| The Family Derbidae has been very poorly studied in Australia despite the
fact that it is well represented, particularly in the tropical North. Derbids are often
delightfully delicate insects and the Australian fauna includes species of Swezeyia
and Zoraida that are good examples of this. Two
species have been recorded from New Zealand but only one of these, Eocenchrea maorica,
has been confirmed [update: 12.ii.2001]. The Indonesian fauna is very rich, as can be expected for a family associated with wet tropical forests. [update: 2.iv.2003] The short apical segment of the rostrum is diagnostic for the family. Some derbid species have the outer claval vein lightly but distinctly granulated and may therefore be mistaken for Meenoplidae which have heavy granulations on this claval vein but they can always be distinguished as derbids by the apical segment of the rostrum. |
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Document 6932, submitted 08 June 2007 © State of New South Wales through NSW Department of Primary Industries 2007Top of page | Related titles |
