Family Flatidae - Flatid planthoppers

Subfamily FLATOIDINAE Melichar

Genus Jamella Kirkaldy

Jamella Kirkaldy 1906: 460

Jamella australiae Kirkaldy, the pandanus planthopper

Jamella australiae Kirkaldy 1906: 460 

Jamella sojora Medler

Jamella sojora Medler 1990: 1001

Genus Uxantis Stål

Atracis (Uxantis Stål 1870: 775)
Uxantis Stål 1870, Scudder 1882: 333

Note: This genus was synonymised with Atracis Stål by Medler (1988a) who created the new name Staliana for species previously placed in Atracis. Medler's action was based on Melichar's (1902) placement of the type species of Atracis, Flata pyralis (Guérin-Méneville), into Uxantis. Unfortunately, Medler (1988a) used the phrase "pyralis sensu Melichar" which implied that he believed Melichar's (1902) recognition of pyralis differed from that of previous authors. If this is the case, then the type species of Atracis is not the same species as the one Melichar (1902) transferred to Uxantis. In any case, Melichar (1923) returned Flata pyralis to Atracis so Medler's (1988a) synonymy, based on Melichar (1902) is invalid and unnecessary and Staliana should be synonymised with Atracis Stål and Uxantis restored. [update: 18.ii.2011, 23.ii.2011]

Uxantis notata Distant

Uxantis notata Distant 1910a: 317

Subfamily FLATINAE Melichar

Tribe Nephesini Distant

Genus Aflata Melichar

Aflata Melichar 1902: 7

Aflata stali Melichar

Aflata stali Melichar 1902: 8

Note: This species has been collected from Callitris glaucophylla near Roxby Downs, Sth Aust. [update: 21.xi.2019]

Genus Anzora Medler

Anzora Medler 1986a: 206

Anzora unicolor (Walker), the grey planthopper

Massila unicolor Walker 1862: 315 
Sephena cinerea Kirkaldy 1906: 457, syn. by Medler 1986a: 206 
Anzora unicolor (Walker), Medler 1986a: 206

Genus Burnix Medler

Burnix Medler 1988: 85

Note: In a handwritten note distributed with reprints of some of his later papers, Medler (pers. comm. 2001) indicated that Burnix is a junior synonym of Hypsiphanta Jacobi. Consequently, Burnix is not included in the key since all specimens will key to Hypsiphanta. Unfortunately, Medler did not publish this synonymy so Burnix remains valid in the literature.

Burnix insignis (Lallemand)

Euphanta insignis Lallemand 1935: 663 
Burnix insignis (Lallemand), Medler 1988: 87

Note: The genus Burnix was created by Medler (1988: 85) for this species but, in a handwritten note distributed with reprints of some of his later papers, Medler (pers. comm. 2001) indicated that B. insignis is a synonym of Hypsiphanta minax Jacobi. Unfortunately, Medler did not publish this synonymy so this name remains valid in the literature.

Genus Colgar Kirkaldy

Atella Stål 1866: 238, preoccupied by Atella Doubleday 1847 (Lepidoptera)
Colgar Kirkaldy 1900: 242, nom. nov. for Atella Stål

Colgar chlorospilum (Walker)

Nephesa chlorospila Walker 1870: 173
Nephesa monoleuca Walker 1870: 177, syn. by Melichar 1902: 61
Cromna quadripunctata Walker 1870: 182, syn. by Melichar 1902: 61
Phyllyphanta birarae Kirkaldy 1905: 335, syn. by Medler 1989: 10
Euphanta pokiana Distant 1910b: 324, syn. by Medler 1989: 10
Colgar chlorospilum (Walker), Kirkaldy 1913: 20 [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Colgar peracutum (Walker), the citrus planthopper

Cromna peracuta Walker 1858a: 120
Phyllyphanta hyalinata Stål 1859: 282, synonymised by Melichar 1902:
Colgar peracutum (Walker), Kirkaldy 1900: 242 
Colgar roseipennis Distant 1910a: 307, synonymised by Medler 1990a: 179
Colgar rufostigmatum Distant 1910a: 308, synonymised by Medler 1990a: 180.

Note: P. hyalinata was listed by Melichar (1902: 62) as a synonym of this species and credited the name to Signoret "in litt." Stål (1859) had provided a very basic description as a comparison with P. cereris and therefore validated the name. Metcalf (1957) listed Signoret's reference to the name as a nomen nudum. Medler (1986b) designated a lectotype to confirm the name as a junior synonym of C. peracutum. [update: 11.iii.2011]

Colgar surrectum (Melichar)

Cromna surrecta Melichar 1902: 59 
Cromna notata Melichar 1902: 60, syn. by Medler 2001: 18 
Colgar surrectus (Melichar), Kirkaldy 1913: 20

Note: This species is recorded from Dauan Island (=Cornwallis Island) which is just off the southern coastline of New Guinea. [update: 11.iii.2011]

Colgar tricolor Distant

Colgar tricolor Distant 1910a: 309 

Genus Colgaroides Distant

Colgaroides Distant 1910b: 324

Colgaroides acuminata (Walker), the mango planthopper

Poeciloptera acuminata Walker 1851: 460 
Colgaroides acuminata (Walker), Distant 1910b: 325 
Cromna frontalis Melichar 1902: 59, syn. by Distant 1910b: 325 
Colgaroides circumcincta Jacobi 1928: 21, syn. by Medler 1986b: 326

Colgaroides viridis Lallemand

Colgaroides viridis Lallemand 1935: 665 

Genus Dworena Medler

Dworena Medler 1986a: 207

Dworena hyacintha (Kirkaldy)

Sephena hyacintha Kirkaldy 1906: 457 
Dworena hyacintha (Kirkaldy), Medler 1986a: 207 
Sephena argus Kirkaldy 1906: 457, syn. by Medler 1986a: 207

Dworena repleta (Walker) [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Poeciloptera repleta Walker 1858a: 334
Paratella modesta Melichar 1902: 122, syn. by Medler 2001: 67
Paratella fumaria Melichar 1902: 122, syn. by Medler 1985a: 114 (syn. with P. modesta)
Paratella fusconigra Melichar 1902: 121, syn. by Medler 1986a: 207
Sephena nigrifrons Schmidt 1905: 378, syn by Medler 1992: 181
Sephena rubida Kirkaldy 1906: 457, syn. by Medler 1986a: 207
Dworena repleta (Walker), Medler 2001: 67

Genus Euphanta Melichar

Euphanta Melichar 1902: 38
Delostenopium Jacobi 1928: 21, synonymised by Medler 1986b: 332

Euphanta acuminata Melichar

Euphanta acuminata Melichar 1902: 39 
Euphanta rubromarginata Schmidt 1904: 360, syn. by Medler 1996: 147
Delostenopium rubripes Jacobi 1928: 21, syn. by Fletcher 1988: 18

[update: 11.iii.2011] 

Euphanta luridicosta Schmidt

Euphanta luridicosta Schmidt 1904: 359

Euphanta munda (Walker)

Poeciloptera munda Walker 1851: 455
Poeciloptera unicolor Walker 1851: 465, syn. by Melichar 1902: 40
Cromna nasalis Walker 1858a: 120, syn. by Stål 1862a: 489 
Euphanta munda (Walker), Melichar 1902: 40

Note: Poeciloptera unicolor Walker was synonymised with Euphanta munda by Melichar (1902) but Medler (1990a) incorrectly credited it to Metcalf (1957). Medler (1990a) rejected the synonymy and transferred the species to Siphanta Stål. However, Walker (1851) described the vertex as being "arched" which excludes the species from Siphanta which has the vertex characteristically flat. Melichar's (1902) synonymy of P. unicolor with E. munda is therefore followed here.

Euphanta ruficeps Melichar

Euphanta ruficeps Melichar 1902: 39

Genus Euryphantia Kirkaldy

Euryphantia Kirkaldy 1906: 456
Thanatochlamys Kirkaldy 1907: 101, synonymised by Fletcher 1980: 21

Euryphantia cinerascens Kirkaldy

Euryphantia cinerascens Kirkaldy 1906: 456

Euryphantia tristis (Kirkaldy)

Thanatochlamys tristis Kirkaldy 1907: 101 
Euryphantia tristis (Kirkaldy), Fletcher 1980: 24 
Euphanta obscura Jacobi 1928: 20, syn. by Medler 1986b: 331 

[Update: image added 14.ii.2013]

Genus Geraldtonia Distant

Geraldtonia Distant 1910a: 311

Geraldtonia protea Distant

Geraldtonia protea Distant 1910a: 311 
Geraldtonia uniformis Distant 1910a: 313, syn. by Fletcher 1982: 269

Genus Humgar Medler

Humgar Medler 2001: 28

Humgar insulum Medler [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Humgar insulum Medler 2001: 28 

Genus Hypsiphanta Jacobi

Hypsiphanta Jacobi 1928: 19

Note: See comment above under Burnix Medler.

Hypsiphanta minax Jacobi

Hypsiphanta minax Jacobi 1928: 20 

Note: Medler (1986b: 330) synonymised this species with Euphanta munda (Walker) but this was rejected by Fletcher (1988) who regarded the presence of a clear subapical line of crossveins in the tegmen of H. minax, and the significance of this feature in the Flatidae generally, to warrant retention of Hypsiphanta as a valid genus. The relationship between Hypsiphanta and Euphanta needs to be clarified. [update: 25.ii.2011]

To make the situation more complex, Medler (2001: 27) included the species as "Euryphantia minax Jacobi" in the synonymy list of Euryphantia tristis (Kirkaldy) without comment. [update: 28.ii.2011]

Genus Karrama Medler

Karrama Medler 1988: 88

Karrama punctata (Lallemand)

Colgar laraticum Kirkaldy 1913: 20 var. punctatum Lallemand 1935: 664 
Karrama punctata (Lallemand), Medler 1988: 88

Genus Lesabes Medler

Lesabes Medler 1988: 89

Lesabes handschini (Lallemand)

Neomelicharia handschini Lallemand 1935: 666 
Lesabes handschini (Lallemand), Medler 1988: 90

Note: This species has been recorded on the rainforest tree Helicia australasica (Fam. Proteaceae) at Robin Falls, near Adelaide River, NT in August 2010. (Peter McQuillan, pers. comm. 2010) [update: 3.ix.2010]

Genus Paradaksha Distant

Paradaksha Distant 1910b: 327

Paradaksha meeki Distant

Paradaksha meeki Distant 1910b: 327 
Neomelicharia furtiva, sensu Kirkaldy 1906: 452, syn. by Medler 2001: 81

Note: Neodaksha furtiva, from India, was recorded from Australia by Kirkaldy (1906) but Medler (2001) has indicated that this was a misidentification and that Kirkaldy's species is actually Paradaksha meeki Distant.

Genus Sephena Melichar

Sephena Melichar 1902: 123

Sephena ausena Medler [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Sephena ausena Medler 2001: 46

Sephena conspersa Melichar [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Sephena conspersa Melichar 1902: 125
Sephena punctulosa Distant 1911: 283, syn. by Medler 1989: 35

Note: Medler (1989: 36) provides an extensive list of host plants.

Sephena quintena Medler [update: added 26.iv.2001]

Sephena quintena Medler 2001: 57

Tribe Phantiini Melichar

Genus Budginmaya Fletcher & Moir

Budginmaya Fletcher & Moir 2009: 36

Budginmaya eulae Fletcher and Moir  [update: added 1.ii.2009]

Budginmaya eulae Fletcher and Moir 2009: 38

Genus Falcophantis Fletcher

Falcophantis Fletcher 1988: 20

Falcophantis acuminatus Fletcher

Falcophantis acuminatus Fletcher 1988: 20 

Falcophantis westcotti Fletcher

Falcophantis westcotti Fletcher 1988: 21 

Genus Mimophantia Matsumura

Mimophantia Matsumura 1900: 212
Microflata Melichar 1902: 9, synonymised by Jacobi 1915: 168

Mimophantia stictica (Melichar)

Microflata stictica Melichar 1902: 10
Mimophantia stictica (Melichar), Medler 1986b: 334 
Mimophantia australensis Kirkaldy 1906: 458, syn. by Medler 1987: 119

Genus Phantiopsis Melichar

Phantiopsis Melichar 1905: 475
Aphanophantia Kirkaldy 1906: 458, synonymised by 1907: 101

Note: Melichar (1914b) appears to have incorrectly regarded this genus as a synonym of Mimophantia Matsumura because he numbered each taxon he treated but did not number Phantiopsis australiaca, simply listing it under "65. Mimophantia maritima". Melichar (1914b) stated that he had 8 specimens from Semerang (Indonesia: Java) and also reported the species from Australia and Japan. However, this statement applies to M. maritima and not P. australiaca. Metcalf (1957) missed the proposed synonymy and listed P. australiaca from New South Wales, Java and Japan, the latter two being incorrect interpretations of Melichar (1914b). [update: 29.iii.2011]

Phantiopsis australiaca Melichar

Phantiopsis australiaca Melichar 1905: 475 
Aphanophantia cuscuticida Kirkaldy 1906: 459, syn. by Kirkaldy 1907: 101

Tribe Selizini Melichar

Genus Austrodascalia Fletcher

Austrodascalia Fletcher 1988: 18

Austrodascalia evansorum Fletcher

Austrodascalia evansorum Fletcher 1988: 18

Genus Barsac Fletcher

Barsac Fletcher 1988: 21

Barsac cinerascens Fletcher

Barsac cinerascens Fletcher 1988: 22

Barsac cocoa Fletcher

Barsac cocoa Fletcher 1988: 24

Known host: Eucalyptus gamophylla (Myrtaceae) (Fletcher 1988) [update: added 31.i.2002]

Barsac excurva Fletcher

Barsac excurva Fletcher 1988: 23

Barsac minima Fletcher

Barsac minima Fletcher 1988: 22

Genus Cryptobarsac Fletcher & Moir

Cryptobarsac Fletcher & Moir 2002: 221

Cryptobarsac rubriops Fletcher and Moir [update: added 4.xi.2002]

Cryptobarsac rubriops Fletcher and Moir 2002: 222

Genus Dascalina Melichar

Dascalina Melichar 1902: 154

Dascalina aegrota Melichar

Dascalina aegrota Melichar 1902: 155

Dascalina alternans Melichar

Dascalina alternans Melichar 1902: 155

Dascalina contorta Melichar

Dascalina contorta Melichar 1902: 156 

Dascalina vivida Jacobi

Dascalina vivida Jacobi 1928: 22 

Genus Massila Walker

Massila Walker 1862: 314

Note: This is one of the few Australian genera in which every known species has a male primary type specimen. Medler (1986b, 1987, 1990a) has provided images of the male genitalia of all described species. [update: 1.iv.2011]

Massila ptyeloides (Walker)

Dechitus ptyeloides Walker 1862: 311 
Massila ptyeloides (Walker), Distant 1910a: 317 

[update: image added 6.iv.2011]

Massila sicca Walker

Massila sicca Walker 1862: 315 
Massila sidnica Kirkaldy 1906: 460, syn. by Medler 1987: 123

Massila viridicana Jacobi

Massila viridicana Jacobi 1928: 22 

Massila walkeri Kirkaldy

Massila walkeri Kirkaldy 1906: 459 

Note: This species has been collected on the mangrove Rhizophora stylosa Griff. (Rhizophoraceae). [update: 1.iv.2011]
[update: image added 6.iv.2011]

Tribe Siphantini Melichar

Genus Parasiphanta Fletcher

Parasiphanta Fletcher 1988: 19

Parasiphanta lanceolata Fletcher

Parasiphanta lanceolata Fletcher 1988: 19 

Key to the species of Siphanta

Genus Siphanta Stål

Siphanta Stål 1862: 69
Phalainesthes Kirkaldy 1899: 359, synonymised by Kirkaldy 1902: 117
Lombokia Distant 1910b: 323, synonymised by Fletcher 1985: 3
Parasalurnis Distant 1910a: 309, synonymised by Fletcher 1985: 3
Siphantoides Distant 1910a: 305, synonymised by Fletcher 1985: 3

Siphanta acuta (Walker), the green planthopper

Poeciloptera acuta Walker 1851: 448 
Poeciloptera cupido Walker 1851: 453, syn. by Stål 1862a: 489 
Siphanta acuta (Walker), Stål 1862: 69 
Cromna elegans Costa 1864: 149, syn by Melichar 1902: 36 
Phalainesthes schauinslandi Kirkaldy 1899: 359, syn by Kirkaldy 1902: 117

ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA, Norfolk Is. New Zealand, 
USA (Hawaii, California),  S. Africa Azores
[updates: 17.xii.2002;
Norfolk I. added 6.vii.2014;
Azores added 25.i.2015]

Siphanta acutipennis Kirkaldy

Siphanta acutipennis Kirkaldy 1906: 454 
Siphantoides alboconspersus Distant 1910a: 305, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 40 
Siphantoides conspicuus Distant 1910a: 306, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 40 
Siphantoides trimaculatus Distant 1910a: 306, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 40 

Siphanta angularis Fletcher

Siphanta angularis Fletcher 1985: 8 

Siphanta angustata Fletcher

Siphanta angustata Fletcher 1985: 32 

Siphanta anomala Jacobi

Siphanta anomala Jacobi 1928: 19 

Siphanta bifida Fletcher

Siphanta bifida Fletcher 1985: 9 

Siphanta compacta Fletcher

Siphanta compacta Fletcher 1985: 20 

Siphanta constricta Fletcher

Siphanta constricta Fletcher 1985: 24

Siphanta eberhardi Fletcher

Siphanta eberhardi Fletcher 1985: 10

Siphanta expatria Fletcher

Siphanta expatria Fletcher 1985: 41  <

Siphanta fusca Fletcher

Siphanta fusca Fletcher 1985: 23

Siphanta galeata Kirkaldy

Siphanta galeata Kirkaldy 1906: 453

Siphanta gallowayi Fletcher

Siphanta gallowayi Fletcher 1985: 30

Siphanta glauca Fletcher

Siphanta glauca Fletcher 1985: 12

Siphanta granulata Kirkaldy

Siphanta granulata Kirkaldy 1906: 455

Siphanta granulicollis (Stål)

Poeciloptera granulicollis Stål 1859: 282 
Siphanta granulicollis (Stål), Stål 1862: 69 
Siphanta minuta Melichar 1902: 38, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 26

Note: This species has been collected on separate occasions as both adults and nymphs on Hakea gibbosa (Proteaceae) [update: 28.iii.2017]

Siphanta gregaria Jacobi

Siphanta gregaria Jacobi 1928: 18

Siphanta griseoviridis Fletcher

Siphanta griseoviridis Fletcher 1985: 12

Siphanta hackeri Fletcher

Siphanta hackeri Fletcher 1985: 13

Siphanta hebes (Walker)

Poeciloptera hebes Walker 1851: 464 
Siphanta hebes (Walker), Fletcher 1985: 14 
Poeciloptera atomaria Walker 1858b: 56, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 14 
Siphanta breviceps Kirkaldy 1906: 454, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 14 
Siphanta stigma Distant 1910a: 304, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 14

Siphanta kurandae Fletcher

Siphanta kurandae Fletcher 1985: 15

Siphanta lucindae Kirkaldy

Siphanta lucindae Kirkaldy 1906: 455

Siphanta luteolineata Fletcher

Siphanta luteolineata Fletcher 1985: 35

Siphanta lynae Fletcher

Siphanta lynae Fletcher 1985: 37

Siphanta minuta (Fabricius)

Cicada minuta Fabricius 1775: 683 
Siphanta minuta (Fabricius), Fletcher 1985: 36 
Siphanta sensilis Kirkaldy 1907: 101, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 36

Siphanta montana Fletcher

Siphanta montana Fletcher 1985: 16

Siphanta nubecula Jacobi

Siphanta nubecula Jacobi 1928: 18

Siphanta occidentalis Fletcher

Siphanta occidentalis Fletcher 1985: 25

Siphanta parva Fletcher

Siphanta parva Fletcher 1985: 28

Siphanta patruelis (Stål)

Phyllyphanta patruelis Stål 1859: 283 
Siphanta patruelis (Stål), Stål 1862: 69 
Siphanta toga Kirkaldy 1906: 454, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 19 
Siphanta javana Kirkaldy 1913: 21, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 19 
Parasalurnis infumata Distant 1910a: 310, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 19 
Lombokia everetti Distant 1910b: 323, syn. by Fletcher 1985: 19 
Siphanta toga var. maculata Lallemand 1935: 662 
Siphanta patruelis (Stål) form "drysdalensis" Fletcher 2002: 100

Siphanta peracuta Fletcher

Siphanta peracuta Fletcher 1985: 8

Siphanta recurva Fletcher

Siphanta recurva Fletcher 1985: 16

Siphanta roseicincta (Walker)

Poeciloptera roseicincta Walker 1862: 313 
Siphanta roseicincta (Walker), Fletcher 1985: 31 
Parasalurnis insularis Distant 1910a: 310, syn by Fletcher 1985: 31

Siphanta rubra Schmidt

Siphanta rubra Schmidt 1904: 358

Siphanta similis Fletcher

Siphanta similis Fletcher 1985: 17

Siphanta solitaria Fletcher

Siphanta solitaria Fletcher 1985: 17

Siphanta striata Fletcher [update: added 11.x.2002]

Siphanta striata Fletcher 2002: 98

Siphanta subgranulosa Kirkaldy

Siphanta subgranulosa Kirkaldy 1906: 455 
Siphanta granulicollis sensu Kirkaldy 1906: 455, syn. by Kirkaldy 1907: 100

Siphanta tasmanica Fletcher

Siphanta tasmanica Fletcher 1985: 29

Siphanta thambeos Fletcher

Siphanta thambeos Fletcher 1985: 30

Siphanta tropica Fletcher

Siphanta tropica Fletcher 1985: 18

Species excluded from the Australian fauna.

Neomelicharia cruentata (Fabricius)

Flata cruentata Fabricius 1803: 46 
Cicada pustulata Donovan 1805: 2, syn. by Medler 1999: 49.

Note: The record of this species from "New South Wales" comes from Donovan's original description of C. pustulata and is highly questionable. Donovan's type specimen was in the collection of "Mr Francillon", along with the other specimens figured on the same plate. It would appear either that these specimens were mislabelled or that Donovan misinterpreted the origin of the specimens since the species is Indonesian and has not been recorded in Australia other than by Donovan (1805) and subsequent authors quoting Donovan (see Fletcher, et al. 2003).

Poeciloflata modesta (Donovan)

Cicada modesta Donovan 1805: 2
Poeciloflata modesta (Donovan), Melichar 1901: 236

Note: This species was collected by John White, Surgeon General of the First Fleet, and the specimen(s) returned to England where they were sold to a Mr Francillon, a London medical practitioner, on whose collection Donovan (1805) based his description of the species. The locality was given as New South Wales but the specimens could have come from any of the places where the ships made landfall. Melichar recorded the species from Sulawesi and Kalimantan and it is almost certain that this is the origin of White's specimens (See Fletcher, et al. 2003).

Poeciloflata viridana (Donovan)

Cicada viridana Donovan 1805: 1
Poeciloflata viridana (Donovan), Melichar 1901: 235.

Note: The same comments made above for P. modesta also apply to this species.