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Abstract. Cixiid planthoppers have been shown to vector phloem-limited prokaryotes associated with plant diseases world-wide. In eastern France, an emerging disease of sugar beet called syndrome "basses richesses" has been associated with phloem-restricted bacteria transmitted by a cixiid planthopper within the genus Pentastiridius. Early investigation suggested the species being Pentastiridius beieri. On the basis of a morphological and phylogenetic study we report the identification of the planthopper as Pentastiridius leporinus. Furthermore we report some biological traits of the species, which shows a surprising ecological adaptation to an annual cropping rotation sugar beet-winter cereals.

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As part of the ongoing revision of the Australian Cixiidae, here we revise the endemic genus Chidaea Emeljanov, 2000. Examination of the holotype of Cixius sidnicus Stål, 1859 revealed that it is not congeneric with Cixius nervosus (Linnaeus, 1758) but belongs to the hitherto monotypic genus Chidaea resulting in the new combination Chidaea sidnicus (Stål, 1859). Chidaea dayi Emeljanov, 2000 is redescribed and thirteen new species are described: Chidaea algida sp. nov., Ch. armidalensis sp. nov., Ch. belairensis sp. nov., Ch. bobadeenensis sp. nov., Ch. carinata sp. nov., Ch. crassa sp. nov., Ch. dickinsonorum sp. nov., Ch. etelis sp. nov., Ch. kimbaensis sp. nov., Ch. orangensis sp. nov., Ch. pulyonna sp. nov., Ch. punctata sp. nov., and Ch. wilarra sp. nov. An identification key to species of Chidaea and to Australian genera of Cixiini is presented. Host plant relationships and distribution are discussed. Chidaea is endemic to Australia and occurs in all states and territories apart from the Northern Territory.

Abstract. Ten ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from three subfamilies feed on honeydew excreted by nymphs of the leafhopper Balclutha punctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). This relationship is facultative for the partners. Preliminary field observations suggest a mutualistic interaction that represents an intermediate stage in the spectrum of formicid-hemipteran mutualisms. Behavioural adaptations of the leafhopper (no escape reaction) and the ants (no predation of leafhoppers, protection from spiders) are evident, but characters of advanced facultative mutualism such as physical contact between the partners or ant-triggered excretion of honeydew were not observed.

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