Biosecurity threat, not present in Australia
Geisha distinctissima (Walker)
Asiatic green flatid
Caution
Many of the insects depicted on these pages are outwardly similar and you should not use photographs as the sole means of identification. These pages form part of a scientific key which will assist a trained entomologist to identify the species accurately.
Geisha distinctissima (Walker, 1858)
Common Name: Asiatic green flatid, Green broad-winged flatid, Green flatid, Asiatic flatid
Subfamily/Tribe: Flatinae/Nephesini
Distribution: Japan, China, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam.
Economic Status: A polyphagous planthopper, G. distinctissima has been recorded causing damage to fruit (e.g., oranges, mulberry, logan) and tea. Importantly, it is a vector of dwarf disease virus in oranges.
Notes: Geisha distinctissima can be easily confused with many of the species of Flatidae found in Australia, particularly species of the Siphanta roseicincta group. Geisha is not present in Australia but there are two other species of the genus that may also enter Australia and represent potential biosecurity risks.
If you suspect that you have a specimen of Geisha distinctissima, please verify it with a trained taxonomist.
[image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geisha_distinctissima_(9594745089).jpg]
.jpg){kind=link}