Poeciloptera acuta Walker 1851: 448
Synonyms: Poeciloptera cupido Walker 1851: 448; Cromna elegans Costa 1864: 149; Phalaenesthes schauinslandi Kirkaldy 1899: 359

Type: Holotype female (by monotypy) "N. Holl." (= New Holland, = Australia), in BMNH

Distribution: Qld, NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas, SA, WA, Norfolk Island, NZ, Hawaii, USA (California) 
[update: 1.v.2001], S. Africa [update: 17.xii.2002]

Note: This is the most widespread and best known species of Australian Flatidae, although many of the records appear to include misidentifications of S. hebes and possibly other species as well. The habitus, head and genitalia were illustrated by Fletcher (1985: Figs 1-2, 89, 125-128).
 

Siphanta acuta (Walker)

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of Australian Flatidae

Siphanta hebes (Walker)

Poeciloptera hebes Walker 1851: 464
Synonyms: Poeciloptera atomaria Walker 1858b: 56, Siphanta breviceps Kirkaldy 1906: 454, Siphanta stigma Distant 1910a: 304

Type: Holotype female (by monotypy) N.S. Wales, 47 (or 49?)/22, in BMNH

Distribution: Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas, Vic, WA

Note: This species is very similar to S. acuta in appearance and distribution and is also very common. Generally, specimens of S. hebes are smaller than those of S. acuta, although the variation in size in both species means it is often difficult to identify individual specimens. Fletcher (1985: Figs 19-20, 97, 161-164) provides illustrations of the habitus, head and genitalia.
 

Siphanta hebes (Walker)

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of Australian Flatidae

Siphanta angularis Fletcher

Siphanta angularis Fletcher 1985: 8

Type: Holotype male, Imbil State Forest, Qld, 5.xi.1957, T.E. Woodward, Reg. No. T.9386 in QM

Distribution: Qld

Note: A large species with the sutural angle slightly produced dorsally. It has been collected from avocado. Illustrations of the habitus, head and genitalia have been provided by Fletcher (1985: Figs 5-6, 90, 133-136).
 

Siphanta angularis Fletcher

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of Australian Flatidae

Siphanta eberhardi Fletcher

Siphanta eberhardi Fletcher 1985: 10

Type: Holotype male, on avocado, Alstonville, 15km E. of Lismore, NSW, 11.iii.1981, M.J. Fletcher & G.R. Brown, in ASCU.

Distribution: Qld, NSW

Note: Very similar in appearance to S. angularis. Plant species on which this species has been collected include avocado, jackfruit, guava and mango. Illustrations of the habitus, head and genitalia were provided by Fletcher (1985: 9-10, 92, 141-144).
 

Siphanta eberhardi Fletcher

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of Australian Flatidae

Siphanta tropica Fletcher

Siphanta tropica Fletcher 1985: 18

Type: Holotype male, Dunk Island, Qld, viii.1927, H. Hacker, Reg.No.T9390 in QM

Distribution: Qld

Note: S. tropica differs from the other species that key out here by having the red coloration on the head and legs reduced, the lateral margins of the frons evenly convex, without a prominence level with the antennae and with the sutural angle of the tegmen right-angled or almost so. However, these features are not sufficiently distinctive to provide diagnosis on their own. The habitus, head and genitalia were figured by Fletcher (1985: Figs 31-32, 100, 185-188).
 

Siphanta tropica Fletcher

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of Australian Flatidae

Document 7434, submitted 30 May 2008
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