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.     

First record of the planthopper family Kinnaridae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea) in Chile

A new genus and a new species, Apocathema lukashevitshae (family Kinnaridae) from Central Chile (the La Campana National Park, Valparaiso Region) belonging to the tribe Prosotropini which was known earlier only from Central America (Panama and the Antilles) is described. The species was collected from the bamboo Chusquea sp.     

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 delphacid genus Sogatella and related groups: a revision with special reference to rice-associated species (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

Abstract. The delphacid planthopper genus Sogatella Fennah is redefined and a key provided to males of the fourteen included species. The type-species of Sogatodes Fennah, S.molinus Fennah is considered to be a Sogatella species and consequently Sogatodes becomes a junior subjective synonym of Sogatella. The remaining species of Sogatodes are transferred to Tagosodes gen.n . (type species T.cubanus (Crawford) comb.n. ). Latistria Huang et al. or Sogatellana Kuoh. A key is provided to distinguish the four genera. A check list of species in each genus is given. Several species are important rice pests and information on biology and pest status is summarized.     

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.     

The genus Numicia from economic plants in the Oriental Region (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

The Oriental genus Kusuma Distant is synonymized with Numicia Stal which was formerly considered to be African. Tambinia maculosa Distant is transferred to Numicia and Kusuma carinata Distant synonymized with it. Numicia maculosa pusana ssp.n. from sugar cane, Numicia graminivora sp.n. from golf club grass and Numicia graminivora sinensis ssp.n. are described. N.maculosa (Distant) is redescribed and all forms are illustrated and keyed.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

Six new cavernicolous cixiid planthoppers in the genus Solonaima from Australia (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

Abstract The monophyletic genus Solonaima , endemic to northern Queensland, is reviewed and six new species are described: S.sullivani sp.n., S.pholetor sp.n., S.stonei sp.n., S.halos sp.n., S.irvini sp.n. and S. baylissa sp.n. The previously known epigean species, S.solonaima Kirkaldy and S.pallesens (Distant) are illustrated and redescribed. The six new species represent four separate independent cave invasions and nearly double the number of known cavernicolous cixiids in the world. This is the first report of a closely related group of cave-dwelling Homoptera showing varying degrees of cave adaptation. One facultative cave species, S.sullivani , shows virtually no modification from surface relatives. Two species, S.pholetor and S.stonei , show some eye, colour, and wing-reduction, but they are still flighted and are considered facultative cave species. S.halos and S. irvini are nearly blind and have reduced, non-functional wings and are considered obligate cave species. S. baylissa , the most remarkable obligate cave species, is highly modified: eyeless, nearly wingless and colourless. The evolutionary trends displayed in cave adaptation are illustrated and discussed. These include reduction in body colour, eyes and wings, alteration of head and thorax shape, and possibly simplification of the male genitalia. The geology of the caves is complex and ranges from greater than 5-million-year-old caves in Silurian-aged metamorphosed limestone to 190,000-year-old lava tubes. The facultative species are generally found in the most open caves, the two intermediate obligate species are found in deeper caves, and the most highly modified species is restricted to damp cave passages with high CO₂ levels. There is no correlation between the ages of the caves and the degree of cave adaptation.     

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.     

Notes on planthoppers of the tribe Hemisphaeriini (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea, Issidae) from Vietnam with a description of a new genus and a new species

A new genus and a new species of the tribe Hemisphaeriini Melichar of the family Issidae Spinola are described from Northern Vietnam. Lectotype of Hemisphaerius interclusus Noualhier, 1896 is designated. New data on the distribution and ecology of H. interclusus and H. hippocrepis Constant et Pham, 2011 in Southern Vietnam are provided.     

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.     

A new genus and a new species of the planthopper tribe Eucarpiini (Homoptera,Cixiidae) from Southern Vietnam

A new genus, Pterolophus gen. n., was erected for the single species P. anichkini sp. n. from southern Vietnam. The new genus belongs to the tribe Eucarpiini and differs in a characteristic position of the wings at rest: they are obliquely raised over the abdomen and their inner (= ventral) surfaces are in contact.     

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.     

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.     

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.