Insect keys » Membracoidea

Subfamily Idiocerinae

The Australian Idiocerinae were revised by Webb (1983). These are generally small leafhoppers with large eyes, heads with the crown rounded evenly into the face with the ocelli on the face and a broad appendix on the tegmen. Some have distinctive colour patterns but examination of the male genitalia is necessary for species identifications (see Methods for technique). Many of the Australian species are placed in the genera Rosopaella Webb (endemic) and Zaletta Metcalf. Many species are known to be associated with the dominant tree genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), although the host ranges of most species are unknown. The New Zealand fauna comprises only two introductions from the Northern Hemisphere, Rhytidodus decimaquartus and Idiocerus distinguendus. Neither of these two species has been confirmed as established in Australia [update: 12.ii.2001]. The Indonesian fauna is extensive and needs comprehensive revision.

The only economically important species known in Australia are the mango leafhoppers, Idioscopus nitidulus, which was first reported in Australia by Day and Fletcher (1994), and I. clypealis, first recorded in Australia in 1999 (see Fletcher and Dangerfield 2002).

Species of Idiocerinae known to occur in Australia

Genus Austrocerus Evans

Austrocerus Evans 1941: 37
Gnatia Evans 1942a: 150, synonymised by Webb 1983: 66

Austrocerus angustatus (Evans)

Gnatia angustata Evans 1942a: 150
Austrocerus angustatus (Evans), Webb 1983: 69

[update: image added 28.ix.2011]

Austrocerus asymmetricus Webb

Austrocerus asymmetricus Webb 1983: 68

NSW

Austrocerus emarginatus Evans

Austrocerus emarginatus Evans 1941: 39

Austrocerus glaucus (Evans)

Tumocerus glaucus Evans 1942a: 149
Austrocerus glaucus (Evans), Webb 1983: 69

Austrocerus ipo (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus ipo Kirkaldy 1906: 466
Austrocerus ipo (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 70

Qld, NSW

Genus Balocerus Freytag & Morrison

Balocerus Freytag & Morrison 1972: 41

Balocerus brooksi Webb

Balocerus brooksi Webb 1983: 49

Qld

Balocerus careebus Webb

Balocerus careebus Webb 1983: 48

Qld

Balocerus lintus Webb

Balocerus lintus Webb 1983: 49

Qld

Balocerus longicornis Webb

Balocerus longicornis Webb 1983: 50

Note: the NSW record was published by Webb (1983) and is from Tweed Heads in the very NE corner of the state.

Qld, NSW

[NSW update: 28.ix.2011]

Balocerus orodemnias (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus orodemnias Kirkaldy 1907: 33
Balocerus orodemnias (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 47

Qld

Balocerus triozus Webb

Balocerus triozus Webb 1983: 47

Qld

Genus Balocha Distant

Balocha Distant 1908b: 189
Idiocerinus Baker 1915: 341, syn. by Maldonado Capriles 1961: 300

Balocha toesa Webb

Balocha toesa Webb 1983: 59

NSW

Balocha unilineata Maldonado Capriles

Balocha unilineata Maldonado Capriles 1970: 300

Qld, NT, PNG

Balocha xantho (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus xantho Kirkaldy 1907: 33
Balocha xantho (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 58

NSW, Qld

Genus Balocharella Webb

Balocharella Webb 1983 : 60

Balocharella bulbulla Webb

Balocharella bulbulla Webb 1983: 61

Qld

Balocharella crosea Webb

Balocharella crosea Webb 1983: 61

Qld

Genus Bharinka Webb

Bharinka Webb 1983 : 70

Bharinka storeyi Webb

Bharinka storeyi Webb 1983: 71

Qld

Genus Bharoopra Webb

Bharoopra Webb 1983 : 83

Bharoopra clavosignata Webb

Bharoopra clavosignata Webb 1983: 84

[update: live image added 10.ii.2012]

NSW, Qld

Genus Bundabrilla Webb

Balocharella Webb 1983 : 84

Bundabrilla clovella Webb

Bundabrilla clovella Webb 1983: 85

Qld, NSW

[NSW update: 29.ix.2011]

Genus Busoniomimus Maldonado Capriles

Busoniomimus Maldonado Capriles 1977 : 491

Note: Specimens of this genus in ASCU, not identified to species, are known from NT. [update: 29.ix.2011]

Busoniomimus annulatus Webb

Busoniomimus annulatus Webb 1983: 87

Qld

Busoniomimus polydoros (Kirkaldy)

Pedioscopus polydoros Kirkaldy 1906: 349
Busoniomimus polydoros (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 86

Note: This species was synonymised with Pedioscopus philenor (Kirkaldy) by Evans (1966: 185), but this synonymy was rejected by Webb (1983)
[update: image added 13.x.2008]

Qld

Genus Candulifera Webb

Candulifera Webb 1983 : 73

Candulifera rapea Webb

Candulifera rapea Webb 1983: 74

Qld, NT

Genus Chunra Distant

Chunra Distant 1908b : 193

Chunra australis Webb

Chunra australis Webb 1983: 75

[update: image added 4.v.2005]

Qld

Genus Dhongariva Webb

Dhongariva Webb 1983 : 90

Dhongariva spinosa Webb

Dhongariva spinosa Webb 1983: 91

Qld

Genus Eutandra Webb

Eutandra Webb 1983 : 71

Eutandra rhutens Webb

Eutandra rhutens Webb 1983: 72

NSW, Qld

Genus Hatralixia Webb

Hatralixia Webb 1983 : 88

Hatralixia pallida Webb

Hatralixia pallida Webb 1983: 88

[update: image added 30.ix.2011]

Genus Hydabricta Webb

Hydabricta Webb 1983 : 80

Hydabricta streeta Webb

Hydabricta streeta Webb 1983: 81

Qld

Genus Idiocerella Evans

Idiocerella Evans 1941 : 39

Idiocerella obscura Evans

Idiocerella obscura Evans 1941: 39, incertae sedis (Webb 1983: 93)

Genus Idioscopus Baker

Idioscopus Baker 1915 : 338
Chunrocerus Zachvatkin 1946: 154, synonymised by Maldonado Capriles 1971: 184

Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry)

Idiocerus clypealis Lethierry 1889: 252
Idiocerus nigroclypeatus Melichar 1903: 148, synonymised by Distant 1908b: 187
Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry), Baker 1915: 339

Note: This is a serious pest of mango from Pakistan to the Philippines and New Guinea and was first collected in Australian territory on Yam and Stephen Islands, Torres Strait in October 1990 and Darnley Island in November of the same year. It was first recorded on the mainland at Moreton on Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland in October 1999 (see Fletcher & Dangerfield 2002). It feeds by preference on the flowers. [update: 12.xi.1999, 30.ix.2011]

Qld, Torres Strait Islands, PNG, Pakistan, India,
Sri Lanka, Japan, Vietnam,
Malaysia, Singapore, China
Philippines, Indonesia

Idioscopus nitidulus (Walker)

Iassus nitidulus Walker 1870: 322
Idiocerus niveosparsus Lethierry 1889: 252, synonymised by Maldonado Capriles 1973: 180
Idiocerus basalis Melichar 1903: 147, synonymised by Distant 1908b: 185 (with I. niveosparsus)
Idiocerus maculatus Distant 1912: 605, preoccupied by Idiocerus maculatus Melichar 1896.
Idiocerus incertus Baker 1924: 367, nom. nov. for I. maculatus Distant, synonymised by Maldonado Capriles 1964: 93
Idioscopus nitidulus (Walker), Maldonado Capriles 1973: 181
Idioscopus karachiensis Ahmed, Naheed & Ahmed 1980: 222, synonymised by Khatri and Webb 2014: 282
Idioscopus freytagi Ahmed, Naheed & Ahmed 1980: 224, synonymised by Khatri and Webb 2014: 282

Note: This is a serious pest of mango in SE Asia and was first discovered on Australian territory on Yam Island and Darnley Island in 1986, spreading to the mainland at Darwin, NT, and Weipa, N.Qld in 1997. [update: 12.xi.1999]
Maldonado Capriles (1964) noted that I. incertus and I. niveosparsus were very close, "perhaps only a subspecies or an extreme variety". He also noted that I. niveosparsus was "very variable in coloration". He followed with a similar comparison between I. niveosparsus and I. nitidulus, suggesting that all three were subspecies or extreme varieties of the same species, which would give I. nitidulus priority. As the species is of economic importance, he was loath to create a synonymy since I. niveosparsus was so well known in the literature. In 1974, he listed the species of Idioscopus and included all three names separately in the list. Day and Fletcher (1994) accepted Maldonado Capriles (1973) suggested synonymy of the species. [update: 13.ii.2002]

NT, Qld,
Torres Strait islands,
India, Sri Lanka, Japan,
Philippines, China,
Malaysia, Taiwan,
Vietnam, Singapore,
Myan Mar, Indonesia

Genus Maroopula Webb

Maroopula Webb 1983 : 72

Maroopula trixia Webb

Maroopula trixia Webb 1983: 73

NSW, Qld

Genus Musgraviella Evans

Musgraviella Evans 1966 : 187

Musgraviella tasmaniensis Evans

Musgraviella tasmaniensis Evans 1966: 187

[update: image added 1.x.2011]

Tas

Musgraviella tricornis Webb

Musgraviella tricornis Webb 1983: 63

NSW

Genus Nyndgama Webb

Nyndgama Webb 1983 : 81

Nyndgama arowa Webb

Nyndgama arowa Webb 1983: 82

Qld

Genus Pascoepus Webb

Pascoepus Webb 1983 : 50

Pascoepus candidus (Evans)

Idiocerus candidus Evans 1942a: 151
Pascoepus candidus (Evans), Webb 1983: 54

Pascoepus hyleorais (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus hyleorais Kirkaldy 1907: 34
Pascoepus hyleorais (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 52

Qld, NT, WA

Pascoepus illawarrus Webb

Pascoepus illawarrus Webb 1983: 55

NSW, Vic, Qld
[Vic. update:
25.ix.2000; Qld update: 1.x.2011]

Pascoepus insularis (Evans)

Idiocerus insularis Evans 1941: 37
Pascoepus insularis (Evans), Webb 1983: 53

Pascoepus longispinus Webb

Pascoepus longispinus Webb 1983: 57

Pascoepus macropensis (Evans)

Idiocerus macropensis Evans 1941: 37
Pascoepus macropensis (Evans), Webb 1983: 53

[update: image added 1.x.2011]

Pascoepus neboissi Webb

Pascoepus neboissi Webb 1983: 55

Pascoepus nymphias (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus nymphias Kirkaldy 1907: 33
Idiocerus oreias Kirkaldy 1907: 33, synonymised by Webb 1983: 56
Pascoepus nymphias (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 56

Known hosts: Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) (Kirkaldy 1907)

NSW, ACT, Qld

Pascoepus viridiceps (Evans)

Idiocerus viridiceps Evans 1942a: 151
Pascoepus viridiceps (Evans), Webb 1983: 54

Notes: A redescription of this species, including illustrations of the male genitalia, have been provided by Fletcher (2007) [update: 13.vii.2007]

Pascoepus viridipennis Webb

Pascoepus viridipennis Webb 1983: 57

NSW, Qld

Genus Pedioscopus Kirkaldy

Pedioscopus Kirkaldy 1906 : 349

Pedioscopus disjunctus Baker

Pedioscopus disjunctus Baker 1915: 331

Notes: This species, originally described from the Philippines, was first identified in Australia in 2000 from specimens collected in 1998.
Known hosts: Semecarpus australiensis Seml. (Anacardiaceae) [update: 8 June 2000]

Philippines, NT

Pedioscopus philenor Kirkaldy

Pedioscopus philenor Kirkaldy 1906: 349
Pedioscopus polydoros Kirkaldy 1906: 349, synonymised by Maldonado Capriles 1972: 531
Pedioscopus agenor Kirkaldy 1906: 350, synonymised by Evans 1936: 81 (with P. polydoros)

[update: images added 4.x.2011]

Qld

Genus Quilopsus Webb

Quilopsus Webb 1983 : 65

Quilopsus koebelei Webb

Quilopsus koebelei Webb 1983: 66

Note: The holotype male of this species is labelled "Australia" and collected by Koebele. The distribution given by Webb (1983) was based on a female paratype from WA tentatively identified as this species by Webb. However, as far as is known, Koebele collected only in Qld so it is presumed that the holotype is from Qld.

Qld?, WA?

Genus Rhytidodus Fieber

Rhytidodus Fieber 1872 : 8

Rhytidodus decimaquartus (Schrank)

Cicada decimaquarta Schrank 1776: 76
Jassus crenatus Germar 1837: pl.10, synonymised by Fieber 1868: 451 (with I. germari)
Jassus scurra Germar 1837: pl.11, synonymised by Haupt 1917: 147
Idiocerus germari Fieber 1868: 451, nom nov for I. scurra Germar (invalid)
Idiocerus scurra fulvus Rey 1894: 30, synonymised by Nast 1972: 215
Idiocerus gemmisimulans Leonard and Crosby 1915: 541, synonymised by Dickerson and Weiss 1917: 218 (with I. scurra)
Rhytidodus decimusquartus (Schrank), Nast 1972: 215

Known hosts: Populus, Salix (Salicaceae), Alnus (Betulaceae).
Note: Day and Fletcher (1994: 1166) raise doubts whether this species is established in Australia.

?NSW,
NZ, holarctic

Genus Rosopaella Webb

Rosopaella Webb 1983 : 6

Rosopaella aldutra Webb

Rosopaella aldutra Webb 1983: 16

Qld, NSW, ACT,
Vic

Rosopaella aroka Webb

Rosopaella aroka Webb 1983: 19

Qld, NSW

Rosopaella carmiella Webb

Rosopaella carmiella Webb 1983: 23

NSW, Vic

Rosopaella citrinella Webb

Rosopaella citrinella Webb 1983: 12

Qld, NT, WA,
ACT

Rosopaella crofta Webb

Rosopaella crofta Webb 1983: 25

NSW, ACT, Vic,
Tas

Rosopaella cuprea (Walker)

Bythoscopus cupreus Walker 1851: 871
Idiocerus cupreus (Walker), Evans 1966: 177
Idiocerus seckeri Evans 1936: 79, synonymised by Evans 1966: 177
Rosopaella cuprea (Walker), Webb 1983: 19

Known hosts: Acacia (Mimosaceae) (Webb 1983)

Qld, NSW, SA,
Tas

Rosopaella evansi Webb

Rosopaella evansi Webb 1983: 17

NSW, ACT, NT,
WA, Qld

[Qld update: 5.x.2011]

Rosopaella felicta Webb

Rosopaella felicta Webb 1983: 23

Rosopaella filoxa Webb

Rosopaella filoxa Webb 1983: 26

NSW, Qld

Rosopaella flindersi (Evans)

Idiocerus flindersi Evans 1941: 37
Rosopaella flindersi (Evans), Webb 1983: 14

Rosopaella galonda Webb

Rosopaella galonda Webb 1983: 15

WA, Vic, NSW

[NSW update: 5.x.2011]

Rosopaella geoffroyi (Distant)

Idiocerus geoffroyi Distant 1908a: 99
Rosopaella geoffroyi (Distant), Webb 1983: 21

[update: images added 6.x.2011]

Qld, ACT, Vic

Rosopaella kirkaldyi (Evans)

Idiocerus kirkaldyi Evans 1936: 79
Rosopaella kirkaldyi (Evans), Webb 1983: 29

NSW, Vic, Tas,
WA

Rosopaella leurensis (Evans)

Idiocerus leurensis Evans 1934: 167
Rosopaella leurensis (Evans), Webb 1983: 14

Qld, NSW, ACT,
Vic, SA

Rosopaella lopada Webb

Rosopaella lopada Webb 1983: 27

Qld, NSW, ACT,
Vic, SA

Rosopaella magnata Webb

Rosopaella magnata Webb 1983: 13

NSW, ACT, Qld

Rosopaella napais (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus napais Kirkaldy 1907: 34
Rosopaella napais (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 10

Qld, NSW, NT,
WA

Rosopaella nigra Webb

Rosopaella nigra Webb 1983: 21
Known hosts: Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) (Webb 1983)

Vic

Rosopaella nigrilinea Webb

Rosopaella nigrilinea Webb 1983: 13

Rosopaella nigroflava Webb

Rosopaella nigroflava Webb 1983: 17

Qld, NSW, ACT,
Vic

Rosopaella nigropicta Webb

Rosopaella nigropicta Webb 1983: 30

WA, SA, Vic

Rosopaella nigroscuta Webb

Rosopaella nigroscuta Webb 1983: 25

WA, Vic

Rosopaella nubera Webb

Rosopaella nubera Webb 1983: 28

Qld

Rosopaella nuda Webb

Rosopaella nuda Webb 1983: 11

NSW, Qld, NT

Rosopaella pallens Webb

Rosopaella pallens Webb 1983: 11

Qld, NSW, Vic,
NT, WA

Rosopaella parva Webb

Rosopaella parva Webb 1983: 18

Qld, NSW, NT,
WA

Rosopaella praeda Webb

Rosopaella praeda Webb 1983: 20

Qld, NSW, ACT,
Vic, WA

Rosopaella recurva Webb

Rosopaella recurva Webb 1983: 28
Known hosts: ornamental broom (Fabaceae) (Webb 1983)

ACT

Rosopaella rubrofascia Webb

Rosopaella rubrofascia Webb 1983: 24

Qld, NSW, Vic,
WA

Rosopaella swani (Evans)

Idiocerus swani Evans 1941: 37
Rosopaella swani (Evans), Webb 1983: 22

NSW, ACT, Vic,
Tas, SA

Rosopaella weiri Webb

Rosopaella weiri Webb 1983: 27

NSW

Genus Tinderella Webb

Tinderella Webb 1983 : 91

Tinderella maondica Webb

Tinderella maondica Webb 1983: 92

Qld

Genus Tumocerus Evans

Tumocerus Evans 1942a : 149

Tumocerus grandis Evans

Tumocerus grandis Evans 1942a: 149

Tumocerus varius Evans

Tumocerus varius Evans 1942a: 149
Tumocerus various Evans, Webb 1983: 64
Tumocerus merredinensis Evans 1942a: 149, synonymised by Webb 1983: 64

Genus Wiloatma Webb

Wiloatma Webb 1983 : 76

Wiloatma bifurcata Webb

Wiloatma bifurcata Webb 1983: 79

Qld

Wiloatma caprilesi Webb

Wiloatma caprilesi Webb 1983: 77

Qld

Wiloatma fasciata Webb

Wiloatma fasciata Webb 1983: 77

Qld

Wiloatma liepai Webb

Wiloatma liepai Webb 1983: 78

Qld

Wiloatma taeva Webb

Wiloatma taeva Webb 1983: 79

Qld

Genus Zaletta Metcalf

Macrocerus Evans 1941: 39, preoccupied by Macrocerus de Motschulsky 1845 (Coleoptera)
Zaletta Metcalf 1952: 229, nom. nov. for Macrocerus Evans 1941.

Zaletta agreeva Webb

Zaletta agreeva Webb 1983: 45

NSW

Zaletta aulonias (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus aulonias Kirkaldy 1907: 34
Zaletta aulonias (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 36

Qld

Zaletta corona Webb

Zaletta corona Webb 1983: 36

Qld, NT, WA

Zaletta crassa Webb

Zaletta crassa Webb 1983: 41

NSW

Zaletta cupido (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus cupido Kirkaldy 1907: 34
Zaletta cupido (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 93

Note: Webb (1983) states that this species, known only from the female, runs to Zaletta in his key but may belong to a new genus.

NSW

Zaletta divisa (Evans)

Idiocerus divisus Evans 1936: 80
Idiocerus coloratus Evans 1942a: 150, synonymised by Webb 1983: 38
Zaletta divisa (Evans), Webb 1983: 38

Qld, WA, Vic

Zaletta elofa Webb

Zaletta elofa Webb 1983: 34

NSW, Qld

Zaletta filda Webb

Zaletta filda Webb 1983: 39

Known hosts: Callistemon (Myrtaceae)

ACT, Qld, Vic

Zaletta hattahensis Webb

Zaletta hattahensis Webb 1983: 44

Vic

Zaletta inconsequens (Evans)

Idiocerus inconsequens Evans 1936: 80
Zaletta inconsequens (Evans) nomen dubium, Webb 1983: 93
Note: This species is known only from parts of the female holotype and was only tentatively placed in Zaletta by Webb (1983).

Vic

Zaletta jafara Webb

Zaletta jafara Webb 1983: 35

Qld

Zaletta kisseis (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus kisseis Kirkaldy 1907: 32
Zaletta kisseis (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 40

Known hosts: Callistemon viminalis (Myrtaceae)

Qld

Zaletta lacustris (Evans)

Idiocerus lacustris Evans 1942 : 28
Zaletta lacustris (Evans), Webb 1983: 41

NSW, Tas

Zaletta lesmurdiensis (Evans)

Idiocerus lesmurdiensis Evans 1936: 80
Zaletta lesmurdiensis (Evans), Webb 1983: 43

Zaletta lutea (Evans)

Idiocerus luteus Evans 1942a: 150
Zaletta lutea (Evans), Webb 1983: 42

Zaletta minuta (Evans)

Macrocerus minutus Evans 1941: 39
Zaletta minuta (Evans), Metcalf 1952: 229

Zaletta nereias (Kirkaldy)

Idiocerus nereias Kirkaldy 1907: 34
Idiocerus fucatus Evans 1942a: 150, synonymised by Webb 1983: 42
Zaletta nereias (Kirkaldy), Webb 1983: 42

NSW, Qld, WA,
Vic, Tas

Zaletta nikitini Webb

Zaletta nikitini Webb 1983: 37

NSW

Zaletta rotifer Webb

Zaletta rotifer Webb 1983: 37

Zaletta rubens (Evans)

Idiocerus rubens Evans 1942a: 150
Zaletta rubens (Evans), Webb 1983: 43

Zaletta rubroclava Webb

Zaletta rubroclava Webb 1983: 33

NSW, Qld

Zaletta straminea Webb

Zaletta straminea Webb 1983: 35

Zaletta tambourina (Evans)

Idiocerus tambourina Evans 1941a : 28
Zaletta tambourina (Evans), Webb 1983: 38

Qld, NSW, WA,
NT

Zaletta turneri Webb

Zaletta turneri Webb 1983: 34

Zaletta webbi Fletcher [update: added 13.vii.2007]

Zaletta webbi Fletcher 2007: 15

Genus Zinislopa Webb

Zinislopa Webb 1983 : 89

Zinislopa troopa Webb

Zinislopa troopa Webb 1983: 90

Note: The extension of distribution of this species to NSW is based on a single specimen from Tweed River in ASCU. [update: 16.xi.2011]
[update: replacement of image with one of living specimen, 11.ii.2012]

Qld, NSW

[NSW update: 16.xi.2011]