Although hitherto seldom collected in SA, I have found P. pistacina to be extremely abundant across northern Eyre Peninsula in spring when its host Spear-grasses (Austrostipa spp.) are flowering or in early fruiting stages. Similar densities were also observed at a site in the NW region, indicating that it has a very wide distribution and is possibly one of the most common Buprestids in the State.

Hope 1846a originally named it as Agrilus pistacinus and commented: 'I received this minute species from the Adelaide settlement and have named it from its pistacine colour which soon fades after the death of the insect; it then becomes of a copper hue and is sometimes brassy.' The greyish-green colour of live specimens does approach that of the Pistachio nut Pistacia vera.

Adults are strongly associated with Austrostipa (Spear-grasses) and to date have mostly been found on three species from the falcate-awned group (A. nitida, A. pilata and A. drummondii). I have found evidence that Austrostipa is also the larval host . On some A. nitida tussocks on which adults were collected I have observed frass in the base of culms, and found associated larvae of subfamily Agrilinae that are of an appropriate size to be those of P. pistacina.