Establishing the Identity of Existing Names in the North AmericanEnchenopa binotataSpecies Complex of Treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

Abstract

The Enchenopa binotata species complex, which is restricted to eastern North America, is separated from the western and Neotropical species by the proportions of the front and middle tibiae. Three of its species are identifiable by reference to adult characters, and three existing names are applied to two of these species. A neotype specimen is designated for Enchenopa binotata (Say, 1824) and also for Enchenopa porrecta Buckton, 1901 to make these objective synonyms and to fix the former name on a common biological species that is monophagous on bittersweet, Celastrus (Sapindales: Celastraceae). Enchenopa brevis Walker is associated with a previously unreported species on leatherwood, Dirca (Myrtiflorae: Thymelaeaceae). Other species of Enchenopa from North America, recognizable from adult specimens, include one undescribed species from eastern North America on redbud, Cercis (Rosales: Fabaceae), plus two mainly Neotropical species here recorded for the first time from the southern states: Enchenopa sericea Walker from Arizona, and an undescribed species recently found in Texas.