Species Achilus flammeus Kirby, 1818

Achilus flammeus Kirby, adult

© Copyright Murray Fletcher, Orange Agricultural Institute.

Museums

Regional Maps

• Achilus flammeus Kirby, W. 1818. XXVIII. A description of several new species of insects collected in New Holland by Robert Brown, Esq. F.R.S. Lib. Linn. Soc. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 12: 454-482 pls XXI-XXIII [475].

  Type data:

   Status unknown.

Introduction

Although relatively common, little is known of the biology of this species. Adults are distinctive in their red colour but the nymphs are drab brown as with other Achilidae. They have been found living amongst fungal hyphae under logs and are thought to be fungivores. They have also been reported from termite mounds. The species has been introduced to New Zealand where it is known from the Auckland area of the North Island.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NSW, Qld, SA, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Bright red or pinkish red, occasionally with pale blue spots which are patches of a powdery substance. This is the only achilid which is entirely red.

ID Keys

Moir, M.L. and Fletcher, M.J. (2005). Illustrated key to the genera of the tribe Achilini found in Australia (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Achilidae)http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/achilidae/achili00.htm

Common Name References

Larivière, M.-C., Fletcher, M.J. & Larochelle, A. 2010. Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera): catalogue. Fauna of New Zealand 63: 1-228 [84] (Red Fingernail Bug)

History of changes