Family Myerslopiidae
[update: added 5.ii.2001]
This group of small cryptic leafhoppers was included in the tribe Myerslopiini of the subfamily Ulopinae by Evans (1977). The Myerslopiini was raised to subfamily status by Linnavuori (1972). However, Hamilton (1999) has shown that the species placed in the Myerslopiinae belong in three different Tribes, their similarity resulting from considerable convergence, probably due to their lifestyles. All the Australian species belong in Hamilton's (1999) tribe Sagmatiini which is also found in Madagascar and New Caledonia. True Myerslopiini are only found in New Zealand and South America and are now classified in a separate leafhopper family, the Myerslopiidae. The third tribe, the Evansiolini, is only found on Juan Fernández Island near Chile.
Adults and nymphs live in decomposing leaf litter and soil with high organic content in protected forest environments. The New Zealand fauna of Myerslopiidae includes 12 species divided between two genera, Myerslopia and Pemmation.