Abstract
A recent molecular-based assessment of the psyllid fauna of New Zealand reported two genetically distinct, undescribed psyllid taxa on host plants not native to that country. Here, a morphological examination confirmed species-level variation that resulted in the description of two new psyllid species: Acizzia errabunda sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from Acacia baileyana F. Muell and Ctenarytaina insularis sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) from Syzygium smithii (Poir.) Nied. Furthermore, the examination of specimens from entomological collections and from observations recorded on an online database enabled a better understanding of the distribution and host plant associations of these psyllid species. The description of A. errabunda is based on material collected in both New Zealand and Australia from the same plant species, A. baileyana, whereas the psyllid C. insularis has been found to be present in Brunei and New Zealand on S. smithii and in New Caledonia on Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake.
Highlights
The superfamily Psylloidea (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) includes almost 4000 species described worldwide [1], with Australasia being a hotspot for the psyllid biodiversity [1, 2]
The morphology of the psyllids analysed here parallels the extent of DNA barcode divergence results for these two taxa and justifies their description as new species
In the case of Acizzia errabunda, the morphology confirmed a strong similarity with the species A. jucunda, which was reported to be the most closely related species based on cytochrome oxidase gene (COI) divergence [18]
Summary
The superfamily Psylloidea (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) includes almost 4000 species described worldwide [1], with Australasia being a hotspot for the psyllid biodiversity [1, 2]. International interest in this group of hemipterans has increased since the discovery that some species are vectors of economically significant plant pathogens Psyllid taxonomy and systematics is of primary importance, for a better understanding of worldwide biodiversity, and in order to recognise new or invasive species essential for international biosecurity and plant protection.
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