Genus Falcophantis Fletcher, 1988

Falcophantis acuminatus Fletcher, type species of Falcophantis.

© Copyright Murray Fletcher, Orange Agricultural Institute.

Museums

Regional Maps

• Falcophantis Fletcher, M.J. 1988. The Australian genera of Flatidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). General and Applied Entomology 20: 9-32 [20].

  Type species:

   Falcophantis acuminatus Fletcher, 1988 by original designation.

Introduction

This endemic genus includes two species with unusual sickle-shaped tegmina. The two species are known from widely disjunct localities across northern Australia from Barrow Island, off Western Australia to the Gulf country of northern Queensland. A single specimen is also known from Arden Vale, north of Port Augusta in South Australia. It is presumed that the species are widespread in drier parts of the country. Both species have been vacuum collected from Spinifex grass.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Burt Plain (BRT), Carnarvon (CAR), Daly Basin (DAB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gulf Plains (GUP), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Diagnosis

Head produced forwards as blunt cone. Frons convex, with median longitudinal carina. Vertex flattish, with short, indistinct, marginal carinae indicating that vertex extends forwards to form dorsum of cone. Pronotum and mesonotum flat medially with faint indications of a median longitudinal carina. Lateral carinae of mesonotum indicated on anterior half only. Tegmen broad and convex to end of abdomen, thence produced posteriorly to acute point. Sutural margin long, clavus reaching well beyond apex of abdomen. Costal membrane wide with evenly spaced, more or less parallel crossveins, wider than costal cell. Subapical lines absent. Cu simple. Hind tibia with one spine on external margin. Body and tegmina covered with mealy white powder (Fletcher 1988).

ID Keys

Fletcher, M.J. (2005). Illustrated key to the genera of the family Flatidae found in Australia (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/flatid/flat00.htm

Diagnosis References

Fletcher, M.J. 1988. The Australian genera of Flatidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). General and Applied Entomology 20: 9-32 [20]

History of changes