Subfamily Xestocephalinae
Xestocephalus tasmaniensis Evans
The xestocephalines are small rounded leafhoppers with small eyes and a characteristic pattern of pale round spots scattered across the tegmina. In some species the spots run into each other so the pattern is not clear. Features common throughout the subfamily are reduced antennae, rounded head and body and small eyes and these features appear to be adaptations for subterranean living although, as pointed out by Rakitov (2000) this is not the case for most species [update: 13.ii.2001]. Some species in the subfamily, however, are known to be myrmecophilous. Most of the world's species are currently classified into the single nominal genus Xestocephalus with a few aberrant species separated into their own genus. It is likely that the Australian fauna contains many undescribed species. The myrmecophilous Australian species Myrmecophryne formiceticola has been found feeding on the roots of sugarcane and may be associated with transmission of diseases of sugarcane.
- Species of Xestocephalinae known to occur in Australia
- Species of Xestocephalinae known to occur in eastern Indonesia and New Guinea
- Link to keys for New Zealand Xestocephalinae
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Species of Xestocephalinae known to occur in Australia
Genus Xestocephalus KirkaldyXestocephalus Kirkaldy 1907:
52 |
|
Xestocephalus australensis Kirkaldy Xestocephalus australensis Kirkaldy 1907: 52 |
Qld |
Xestocephalus izzardi Metcalf [update: added 9.v.2002] Xestocephalus minutus Izzard 1936: 598, preoccupied by Xestocephalus
minutus (Distant 1918) |
Christmas Island |
Xestocephalus magnificus Evans Xestocephalus magnificus Evans 1966: 256 |
Qld, NSW [NSW update: 22.iii.2012] |
Xestocephalus sidnicus Kirkaldy Xestocephalus sidnicus Kirkaldy 1907: 53 |
NSW |
Xestocephalus tasmaniensis Evans Xestocephalus tasmaniensis Evans 1938a: 12 |
Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, NT, WA |
Genus Myrmecophryne KirkaldyMyrmecophryne Kirkaldy 1906: 462 |
|
Myrmecophryne formiceticola Kirkaldy Myrmecophryne formiceticola Kirkaldy 1906: 462 Notes: This species was described from ants' nests. |
Qld, NT [NT update: 22.iii.2012] |