Genus Sextius Stål
Sextius sp
Sextius Stål 1866b: 387; Day 1999: 716. Type species: Centrotus virescens Fairmaire 1846, designated by Goding 1903: 10
Known species: Eleven specific names exist (two of which were omitted by Day 1999) but, as pointed out by numerous authors including Evans (1966), Broomfield (1971) and Day (1999), species limits are yet to be adequately defined for the genus. Day (1999) noted that at least five taxa are recognisable but the genus is in need of revision.
Distribution: throughout Australia
Comments: Species of Sextius are some of the best known and commonest membracids in Australia. They are found on species of Acacia in groups of adults and nymphs and attended by ants. Their distinctive bright green colouring (in life, fading to yellow green or even greenish brown when pinned) makes them easy to identify in the field. The reticulated venation over the apical portion of the forewing is also distinctive. There is considerable variation in the shape and size of the lateral pronotal processes, these being very small (Day 1999 reports they may be absent) in some specimens.