• Plectoderini Fennah, R.G. 1950. A generic revision of the Achilidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) 1(1): 1-170 [47].

  Type genus:

   Plectroderes Spinola, 1839.

Introduction

This is by far the most species-rich and most commonly collected tribe of Australian Achilidae. Almost certainly, the number of described taxa in the tribe represents only a small proportion of the Australian fauna which are mainly dull brown or grey, often with whitish markings. A revision of the Australian Plectoderini is urgently needed.

Diagnosis

Vertex at least two-thirds as wide as pronotum, anterior margin convex or angulately produced at middle, tegmina shallowly rounded over dorsum and with membranous areas overlapping when folded, apical margin strongly convex, venation regular, Sc with anterior branch short, sometimes recurved, usually six subapical and eight or nine apical areoles; post-tibiae unispinose. (Fennah 1950)

re: Fore wing venation "All the Australian genera are very similar, differing principally in the relative proportions of the apical cells." (Kirkaldy 1906: 418)

The single hind tibial spine placed about one third distance from the base of the tibia is characteristic (Fletcher 2004) although this may be missing or obsolescent.

ID Keys

Fletcher, M.J. (2004). Illustrated key to the tribes of the family Achilidae found in Australia (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/achilidae/achilid00.htm

Diagnosis References

Fennah, R.G. 1950. A generic revision of the Achilidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) 1(1): 1-170 [47]

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [418]

History of changes

• Argeleusa Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423].

  Type species:

   Argeleusa kurandae Kirkaldy, 1906 by monotypy.

Introduction

A monotypic genus which will require examination of Kirkaldy's (1906) type material to determine its identity.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Diagnosis

Allied to Francesca but with different head-form. Vertex longer than wide, distinctly produced in front of the eyes, rounded anteriorly. Frons elongate, lateral margins sinuate, concavely rounded basally, convexly rounded and widened apically; base narrow, obtuse-angulately emarginate. Tegminal veins, costal cell etc. granulate, veins thick and prominent. Tibiae obscurely spined near the base. (Kirkaldy 1906)

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 417; Fennah 1950: 47

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423]

History of changes

• Argeleusa kurandae Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BPBM sex, quantity unknown (coll.: viii.1904), Kuranda, Queensland.

Introduction

The identity of this species from Kuranda, N. Queensland, requires examination of the Kirkaldy (1906) type material. It is small and brown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Pale olive brown, paler beneath. Vertex with four longitudinal blackish brown lines, frons and clypeus minutely mottled with brownish. Pronotum with a short blackish-brown line on each side of median keel and five spots of same color from thence to lateral margins. Scutellum between lateral keels minutely mottled with brownish, with four small, more or less distinctly ocellated spots, two anteriorly and two posteriorly. Tegmina hyaline, pale cinereous, veins pale brownish and white variegated, spotted with brownish especially on clavus, costal cell and apical parts. Anterior and intermediate legs banded with pale brown. Abdomen more or less dark brownish. Length: 5.5 mill. (Kirkaldy 1906)

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423]

History of changes

• Aristyllis Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [418].

  Type species:

   Aristyllis aristyllis Kirkaldy, 1906 by original designation.

Introduction

A small genus of three species all recorded only from the type specimens collected in the wet tropics of North Queensland. Recognition of the genus is dependent on examining Kirkaldy's (1906) type material. Kirkaldy (1906) differentiates the species using colour.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Diagnosis

Vertex slightly declivous, more or less confused with the frons; the lateral margins fork, about their middle, (as seen dorsally), the inner keels meeting at an angle on the anterior margin (as seen dorsally), carinate medianly, posterior margin emarginate angulately. Frons obsolescently carinate medianly, the apical half excavated horseshoe-shaped. Clypeus more strongly carinate medianly, carinate (as also frons) laterally. A white opaque band across face. Eyes large, each about as wide as vertex. Ocelli distinct. Pronotum short, wider than head, tricarinate. Scutellum tricarinate. Tegminal venation not granulate. Legs spineless, or with one spine. (Kirkaldy 1906)

In his key to genera of Achilidae, Kirkaldy (1906) indicates that the frons is strongly impressed transversely, not or very obsolescently carinate and with a transverse white band.

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 417; Fennah 1950: 47

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [418]

General References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [418]

History of changes

• Aristyllis adippe Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BPBM ♂, quantity unknown (coll.: viii.1904; possible holotype by monotypy), Cairns, Queensland.

Introduction

Kirkaldy (1906) gives measurement of a male so this species should be identifiable using the male genitalia.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Pale ferruginous, base and middle of frons blackish brown, banded with white as in the preceding species. Sterna and legs pale. Abdomen more or less marked with black. Tegmina pale yellowish hyaline, veins mostly darker, costal cell dark apically. Structure of head similar to the type. Legs not spinose. Length (male) 5 1/8 mill. (Kirkaldy 1906)

Kirkaldy (1906) provides a key to the three species of Aristyllis and A. adippe is differentiated by the pale ferrugineous scutellum and the slight infuscation of the costal cell.

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 419

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420]

General References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420]

History of changes

• Aristyllis aristyllis Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [419].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BPBM sex, quantity unknown (coll.: viii.1904), Kuranda, Queensland; BPBM sex, quantity unknown (coll.: viii.1904), Cairns, Queensland.

Introduction

As with other species in this genus, the identity of this species will require an examination of the original type material. It is unknown whether a male syntype is available. Kirkaldy (1906) gives two localities for the type series so there are at least two specimens.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Head gradually shading from brownish ferruginous at base of vertex (and also on apical half of clypeus) to black near apex of frons. Eyes and scutellum dark ferruginous. Anterior half of pronotum blackish, posterior half whitish. Sterna, rostrum and legs mostly testaceous, anterior femora black, the base and a band near the apex, pale. Abdomen mostly black. Tegmina subhyaline brownish-yellow, a tiny white speck about middle of commissure, the basal margin, a spot at base of costal cell, apical half of costal cell and a spot about the middle of the clavus, blackish, with a metallic-blue glint; some of the veins sanguinescent. Rostrum reaching just beyond posterior coxae. Apical angles of vertical disk acute. Tibiae spineless. Length: 4.5 mill to apex of abdomen; 5.75-6.5 to apex of tegmina. (Kirkaldy 1906)

Kirkaldy (1906) provides a key to species of Aristyllis and differentiates this species by the dark ferruginous scutellum and the presence of a dark bluish black spot near the apex of the costal cell.

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 419

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [419]

General References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [419]

History of changes

• Aristyllis omphale Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [419].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BPBM sex unknown (coll.: vii.1904; possible holotype by monotypy), Nelson (=Gordonvale), Queensland
  Comment: This syntype may be a holotype by monotypy.

Introduction

As with other species of the genus, examination of the original type material (which may be a single specimen) is required to establish its identity.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Differs from the typical species by being shorter and broader and differently coloured; vertex shorter.
Vertex, pronotum anteriorly in the middle, apex of clavus, pale ferruginous. Frons, clypeus, pronotum anterolaterally, anterior and posterior third of scutellum, sterna, abdomen, etc black or blackish. Middle third of scutellum bright ferruginous, posterior margin of pronotum testaceous. Tegmina hyaline, pale yellowish brown, basal margin narrowly, a spot near middle of costal area, and a stripe across the clavus (nearer apex than base), opaque white; apex of costal cell more or less sanguineous, a large metallic bluish-black spot just basal of this. Anterior legs and intermediate and posterior femora more or less black, anterior femora not pallidly banded posteriorly, intermediate and posterior tibiae and tarsi widely pallid, at least apically. Frons banded as in the type. Vertex shorter than in the type, the apical angle of the disk rectangular; rostrum reaching to apex of posterior coxae. Length: 4 mill to apex of abdomen; 5.5 to apex of tegmina.

In his key to the species of Aristyllis Kirkaldy (1906) differentiates this species by the scutellum being anteriorly black and by the white markings on the fore wing.

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 419

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [419]

History of changes

• Benella Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420].

  Type species:

   Benella aliena Kirkaldy, 1906 by monotypy.

Introduction

This genus must be represented unrecognised in collections because it was described from the well collected Sydney region. A revision of the Plectoderini will provide better diagnoses for all the genera.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

Diagnosis

"Characters of Aristyllis, but frons not excavated." (Kirkaldy 1906)

Kirkaldy's (1906) key to genera provides: "Tegmina smooth, not granulate; veins thin and prominent, not granulate. Face with two transverse white bands".

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 417; Fennah 1950: 47

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420]

History of changes

• Benella aliena Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BPBM sex, quantity unknown (coll.: i.1905; possibly holotype by monotypy), Sydney, New South Wales.

Introduction

A small brownish achilid from the Sydney region although the presence of two transverse white bands on the face should aid its identification.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Nymph: fungivore.

Diagnosis

Pale ferrugineous, face with two transverse white bands. Pronotum testaceous; tegmina hyaline, costal cell more or less infuscate; veins more or less pale sanguineous. Legs etc, pale, anterior and intermediate tibiae annulate with dark brown. Abdomen dark brownish black, posterior margin of each segment narrowly pale. Posterior tibiae with a spine. Length: 3 mill to apex of abdomen; 4.75 to apex of tegmina. (Kirkaldy 1906)

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [420]

History of changes

• Cythna Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423].

  Type species:

   Cythna laon Kirkaldy, 1906 by monotypy.

Introduction

Another genus requiring an examination of original type material to establish its identity. Only a single species has been described.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Diagnosis

Differs from the last [Argeleusa] by the head being scarcely if at all produced before the eyes. The lateral keels of the vertex fork just before their middle, the outer forks diverging a trifle, the inner rounding gradually and meeting the median keel at the apical margin. Frons nearly as broad apically as long, narrowing a little towards the base. Tegmina granulate, apical third more or less declivous. (Kirkaldy 1906)

In his key to genera of Achilidae, Kirkaldy (1906) uses the following features: Tegmina granulate on the costal cell and sparsely elsewhere, veins stout and prominent, granulate; frons not banded; head not or very slightly produced in front of the eyes; vertex distinctly angulately emarginate.

ID Keys

Kirkaldy 1906: 417; Fennah 1950: 47

Diagnosis References

Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [423]

History of changes