A new subfamily of the planthopper family Ricaniidae Amyot et Serville (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea)

Pharsalinae subfam. n. is erected in the family Ricaniidae Amyot et Serville for two monotypical genera Pharsalus Melichar, 1906 and Silvanana Metcalf, 1947 distributed in South America. The members of the new subfamily are characterized by the submacroptery, simple radius and anterior cubitus of the fore wing, the style capitulum bearing a lateral tooth, and the subrectangular (in lateral view) gonoplacs with partly separated third lobes and without marginal teeth. Pharsalus repandus Melichar, 1906 is recorded from Uruguay for the first time.     

The planthopper family Achilixiidae (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea): a synopsis with a revision of the genus Achilixius

Abstract The planthopper family Achilixiidae (Homoptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoroidea) is reviewed and the Oriental genus Achilixius Muir revised. As here defined, the family consists of two genera: Bobaiotes Muir ( Muirilixius Metcalf is here made a junior synonym, syn.n.) from the Neotropical region and Achilixius from the Oriental region. Sixteen Achilixius species are described or redescribed from Philippines, Sabah and Sulawesi. Females of undescribed species are also reported from the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. The following new species of Achilixius are described: Bakeri, irigae and mayoyae from the Philippines: fennahi and muiri from Sabah; minahassae, danaumoati, torautensis, fasciata, kolintangi, muajati and morowali from Sulawesi. A key to males is given. The following new combinations are established: Bebaiotes banksi (Metcalf), B.guianesus (Fennah) and B.nigrigaster Muir restored to its original combination, comb.rev. The relationship of Achilixiidae to other fulgoroid families is discussed.     

The plam-feeding planthopper genus Ommatissus (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Tropiduchidae)

Abstract The tribe Trypetimorphini, the genus Ommatissus , and its two subgenera and eleven species are redescribed or described as new. Evidence for the monophyly of both the genus and of the tribe to which it belongs is examined; it is concluded that while the genus is monophyletic, the monophyly of the tribe is in doubt. Keys for the separation of the three genera of the tribe and for all of the known species of Ommatissus are presented. A new subgenus of Ommatissus is described: O.(Opatissus) , with the type-species O.vietnamicus . Four new species are described: Ommatissus magribus from Morocco, O.kamerunus from Cameroon, O.natalensis from South Africa and O.vietnamicus from Vietnam. The 'Dubas bug', Ommatissus lybicus Bergevin, formerly regarded as a variety of O.binotatus Fieber, is raised to full species status. Trichoduchus is synonymized with Trypetimorpha resulting in the new combinations Trypetimorpha biermani Dammerman, T.china Wu and T.japonicus Ishihara. Trichoduchus japonicus Fennah is synonymized with Trypetimorpha japonicus Ishihara.     

A new subgenus and a new species of the planthopper family lophopidae (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea) from Papua New Guinea

A new subgenus, Acarnana subgen. n. with the type species Acarna karnyi Baker, is established in Acarna Stål. Acarna fulgoroides sp. n. from Papua New Guinea is described in the nominotypical subgenus. The subfamily Acarninae is downgraded to a tribe, its limits are extended.     

New and little-known taxa of the family Cixiidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea)

Six new genera and eight new species are described from South and Central Americas, South Africa, and Southeastern Asia. Illustrations of the male genitalia of the type species of the genera Duiliopsis Bergevin and Perindus Emeljanov are given. The generic name Duiliopsis is synonymized with Duilius Stål. The synonymy of the generic name Hemitropis Fieber with Duilius is supported.     

A modern classification of the family Caliscelidae Amyot et Serville (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea)

Recent changes in the classification of the family Caliscelidae Amyot et Serville are summarized. All the genera are attributed to tribes and subfamilies. Data on the distribution and the number of genera and species for each tribe are presented. The subfamily Ommatidiotinae is shown to be absent in the recent New World fauna, and only the tribe Peltonotellini represents the subfamily Caliscelinae in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.     

Modern classification and distribution of the family Issidae Spinola (Homoptera,Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea)

The modern classification of the family Issidae s. str. is presented according to which the family consists of 3 tribes: Issini, Hemisphaeriini, and Parahiraciini and comprises a total of 994 species and subspecies in 159 genera. The largest tribe, Issini, is distributed worldwide and comprises 129 genera with 755 species and subspecies. The tribes Hemisphaeriini and Parahiraciini are much smaller and mostly distributed in the Indo-Malayan Realm with some taxa also present in the Eastern Palaearctic and the Oceania. The tribe Hemisphaeriini consists of 15 genera with 187 species and subspecies while Parahiraciini includes 14 genera with 38 species. The Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan Realms have the richest faunas of Issidae. In contrast, Equatorial Africa has a very poor fauna of the family, whereas the Australian fauna is still almost undescribed. Chimetopon camerunensis Schmidt is recorded for the first time from Central African Republic and Gabon, and Sarima erythrocyclos Fennah, from Taveuni Island (Fiji).     

On the composition and distribution of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea)

The composition of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville, 1843 is revised. According to the synapomorphies in the structure of the male and female genitalia, the family Acanaloniidae s. str. comprises 4 New World genera: Acanalonia Spinola, 1839, Batusa Melichar, 1901, Chlorochara Stål, 1869, and Philatis Stål, 1862. Galapagosana Distant, 1909 and Euthiscia Van Duzee, 1923 are placed in synonymy to Philatis Stål, 1862. The taxonomic position of the genera Aylaella Demir et Ozdikmen, 2009 (replacement name pro Perinetia Lallemand et Synave, 1954), Hemithiscia Schmidt, 1912, Paraphilatis Melichar, 1912, Parathiscia Melichar, 1901, Pseudothiscia Schmidt, 1912, Thinea Melichar, 1912, and Thiscia Stål, 1862 is unclear and needs further study.     

Multiple cave invasions by species of the planthopper genus Oliarus in Hawaii (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae)

Although geologically young, the Hawaiian Islands harbour a rich and remarkably diverse fauna of terrestrial troglobites: more than 70 cave species are known from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, East Maui, and Hawaii Island. Among the more speciosc groups that have invaded the subterranean biome are the planthoppers (Homoptera Cixiidae) of the genus Oliarus. Five new obligately cavernicolous (troglobitic) Oliarus species which differ in their degree of troglomorphy and male genital structures, are described from lava tubes on the Hawaiian Islands: O. lorettae sp. nov. and O. makaiki sp. nov. from Hawaii Island, O. gagnei sp. nov. and O. ivaikau sp. nov. from Maui Island, and O. kalaupapae sp. nov. from Molokai Island. Short diagnoses of the two troglobitic species already known, 0. polyphemus Fennah, 1973 from Hawaii Island and 0. priola Fennah, 1973 from Maui are provided. Notes on the ecology and distribution of all cavernicolous species are given. Morphological evidence suggests that each of the seven cavernicolous Oliams species from Hawaii represents a separate, independent adaptive shift to underground environments. Potential relationships to the extant epigean species are discussed.     

New synonyms,combinations, and faunistic records of Western Palaearctic planthoppers of the family Issidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea)

Within the frame of the study of the Western Palaearctic Issidae, two generic and four specific synonyms are established: Logvinenkoana Gnezdilov, 2002 is placed as a synonym for Anatolodus Dlabola, 1982; Falcidiopsis Kusnezov, 1930, for Kervillea Bergevin, 1918; Hysteropterum ignavum Dlabola, 1981, for Aeluropsis karabachica Logvinenko, 1975; Hysteropterum alciranum Gnezdilov, 2003, for Hysteropterum alicantium Dlabola, 1986; Hysteropterum tangirum Matsumura, 1910, for Hysteropterum guadarramense Melichar, 1906, and Mycterodus syriacus Gnezdilov, 2008, for Mycterodus bicornutus Dlabola, 1986. Subgenus Corymbius Gnezdilov, 2002 is upgraded to genus. 12 new generic combinations are established: Aeluropsis karabachica Logvinenko, 1975, A. midica Logvinenko, 1975, Hysteropterum pictifrons Melichar, 1906 and H. transcaucasicum Melichar, 1914 are transferred to the genus Anatolodus Dlabola, 1982; Bubastia carinata Logvinenko, 1978 and B. parva Logvinenko, 1977, to the genus Inflatodus Dlabola, 1982; Quadrastylum tubulatum Dlabola, 1989, to the genus Rhissolepus Emeljanov, 1971; Hysteropterum laminatum Horváth, 1911, to the genus Libanissum Dlabola, 1980; Hysteropterum drahamense Linnavuori, 1965, to the genus Bergevinium Gnezdilov, 2003; Conosimus ochaninei Puton, 1890, to the genus Quadriva Ghauri, 1965; Hysteropterum guadarramense Melichar, 1906, to the genus Tingissus Gnezdilov, 2003; Agalmatium corsicum Dlabola, 1982, to the genus Fieberium Dlabola, 1980. New faunistic records are given for 18 species.     

Hybridization studies in the planthopper genus Ribautodelphax (Homoptera,Delphacidae)

Seven known Ribautodelphax species and four recently discovered taxa were crossed. Forty-three percent of the interspecific crosses were successful. Interspecific crosses generally resulted in low numbers of hybrids. In some combinations prolonged larval development of the hybrid males was observed. Backcrosses showed that both male and female hybrids were fertile. Reproductive isolation was mainly maintained by premating barriers. Insemination tests revealed that prolonged confinement of males and females lowered mating thresholds. The taxonomic status of the known species and new taxa was shown to be in need of revision. No indications for a hybrid origin of the pseudogamous triploid Ribautodelphax females were found.     

A new species and a new subspecies of the planthopper of the family Issidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea) from Greece

Tshurtshurnella konstanto sp. n. and Zopherisca tendinosa skaloula subsp. n. are described from Greece. T. konstanto differs from the all congeners in the male anal tube with the pointed and turned-up apex. Z. tendinosa skaloula subsp. n. differs from Z. tendinosa tendinosa in the presence of a transverse row of teeth on the dorsolateral phallobase lobes. Z. tendinosa tendinosa is distributed in Croatia, southern Bulgaria, and northwestern Greece, whereas Z. tendinosa skaloula subsp. n. occurs in southeastern Greece including the Peloponnesus.     

Revision of the tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea: Nogodinidae)

The tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 is revised, upgraded to the subfamily Colpopterinae, stat. n., and transferred from the family Issidae Spinola to Nogodinidae Melichar. The tribe Colpopterini is recorded from the Afrotropical Region for the first time—Bumerangum deckerti gen. et sp. n. is described from Southern Africa. The tribe Colpopterini s. str. comprises 6 genera: Bumerangum gen. n., Caudibeccus Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Colpoptera Burmeister, 1835, Jamaha Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Neocolpoptera Dozier, 1931, and Ugoa Fennah, 1945. The genera Cheiloceps Uhler, 1895, Tempsa Stål, 1866, Eupilis Walker, 1857, and Gabaloeca Walker, 1870 are transferred to the tribe Issini Spinola of the family Issidae. Issus longulus Lethierry, 1890 is transferred to the genus Colpoptera Burmeister. A key to the genera and a list of the species of the tribe Colpopterini are given. Morphological data confirming independent evolution of similar ovipositor types in the families Issidae and Nogodinidae are provided. The term “styletization” is suggested for describing the transformation of the ovipositor from a rounded to an elongate type.     

Evolutionary transformations of abdominal wax-plates in the larvae of the Fulgoroidea (Homoptera,Cicadina)

The main patterns of wax-plates in the nymphs of Fulgoroidea are reviewed in the ontogenetic and phylogenetic aspects. A hypothesis of the common origin of the sensory pits and wax glands of the Fulgoroidea is proposed. The morphological coordination of the sensory pits and wax-glands is discovered. Each elementary waxplate (wax plaque) is derived from a solitary wax gland, which is associated with a definite sensory pit of the ground plan and regulated by a stable ontogenetic program. Each subsequent instar is characterized by appearance of one additional sensory pit and one elementary wax-plate, arising from one primary wax gland.     

Host plant relations in the planthopper genus Ribautodelphax (Homoptera, Delphacidae)

ABSTRACT. 1. Host plant relations of closely related species and pseudogamous triploid forms of the planthopper genus Ribautodelphax were studied.
2. From field data and experimental results it is concluded that eleven European Ribautodelphax species and undescribed taxa are monophagous or oligophagous on different grass species. Only two Ribautodelphax species are found on the same grass species in the field.
3. Differential host plant relations indicate that four recently discovered taxa are probably true species.
4. Ribautodelphax species show a more restricted host plant range in choice experiments compared with breeding tests.
5. Choice experiments indicate no differences in host plant preference between males and females of two Ribautodelphax species.
6. No differences are found in host plant relations between bisexual species and associated pseudogamous triploid forms.     

New planthoppers of the tribe Achilini (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea, Achilidae) from Baltic amber

New taxa of Achilini (Achilidae) are described from Baltic amber: Paratesum rasnitsyni gen. et sp. nov., Protomenocria notata gen. et sp. nov., Psycheona variegata gen. et sp. nov., P. striata sp. nov. Protepiptera kaweckii Usinger, 1939 (= Cixidia christinae Lefebvre, Bourgoin et Nel, 2007, syn. nov.) is redescribed with designation of a neotype. “Cixius” testudinarius Germar et Berendt, 1856, “C.” longirostris Germar et Berendt, 1856 and “Oliarus” oligocenus Cockerell, 1910 are transferred to Achilini. A key to the genera of Achilidae known from Baltic amber is provided.     

First record of the littoral family Isotogastruridae (Collembola) in Asia

The new species Isotogastrura trichaetosasp. n. isdescribed from a sand beach of Hainan, South China. It differs from all its congeners by 3+3 axial setae on Abd. IV (vs. 2+2) and by the presence of a pair of tubercles on Abd.VI. The geography of this strictly littoral genus is discussed.     

New cavernicolous cixiid from New Zealand (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

Confuga persephone n.gen. & sp. (Cixiidae) is described from a cavernicolous population in Nelson Province, New Zealand. Most of its generic characters can be matched separately in other endemic genera, but it appears not to be closely related to any one of them. Malpha duniana Myers is transferred to Aka White.     

First record of the beetle family Biphyllidae (Coleoptera) in Korea

The Biphyllidae including four species, Biphyllus lewisi (Reitter), B. marmoratus (Reitter), B. rufopictus (Wollaston) and B. throscoides (Wollaston), are discovered for the first time in Korea. A key, habitus photographs and illustrations of diagnostic characters of the species are presented.     

First record of the Australian psyllid Ctenarytaina spatulata Taylor (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in Europe

Abstract: The Australian species Ctenarytaina spatulata Taylor (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is reported from Europe for the first time. In August of 2002, it was recorded in several eucalyptus plantations in central Portugal. During August and September of 2002, the insect was apparently circumscribed to the area between rivers Douro and Tagus, being absent in the North and South of the country. In February of 2003, C. spatulata was already present all over the country and also in every place we inspected in Spain, namely in Galicia, Extremadura and Andalucia regions. The dispersion of the insect suggests that its introduction in Iberian forests is recent. At the moment, damages were observed in plantations located in northern and central Portugal, and also in the north of Spain. Predation on C. spatulata by spiders, green lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae, Syrphinae), ladybeetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), and minute pirate bugs (Hemiptera, Anthocoridae) was observed in the field.