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

Abstract

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).