Revision of the Eurybrachidae (VII). The Australian genera Hackerobrachys and Fletcherobrachys (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Eurybrachidae)

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Abstract
The Australian genera of Eurybrachidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha)
Hackerobrachys Constant n. g. and Fletcherobrachys Constant
n. g. are described respectively for Olonia viridiventris Stål, 1863
and Platybrachys stillata Bergroth, 1907. The new combinations
Hackerobrachys viridiventris (Stål, 1863) n. comb. and Fletchero-
brachys stillata (Bergroth, 1907) n. comb. are subsequently pro-
posed. Olonia nigroapicata Jacobi, 1928 is proposed as synonym of
Fletcherobrachys stillata (Bergroth, 1907). The male genitalia are
illustrated and photos of habitus, a distribution map and biological
data are provided with the description of the species. The nymph of
H. viridiventris is illustrated and unique case of sexual dimorphism
in the shape of the median tibia is reported in F. stillata.
Résumé
Les genres australiens d’Eurybrachidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha)
Hackerobrachys Constant n. g. et Fletcherobrachys Constant n. g.
sont décrits respectivement pour Olonia viridiventris Stål, 1863 et
Platybrachys stillata Bergroth, 1907. Les nouvelles combinaisons
Hackerobrachys viridiventris (Stål, 1863) n. comb. et Fletchero-
brachys stillata (Bergroth, 1907) n. comb. sont donc proposées.
Olonia nigroapicata Jacobi, 1928 est proposé comme synonyme de
Fletcherobrachys stillata (Bergroth, 1907). Les genitalia mâles
sont illustrés et des photos d’habitus, une carte de répartition ainsi
que des renseignements sur la biologie accompagnent la description
des espèces. La larve de H. viridiventris est illustrée et un exemple
unique de dimorphisme sexuel affectant la forme du tibia médian est
rapporté chez F. stillata.
Keywords: Australian region, Eurybrachidae, revision, Hackero-
brachys n. g., Fletcherobrachys n. g.
Introduction
This paper is the seventh one of a series intended to revise
the family Eurybrachidae.
This study starts with the one-by-one revision and redefi-
nition of the genera and should result in a proposal of a
more natural classification in the family. This will also
allow tentative understanding of the phylogeny and zoog-
eography of the family.
Historical review
Olonia viridiventris
In 1863, Stål described the species viridiventris from
Moreton Bay (Queensland) and placed it in his genus
Olonia which he had described in 1862 with the fol-
lowing distinctive features: (1) hind tibiae with 3 lateral
spines, (2) frons transverse with sides angulate, (3) pro-
and mesonotum together broader than long, (4) antennae
short, not surpassing the eyes.
Kirkaldy (1906) mentioned the species in a paper on
Australian Eurybrachidae in which he also erroneously
stated that all Australian Eurybrachidae are probably
Eucalyptus feeders.
In his very interesting note of 1924, Hacker stated that
the species is rather local and feeds on Acacia cunning-
hami (Mimosaceae) but he had not been able to recognize
the eggs and nymphs as 2 other species of Eurybrachi-
dae, Gelastopsis insignis Kirkaldy 1906 (erroneously
named transversa Walker, 1858 in Hacker, 1924, see
also Constant, 2005) and Dardus abbreviatus (Guérin-
Méneville, 1834) are found on the same host plant. He
also stated that viridiventris looks more like a Platy-
brachys than like an Olonia in the shape of the tegmina
but left the species in Olonia as the thorax is wider than
the length of the pro- and mesonotum together.
Platybrachys stillata
In 1907, Bergroth described Platybrachys stillata from
central Australia. The reason of the placement of this
species in the genus Platybrachys Stål, 1859 remains
unclear as the main distinctive feature given by Stål for
this genus is the pro- and mesonotum as broad as long
taken together, while in stillata they are shorter than
broad, which makes the species more likely to be placed
in the genus Olonia Stål, 1862.
Later in 1928, Jacobi described the same species
under Olonia nigroapicata for one specimen collected
in Kimberley district [Western Australia] by the Swed-
ish Scientific Expedition of Dr. E. Mjöberg to Australia
(1910-1913).
Metcalf (1956) placed both taxa in the Platybrachyi-
nae, Platybrachyini [main features of the Platybrachyini
Revision of the Eurybrachidae (VII).
The Australian genera Hackerobrachys and Fletcherobrachys
(Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Eurybrachidae)
by Jérôme CONSTANT
BULLETIN DE L'INSTITUT ROYAL DES SCIENCES NATURELLES DE BELGIQUE ENTOMOLOGIE, 76: 31-40, 2006
BULLETIN VAN HET KONINKLIJK BELGISCH INSTITUUT VOOR NATUURWETENSCHAPPEN ENTOMOLOGIE, 76: 31-40, 2006
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32 Jérôme CONSTANT
as defined by Schmidt (1908): (1) clavus of the tegmina
closed, (2) no infra-ocular spine].
The type of Eurybrachys rubicunda Walker, 1851, the
type-species of the genus Olonia, has been examined
and it seems evident that viridiventris and stillata can-
not be placed in the same genus as rubicunda, e.g.: (1)
tegmina are nearly flat in stillata and viridiventris, con-
vex in rubicunda, (2) first hind tarsomere bears a pad of
microsetae in rubicunda, not in stillata and viridiven-
tris, (3) male genitalia are very different, with gonostyli
strongly modified, spinose, and phallic complex reduced
in rubicunda and closely related species... furthermore,
no sexual dimorphism has been observed on tibia II of
rubicunda and viridiventris while it is present in stillata,
and the frons is much more convex in viridiventris than
in rubicunda and stillata. For those reasons, both spe-
cies are removed from their original genera and placed in
genera of their own.
Materials and methods
The available types have been studied and as much mate-
rial as possible has been examined. The genitalia of all
the males have been checked.
The genitalia are extracted after boiling the abdomen
in glacial acetic acid for a few minutes. The pygofer is
separated from the abdomen and placed for about one
hour in a 10% solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH)
at about 100°C, with some drops of saturated aqueous
Chlorazol black solution. It is then placed in glycerin.
For routine identification, only the acetic acid boiling
is necessary as the structures on the phallic complex are
directly visible after moving aside the gonostyli. The
genitalia are placed under the specimen, dry (in a gelatin
capsule or glued on a cardboard label) or in glycerin.
The description of the female genitalia follows Bour-
goin (1993) with some additions from the study of Soul-
ier-Perkins (1997) and Soulier-Perkins & Bourgoin
(1998) on the family Lophopidae.
Lectotypes and a neotype have been designated. For the
labels of the types, each single label is limited by square
brackets.
The species are redescribed and the genitalia as well
as other characters useful for identification are figured.
Distribution maps produced by the software CFF (Bar-
bier & Rasmont, 2000) and photos of habitus are also
provided. The few indications about the biology of the
species are given.
The following acronyms are used for the measurements
(measurements are taken as in Constant, 2004): BF,
breadth of the frons – BT, breadth of the thorax – BTg,
breadth of the tegmen – BV, breadth of the vertex – LF,
length of the frons – LM, length of the mesonotum – LP,
length of the pronotum – LT, total length – LTg, length of
the tegmen – LV, length of the vertex.
Acronyms used for the collections (name of the curator
in parentheses).
AMS: Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia (M. Moulds)
ANIC: Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO,
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (T.A.
Weir).
ASCT: Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit,
Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, New South Wales,
Australia (M.J. Fletcher)
BMNH: British Museum of Natural History, London,
United Kingdom (M. Webb)
BPBM: Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii,
U.S.A. (A. Ramsdale)
INHS: Illinois Natural History Survey Insect Col-
lection, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.A. (Chris Dietrich &
Colin Favret)
IRSNB: Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de
Belgique, Bruxelles, Belgium (P. Grootaert)
LBOB: Lois B. O’Brien private Collection, Tucson,
Arizona, U.S.A.
MAMU: Macleay Museum, University of Sydney,
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (M. Humphrey)
MJFC: Murray J. Fletcher private collection, Orange,
New South Wales, Australia
MVMA: Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia (K. Walker)
NHRS: Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm, Swe-
den (B. Viklund)
OSU: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
(P.W. Kovarik)
QDPI: Queensland Department of Primary Industries,
Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia (J. Donaldson)
QM: Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queens-
land, Australia (G. Monteith)
SAM: South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South
Australia, Australia (J. Forrest)
UQIC: University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queens-
land, Australia (G. Daniels)
USNM: National Museum of Natural History, Wash-
ington D.C., U.S.A. (S. McKamey )
WAMP: Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western
Australia, Australia (T. Houston )
Taxonomic part
Description of the taxa
Genus Hackerobrachys Constant, 2006 n. g.
Type-species: Olonia viridiventris Stål, 1863, by
original designation and monotypy.
Etymology: Name formed by the juxtaposition of the
words Hacker, in memory of the late Henry Hacker who
published his interesting field notes on Australian Eury-
brachidae in 1924, and brachys (Greek word meaning
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Eurybrachidae Revision (VII): Hackerobrachys & Fletcherobrachys 33
“short”) which is a common ending of the names of the
genera among the family Eurybrachidae. Gender arbi-
trarily feminine, following the use in the family.
Diagnosis: Medium sized, blackish brown coloured.
Differs from all other Australian genera by the follow-
ing combination of characters: strongly convex, twice
as broad as long frons; legs slender; first hind tarsomere
without pad of setae ventrally; tegmina flat; hind wings
unicolorous, blackish brown; thorax broader than pro-
and mesonotum together. Australia.
Description: General coloration: mainly blackish
brown.
Head: as broad as thorax; vertex 3.5 - 5 times broader than
long, shorter in middle than on sides, slightly concave
with fore and hind margins curved and slightly carinate;
frons around 2 times broader than long, strongly convex,
with disc slightly wrinkled; clypeus short, carinate near
apex, reaching fore trochanter; labium reaching median
trochanter; last segment short, little longer than broad,
narrower than penultimate; no infra-ocular spine; ocelli
absent; antennae short, not surpassing lateral angle of
frons; scape short, pedicel subglobular.
Thorax: about 1.3 times broader than length of pro- and
mesonotum together; pronotum smooth with fore margin
carinate and hind margin sinuate; mesonotum with lon-
gitudinal carina on each side of disc.
Tegmina: nearly flat, subrectangular, about 2.2 times
longer than broad; clavus closed, truncate apically, reach-
ing 3/4 of tegmen length.
Venation: C slightly distinct; Sc & R with short common
stem; first fork of M little beyond Sc-R separation; first
fork of Cu at level of A1-A2 reunion; A1 & A2 fused at
about 2/3 of clavus length.
Hind wings: well developed, about as broad as tegmina;
apex truncate; anal area well developed; reaching apex of
tegmina at rest; blackish without white marking.
Legs: fore and median femur and tibia dorso-ventrally
flattened, elongate, not foliaceous; tibia III with 3 lateral
and 9 apical spines; first hind tarsomere elongate; ventral
face without pad of microsetae, bearing a group of 12
spines near apex.
Genitalia ♂: pygofer with large baso-lateral processes;
anal tube dorso-ventrally compressed; gonostyli fused
ventrally, bearing elongate, dorso-anterior process; phal-
lic complex with elongate, sclerified process on each side
of median, partly membranous part.
Genitalia ♀: anal tube elongate, curved dorso-posterad,
narrow before, and lanceolate and v-shaped in cross-sec-
tion after anus, laminate ventrally; gonoplacs unilobous,
longer than high, nearly surpassed by anal tube; gona-
pophysis IX large, projecting postero-dorsad up to anal
tube, rounded apically; gonocoxae VIII like inflated,
subcylindrical pouch; gonapophysis VIII large, dorso-
ventrally flattened, rounded at apex; sternite VII strongly
modified, prolongated posteriorly in a large lamina with
strong, transversely oval emargination in middle of hind
margin; gonapophysis VIII visible from under in emar-
gination, surpassed on each side by sternite VII; anterior
vagina positioned ventrally, weakly sclerified, nearly as
long as posterior vagina; spermatheca attached apically;
posterior vagina subtriangular, concave ventrally, attenu-
ated at apex, bearing 5 - 6 weak ridges on attenuated
part; bursa copulatrix oval-shaped, larger than posterior
vagina, with barely distinct ornamentation on walls.
Sexual dimorphism: no evident sexual dimorphism has
been observed in the genus.
Size: about 9 - 11 mm
Distribution: Australia: Queensland and New South
Wales.
Biology: The only known species of the genus seems to
be associated with the tree genus Acacia (Mimosaceae).
Hackerobrachys viridiventris (Stål, 1863) n. comb.
Figs. 1 A-E, 2, plate 1 A-D, 2 A-D.
Olonia viridiventris Stål, 1863: 250.
Kirkaldy, 1906: 445 - Hacker, 1924: 40 & Fig. 13
- Metcalf, 1956: 66.
Etymology: viridiventris (Latin), from viridis = green
and venter - ventris = belly. The name is assumed to refer
to the colour of the abdomen.
Types examined: - Lectotype ♂ of Olonia viridiven-
tris Stål, 1863 present designation: [Moreton Bay]
[Stevens] [n. sp. (it has not been possible to decipher
the rest of the label)] [Lectotype ♂ Olonia viridiventris
Stål, 1863, J. Constant des., 2006] [Hackerobrachys
viridiventris (Stål, 1863) ♂, Dét. Jérôme Constant 2006]
– dissected, genitalia in glycerine; left tegmen missing
(NHRS).
Other material examined (19 ♂, 22 ♀, 4 ex.) – Aus-
tralia: New South waleS : 1 ♀: Eastwood, 28.XI.1981, S.
Martin [ASCT]; 1 ♂: Iluka, Clarence River, 25.II.1965,
D.K. McAlpine [AMS]; 4 ♂, 2 ♀: Towler’s Bay, W Pit-
twater, 27-29.I.1973, M.J. Fletcher [MJFC; 1 ♂, 1 ♀
IRSNB] – QueeNSl aNd: 1 ♀: Biggenden, Bluff Range
foothills, 01-07.I.1972, H. Frauca, [ANIC]; 1 ♀: Bribie
Island, XI.1921 [SAM]; 1 ♀: Brisbane, 01.VIII.1949, R.
Moller [UQIC]; 2 ♂, 2 ♀: Brisbane, 11.II.1922, H. Hacker
[USNM]; 2 ♂, 2 ♀: idem, 14.II.1922 [USNM]; 1 ♂, 2
♀, 1 ex.:idem [QM]; 1 ♂: idem [BMNH]; 1 ex.: idem,
20.IV.1922 [QM]; 1 ex.: idem, 23.III.1925 [QM]; 1 ♂:
idem, 29.IV.1922 [BMNH]; 1 ♀: Brisbane, 14-26.II.1986,
ex Malaise trap, J. Grimshaw & K. Sadler [QDPI]; 1 ♂:
Brisbane, 24.I.1965, leg H.A. Rose [UQIC]; 1 ♀: Brisbane,
30.III.1922 [SAM]; 1 ♂: Brisbane, VII.1915 [USNM]; 2
♀: Brisbane, Yeerongpilly DPI, 17.II-05.III.1984, B.K.
Cantrell [QDPI]; 2 ♀: Gayndah, I.1935 [QDPI]; 1 ♀:
Miva, V.1951, Lipsett [UQIC]; 1 ♂, 1 ex. (only right hind
wing left): Mount Cootha, I.1925, H. Hacker [USNM];
1 ♂: Mount Glorious, 15.I.1963, J. Bryan, [BPBM]; 1 ♀:
Nambour, 26.VII.1959, H.G.G. [UQIC]; 1 ♂: Nudgee,
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34 Jérôme CONSTANT
25.II.1922, H. Hacker [USNM]; 1 ♀: Palmwoods,
26.II.1926 [SAM]; 1 ♂: Southport, 26.IX.1926 [SAM]; 1
♀: Yarraman, 20.IV.1957, S. Sekhon [UQIC] - No local-
ity data: 1 ♂: 15.II.1899, Herbert Osborn Coll. [OSU].
Note: it seems interesting to mention that 24 out of the
45 specimens examined have been collected by Henry
Hacker who had identified a host-plant of the species
(Hacker, 1924).
Diagnosis: Only species of the genus.
Description: LT: ♂ (n = 9): 9.6 mm (8.9 to 10.9); ♀ (n =
10): 10.0 mm (9.0 to 10.8).
Head: frons, vertex and basal 1/2 of clypeus greenish
yellow to bright red; apical 1/2 of clypeus, labium and
often posterior 1/2 of vertex brown; ratio BV/LV = 3.5
- 4.6; BF/LF = 2.1 - 2.2.
Thorax: brown; ratio LP+LM/BT = 0.78 - 0.80.
Tegmina: brown, darker on costal 1/3; short, transverse,
white line at apico-costal angle; often short, transverse
white line at apico-sutural angle, always narrower than
apico-costal line; ratio LTg/BTg = 2.17 - 2.22.
Hind wings: uniformly blackish brown.
Legs: all legs brown; tibiae I and II roundly truncate api-
cally.
Abdomen: bluish green dorsally, yellowish ventrally.
Genitalia ♂: pygofer about as high as long basally, con-
stricted in middle in lateral view; gonostyli fused ventrally
on basal 2/3, convex, produced dorsally at apex, with
strong, dorso-anterior impression and curved process at
dorso-anterior angle; anal tube dorso-ventrally flattened,
elongate, rounded apically, lateral margins subparallel on
apical 2/3; phallic complex: see Figs 1 D & E.
Notes: - fresh specimens are covered with greyish brown,
dusty secretion.
- abdomen is orangish in some collection specimens. It is
possibly artifact due to mode of collect and conservation
(e.g. in ethanol).
A
B
CD E
Figs. 1 A-E — Hackerobrachys viridiventris. Genitalia ♂. A. pygofer, anal tube and gonostyli, left lateral view (An – anal tube;
G – gonostyli; Py – pygofer). B. pygofer and gonostyli, ventral view. C. anal tube, dorsal view. D. phallic complex,
dorsal view. E. phallic complex, left lateral view. Scale 1mm.
146270_Entomologie_076.indb 34 22-01-2007 09:38:17

Eurybrachidae Revision (VII): Hackerobrachys & Fletcherobrachys 35
Biology: The species seems to be restricted to the East-
ern part of Australia, with a distribution East of the Great
Dividing Range, from the level of Fraser Island south-
wards nearly to Sydney.
It seems to be associated with trees of the genus Acacia
(Mimosaceae): it has been collected on Acacia cunning-
hami Hook (Hacker, 1924). It has also been collected
with interception traps in Brisbane.
According to the observations of Peter, Sandy and Tony
Chew around Brisbane (Karawatha Park) from Decem-
ber 2004, the species is not scarce and can be found on
its host-plants: Acacia leiocalyx (Domin) Pedley subsp.
leiocalyx Pedley and Acacia fimbriata A. Cunn. ex G.
Don at that place, in a mixed forest of diverse species of
Eucalyptus and Acacia.
The species seems to be present all year round, while
33/45 (73 %) of the specimens examined have been col-
lected in January and February. It is anyway not formally
concluded that the species would be more abundant in
those months as most of those specimens are from series
collected by H. Hacker, who had identified one host-plant
and it is not known if Hacker had tried to collect the spe-
cies at other periods.
Plate 1 A-D — Hackerobrachys viridiventris. A-B. adult on a branch of Acacia sp. C-D. nymphs on twig of Acacia sp. (Photos
Peter Chew, Brisbane, Australia).
A B
C D
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36 Jérôme CONSTANT
A
B C D
E F
G H I
Plate 2 A-I — A-D. Hackerobrachys viridiventris. A. habitus ♀, dorsal view (LT = 10 mm). B. frons, normal view. C. head,
lateral view. D. right hind tarsus, ventral view. E-I. Fletcherobrachys stillata. E-F. habitus, dorsal view. E. male
(LT = 11 mm). F. female (LT = 13 mm). G. frons, normal view. H. head, lateral view. I. right hind tarsus, ventral
view.
146270_Entomologie_076.indb 36 22-01-2007 09:38:45

Eurybrachidae Revision (VII): Hackerobrachys & Fletcherobrachys 37
Genus Fletcherobrachys Constant, 2006 n. g.
Type-species: Platybrachys stillata Bergroth, 1907, by
original designation and monotypy.
Etymology: Name formed by the juxtaposition of the
words Fletcher, in honour of Dr. Murray J. Fletcher
(ASCT), the Homoptera specialist whose great help is
here acknowledged, and brachys (Greek word meaning
“short”) which is a common ending of the names of the
genera among the family Eurybrachidae. Gender arbi-
trarily feminine, following the use in the family.
Diagnosis: Medium sized, dark coloured. Differs from
all other Australian genera by the following combination
of characters: vertex more than 4 times broader than long;
clavus closed; hind wings partly white; apical process on
median tibiae of females. Australia.
Description: General coloration: brownish black and
red; hind wings partly white.
Head: about as broad as thorax; vertex 4.5-4.8 times
broader than long, slightly concave with fore and hind
margins curved and carinate; frons twice broader than
long, convex; disc longitudinally wrinkled; dorsal margin
nearly straight in normal view; clypeus reaching fore tro-
chanters; labium reaching hind trochanters, with last seg-
ment longer than broad, slender and acuminate, narrower
and shorter than penultimate; small hump between ven-
tral margin of eye and frons; no infra-ocular spine; ocelli
absent; antennae short, slightly surpassing lateral projec-
tion of frons but not eyes, not visible in dorsal view.
Thorax: about 1.2 times broader than length of pro- and
mesonotum together; pronotum with fore margin carinate
and second carina just behind, parallel to fore margin;
group of obsolete tubercles on each side of disc; mesono-
tum without carina; pro- and mesonotum wrinkled.
Tegmina: nearly flat, about 2.3 times longer than broad;
costal margin sinuate, sutural margin nearly straight; apex
roundly sub-cuneiform; clavus closed, truncate apically.
Venation: C obsolete; Sc & R separated close to base,
with short common stem; first fork of M at level of or
little beyond Sc-R separation; A1 & A2 fused at about
3/4 of clavus.
Hind wings: well developed; apex rounded; anal area well
developed; maximal breadth near base; black and white.
Legs: fore and median femur and tibia slender, dorso-
ventrally flattened; tibia II with external margin apically
Fig. 2 — Distribution of Hackerobrachys viridiventris and Fletcherobrachys stillata.
146270_Entomologie_076.indb 37 22-01-2007 09:38:46

38 Jérôme CONSTANT
truncate in males, showing process directed postero-ven-
trad in females; tibia III with 3 lateral and 9 apical spines;
first hind tarsomere elongate; ventral face without pad of
microsetae, bearing group of 10 - 12 spines near apex.
Genitalia ♂: pygofer higher than long; anal tube dorso-
ventrally flattened; gonostyli fused ventrally, bearing
baso-dorsal process directed cephalad; phallic complex
with elongate, externo-ventral, sclerified process on each
side of median, mainly membranous part that is scleri-
fied externally.
Sexual dimorphism: males very slightly smaller than
females and bearing normal median tibiae; median tibiae
of females prolongated externally by apicaly rounded
process directed postero-ventrad.
Size: ♂: 11 - 12 mm; ♀: 11 - 13 mm.
Distribution: Australia.
Biology: The only known species seems to be associated
with arid and semi-arid biotopes.
Fletcherobrachys stillata (Bergroth, 1907) n. comb.
Figs. 2, 3 A-E, 4 A-B, plate 2 E-I.
Platybrachys stillatus Bergroth, 1907: 289.
Platybrachys stillatus Bergroth, 1907: Metcalf,
1956: 59.
Olonia nigroapicata Jacobi, 1928: 5 n. syn.
Olonia nigroapicata Jacobi, 1928: Metcalf, 1956: 65.
Etymology: stillatus (Latin, adj.), from stillare = to drip.
The name is assumed to refer to the small spots on the
tegmina.
– nigroapicata: from niger, gra, grum (Latin, adj.) =
black and apex, icis (Latin) = apex, tip. The name is
assumed to refer to the colour of the hind wings.
Types examined: - Neotype ♂ of Platybrachys stillata
Bergroth, 1907 present designation: [23 km. WSW. of
Barradale, WA. 22.56S 114.45E 30 Mar. 1971 E.F. Riek]
[Neotype ♂ Platybrachys stillata Bergroth, 1907, J. Con-
stant des., 2006] [Fletcherobrachys stillata (Bergroth,
1907), Dét. Jérôme Constant 2006] – dissected, genitalia
in glycerine (ANIC).
Note: the type of P. stillata has not been found in the
Bergroth’s collection at the Zoological Museum of the
University of Helsinki (Finland) (Jaakko Kullberg, com.
pers.). Despite considerable investigation, it has also not
been possible to locate it in any other institution and it
is here considered as lost. A neotype that well matches
Bergroth’s description is designated hereabove in order
to stabilize nomenclature in the group.
- Lectotype ♀ of Olonia nigroapicata Jacobi, 1928
present designation: [Kimberley district] [N. V. Austr.
Mjöberg] [nov.] [Typus] [Typus] [Olonia nigroapicata
Jac. A. Jacobi determ.] [Lectotype ♀ Olonia nigroapicta
Jacobi, 1928, J. Constant des., 2006] [Fletcherobrachys
stillata (Bergroth, 1907), Dét. Jérôme Constant 2006]
(NHRS).
Other material examined: (5 ♂, 11 ♀) – Australia:
NoRtheRN teRRitoRy: 1 ♀: Simpson’s Gap, 17.V.1954,
Geel Coll. Exp. [MVMA]; 1 ♀: 180m N of Camp N°4
- Barclay Exp., 04.VII.1911, G.F. Hill [collecting place
was probably around MacDonnell Ranges, near Alice
Springs, at about 23°42’S 132°30’E (Ken Walker, com.
pers.)][MVMA]; South auStRalia: 1 ♀: Everard Ranges
(SA) to Warburton Range (WA), A. Brumby [SAM];
weSteRN auStRalia: 2 ♂: 10,5 km SE of Banjiwarn HS,
22-28.II.1980, on foliage of tree Grevillea, T.F. Houston
& al. [WAMP, IRSNB]; 1 ♀: 7,5 km SE of Banjiwarn
HS, WAMP dept of biological survey site BW Camp, 22-
28.II.1980, at light at night, T.F. Houston & al. [WAMP
]; 1 ♀: 18,5 km ENE of Yuinmery HS, WAMP dept of
biological survey site YYR7, 11-19.II.1980, T.F. Houston
& al. [WAMP ]; 1 ♂, 3 ♀: 23 km WSW of Barradale,
30.III.1971, E.F. Riek [ANIC, 1 ♀: IRSNB]; 1 ♀: Cross-
ing Pool, Chichester Range NP, 25.XI.1988, R.R. Snelling
& J. Grey [LBOB]; 1 ♀:Cue, A. Douglas [WAMP ]; 1
♂: N.W. Australia [MAMU]; 1 ♀:12 km S Meekatharra,
17-18.IX.1983, Malaise trap dry wash with white-barked
Eucalyptus, E.I. Schlinger & M.E. Irwin [INHS].
Diagnosis: Only species of the genus, immediately
recognized among all Australian Eurybrachidae by the
colour of hind wings (base red, rest white bordered with
black) and of the tegmina (blackish covered with small
paler spots).
Description: LT: ♂ (n = 5): 11.3 mm (10.9 to 12.1); ♀ (n
= 8): 12.1 mm (10.8 to 13.0).
Head: vertex black with margins brownish; frons, clypeus
and labium brown; sides of clypeus blackish; carina of
clypeus often reddish; ratio BV/LV = 4.5 - 4.8; BF/LF
= 2.0.
Thorax: blackish with carina, tubercles and median line
on pronotum, 3 longitudinal lines on disc of mesonotum
and scutellum, dark reddish brown; meso- and metaster-
num red; ratio LP+LM/BT = 0.81 - 0.84.
Tegmina: black to blackish brown, sometimes apical 1/3
paler; veins more or less suffused with red on basal 2/3;
white patch at apico-costal angle, often absent; numer-
ous, irregulary distributed, round spots all over tegmina,
small to medium-sized, white to yellow, orange or red;
membrane between tegmina and mesothorax red; ratio
LTg/BTg = 2.3.
Hind wings: base red, then black to first 1/4; white
oblique band to about 3/5; rest and costal cell black.
Legs: all coxae and trochanter III blackish and red; tro-
chanter I and II red; femora I and II blackish with median
line and margins dark red; tibiae I and II blackish with
carinae, base and apex dark red; femur and tibia III red-
dish black with tibio-femoral joint red and base of spines
and tarsi paler.
Abdomen: bluish green to orange with genital segments
black.
146270_Entomologie_076.indb 38 22-01-2007 09:38:47

Eurybrachidae Revision (VII): Hackerobrachys & Fletcherobrachys 39
Genitalia ♂: pygofer higher than long, with hind margin
sinuate; gonostyli fused ventrally, bearing, at inner apical
angle, elongate, curved process projecting dorso-caudad
and at medio dorsal angle, elongate, curved process pro-
jecting dorso-cephalad; anal tube with lateral margins
curved ventrad and apex concavely truncate in dorsal
view; phallic complex: see figs 3 D & E.
Genitalia ♀: anal tube elongate, narrow, curved,
directed postero-ventrad apically; v-shaped in cross sec-
tion and laminate ventrally beyond anus; anus at basal
1/3; gonoplacs large, unilobous, oval, longer than high,
not surpassing anal tube in length; gonapophysis IX
large, scimitar shaped, elongate, pointing postero dor-
sad at apex; gonocoxae VIII like inflated pouch with
latero-dorsal hump; gonapophysis VIII fused in large,
dorso-ventrally compressed lamina with lateral margins
inflated, not surpassing gonocoxae IX; anterior vagina
small, positioned ventrally; spermatheca attached api-
cally, with diverticulum ductus dilated; posterior vagina
large, about as broad as long, bearing longitudinal ridges
dorsally; bursa copulatrix smaller than posterior vagina,
attached apically, with distinct ornamentation.
Notes: - fresh specimens seem to be covered with reddish
brown, dusty secretion, with spots of tegmina and 4 spots
on mesonotum (2 along fore margin and 2 along hind
margin) covered with white, waxy secretion.
- it is not impossible that natural colour of abdomen is
bluish green and that orange colour in collection speci-
mens is artifact due to mode of collect and/or conser-
vation (e.g. in ethanol), as it has also been observed in
Hackerobrachys viridiventris.
Figs. 3 A-E — Fletcherobrachys stillata. Genitalia ♂. A. pygofer, anal tube and gonostyli, left lateral view (An – anal tube; G
– gonostyli; Py – pygofer). B. pygofer and gonostyli, ventral view. C. anal tube, dorsal view. D. phallic complex,
dorsal view. E. phallic complex, left lateral view. Scale 1 mm.
Figs. 4 A-B — Fletcherobrachys stillata. Right median tibia,
dorsal view. A. female. B. male. Scale 1 mm.
A
B
C D E
A
B
146270_Entomologie_076.indb 39 22-01-2007 09:38:48

40 Jérôme CONSTANT
Biology: The species is reported from the arid regions of
Western and Central Australia.
It has been trapped once at light, in a site with following
habitat: Casuarina L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.
and Acacia Mill. woodland (BW Camp, T. Houston,
com. pers.); 2 specimens have been caught on the foliage
of trees of the genus Grevillea R. Br. ex Knight (Pro-
teaceae) and one specimen has been collected in a site
described as “broad valley, with mulga (Acacia aneura F.
Muell. ex Benth., Mimosaceae) tall shrubland” (YYR7,
T. Houston, com. pers.). It seems to be present all year
long and not to be scarce at least locally as series of
several specimens have been collected in short time at
2 places.
Discussion
The genus Hackerobrachys is one of the Acacia-feeder
Eurybrachidae genera living in Australia. According
to its host-plants and to the shape of the male phallic
complex, it seems close to some other Australian genera,
e.g. Gelastopsis Kirkaldy 1906, Dardus Stål 1859...
(Constant, 2005).
Fletcherobrachys is the only genus of Eurybrachidae that
shows sexual dimorphism in the shape of the median tibia.
The signification of this modification in female tibiae is
not known but it is not impossible that it is related to the
laying of eggs as Eurybrachidae cover their egg clutches
with waxy secretion. According to the shape of the male
genitalia, the genus seems to be a member of the same
group as Hackerobrachys, Gelastopsis etc. It will be
interesting to know the host-plant(s) of Fletcherobrachys
stillata, as the other hereabove listed genera seem to be
associated with Acacia species (Mimosaceae).
If the present classification (Schmidt, 1908; Metcalf,
1956) is followed, the genera should be placed in the
Platybrachyini and this is provisionally followed here
although it is clear that the suprageneric classification of
Eurybrachidae will have to be reviewed.
Acknowledgements
I thank here all the curators listed above for the loan of the material,
Mr Peter Chew and his children Sandy and Tony (Brisbane, Australia)
for their unique field obsevations and the kind permission to use their
photos, Dr Ken Walker (MVMA) and Dr Terry Houston (WAMP) for
providing collect information about F. stillata, Dr Jaakko Kullberg
(Museum of Helsinki) for his help in trying to find the type of Platy-
brachys stillatus, Dr Lois O’Brien (Associate, University of Arizona,
Tucson, USA), Dr Jacek Szwedo (Museum and Institute of Zoology,
Warsaw, Poland) and Mr Pol Limbourg (IRSNB) for revising the
manuscript.
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Jérôme CONSTANT
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Department of Entomology
Vautier street 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
e-mail: entomo@naturalsciences.be
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