Description
''Drymaplaneta'' can be distinguished from other Methanini by the greatly reduced, lobiform Tegmen, tegmina, with hind wings absent, and males having maxillary palps with the third and fourth segments swollen. As for the individual species: *''D. lobipennis'' and ''D. shelfordi'' are uniformly dark. *''D. heydeniana'' is light yellowish brown, darkening apically, with translucent yellow margins on thorax and abdomen. * The remaining three species (''D. communis'', ''D. semivitta'' and ''D. variegata'') are very similar to each other. For example, ''D. semivitta'' is mostly dark brown/black with white/cream stripes along the sides of the head and thorax. * The hind tibiae of males are conspicuously expanded and flattened in ''D. semivitta'' and ''D. variegata'', but not in any of the other species. * ''D. variegata'' is lighter in colour than ''D. semivitta'', darkening apically. The possibility of Synonym (taxonomy), synonymy of these two nominal species has been suggested.Biodiversity and distribution
There are six species of ''Drymaplaneta'', all endemic to Australia. Two of these species, ''D. heydeniana'' and ''D. semivitta'', have been introduced to New Zealand.Ecology
Species of ''Drymaplaneta'' mainly occur in outdoor habitats such as under logs, loose bark, ground covers, leaf litter, decks, plant pots, and inside electrical and irrigation boxes. They sometimes enter buildings but are considered harmless to humans. They feed on organic matter, often that which is decaying.References
* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q5309725 Cockroach genera