Type species: Achilus flammeus Kirby 1818, by monotypy

Known species: The type species is the only Australian species. Other species from Africa and South America may not be congeneric.

Distribution: Eastern and Southern Australia with the exception of Tasmania and Western Australia. Achilus flammeus is also present in New Zealand, possibly introduced.

Comments: The type species, known as the "red fungus bug", is the most widely distributed member of the Australian Achilini having been collected from Mt Gambier in South Australia to southern Queensland. The bright red coloration of A. flammeus is distinctive. Fennah (1950) also distinguished the genus by the vertex not being depressed, the second segment of the antennae projecting past the eyes (dorsally), and the convex and rounded shape of the tegmina. In addition to these characters, the vertex is approximately twice as wide as long.
 

Document 5785, submitted 26 April 2006
This document is made available subject to the conditions
outlined in the disclaimer and copyright statement.

© NSW Agriculture, 2006