First record of the leafhopper genus Varicopsella Hamilton, 1980 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) in China, with descriptions of a new subgenus and new species, a checklist, and a key to species.

Hu Li,Ren-Huai Dai,Zi-Zhong Li,Daniela Takiya,Peter Kerr

doi:10.1093/jis/14.1.125

Hu Li, Ren-Huai Dai + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1093/jis/14.1.125

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Abstract

A new monobasic leafhopper subgenus, Varicopsella ( Multispinulosa ) Li, Dai, and Li, subgen. nov., of the subfamily Macropsinae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Membracoidea: Cicadellidae) is proposed to accommodate Varicopsella ( Multispinulosa ) hamiltoni Li, Dai, and Li, sp. nov.from Guangxi province of China. The new subgenus and new species are described and illustrated. They can be distinguished mainly by characteristics of the fore wings with two anteapical cells; weak dorsoventrally flattened body; aedeagal shaft with paired apical processes on ventral margin; and the shape of the dorsal connective. An updated checklist and an illustrated key for identification of the species of Varicopsella along with geographical distributions of the species are given.

Highlights

The oriental leafhopper genus VaricopsellaHamilton, 1980 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Membracoidea: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) was established by Hamilton (1980) for six species from the Oriental region (Philippines and Borneo), with Macropsis breakeyi Merino, 1936 as its type species by original designation
Considering the vast land and abundant resources, macropsine fauna are likely to be richer in southern China, including the genus Varicopsella
Deposited in our collection from Guangxi Province of China, two specimens were found that bear the distinct generic characteristics of Varicopsella: the fused sclerites between lora and frons on face, and the independently evolved dorsal connectives and pygofer processes in males. These specimens have been identified as a new species of Varicopsella, and on the basis of the distinctive feature that the fore wings of the new species have two anteapical cells, we propose to place it in a new subgenus

Summary

Introduction

The oriental leafhopper genus VaricopsellaHamilton, 1980 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Membracoidea: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) was established by Hamilton (1980) for six species from the Oriental region (Philippines and Borneo), with Macropsis breakeyi Merino, 1936 as its type species by original designation. First record of the leafhopper genus Varicopsella Hamilton, 1980 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) in China, with descriptions of a new subgenus and new species, a checklist, and a key to species. (1980) for six species from the Oriental region (Philippines and Borneo), with Macropsis breakeyi Merino, 1936 as its type species by original designation.

Results

Conclusion