Ballophilus australiae Chamberlin, 1920

(Order Geophilomorpha, family Ballophilidae)

Ballophilus australiae is widespread on the eastern Australian mainland, but is so far only known from two Tasmanian localities: Bottle Creek on the West Coast (identified by Dick Jones, King's Lynn, UK) and West Head near Greens Beach (identified by Greg Edgecombe, Australian Museum). Because neither locality could be called 'undisturbed bush' and because coastal habitats seem to be rich in invaders, I am not yet convinced that B. australiae is a Tasmanian native. Additional records would be very welcome.

This striking species is readily identified by its distinctive antennae, tiny head and dark blue patches on the underside of the body. Full-grown specimens are ca. 25 mm long.

Localities for B. australiae.  Scale bar = 100 km.
For an interactive map with more up-to-date localities, go to the mapper page.

More information:
 
Taxonomy - Chamberlin (1920)