappears like magic when the creature alights, suddenly folds its great wings in a narrow green layer over the abdomen concealed by the costal area, the red base of which is exactly covered over and hid by the green tegmina, so that the whole agrees so nearly with the foliage of the Eucalypti on which it rests that the sharpest eye would miss it, especially if looking for the splendid scarlet flying creature of an instant before.

A rare species, occurring in the warmer northern parts of Victoria. The species figured is from Inglewood, and was procured for the National Museum from Mr. Plant, who found it.