Biosecurity threat, not present in Australia
Ricania speculum (Walker)
Asian planthopper
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.
Ricania speculum (Walker, 1851)
Common Name: Asian planthopper, Black planthopper
Distribution: Ricania speculum is widespread in Asia being recorded from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and India. First found in Italy in 2009.
Economic Status: Highly polyphagous, Ricania speculum can feed on over 60 plant species in 33 families. Hosts of economic concern include mango, apple, citrus, tea, coffee, soybean, cotton, millet and cocoa.
Notes: Australia has 11 species currently classified in the genus Ricania (see Fletcher 2008) although revision of the genus is needed to determine whether the Australian species genuinely belong in the genus. They are distributed in Queensland and the Northern Territory with a single species on Christmas Island. Species determination can only be assured with male genitalia dissection.
Image Gernot Kunz (used with permission)