Genus Aconophora Fairmaire
Aconophora compressa Walker (male)
Aconophora Fairmaire 1846: 294. Type species: Aconophora laminata Fairmaire 1846, by original designation?
Known species: Numerous species endemic to the Neotropical region.
Distribution: Widespread in Central and South America. One introduced species in Australia
Comments: One species, A. compressa,
has been introduced to NSW and Qld by the Qld Department of Lands as a
biological control agent for Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) and has
been found in gardens in coastal regions on other ornamentals. It is quite
distinctive with its single laterally flattened pronotal process, which
is wider in profile in males than in females.
It is the only membracid in Australia in the
subfamily Membracinae, all others belonging to the subfamily Centrotinae.