Notes on Neotropical Proconiini (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). VIII: morphology of the male and female genitalia of Paraulacizes munda, revalidated from synonymy of P. confusa

Gabriel Mejdalani,Rodney Ramiro Cavichioli

doi:10.1590/s1984-46702015000500009

Gabriel Mejdalani, Rodney Ramiro Cavichioli

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-46702015000500009

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Abstract

Paraulacizes munda (Fowler, 1899) has been considered a junior synonym of P. confusa (Signoret, 1855). These two species were described from Mexico. Here it is shown that P. munda can be distinguished from P. confusa by the color and size of the body. Hence, the former is revalidated from synonymy of the latter. Descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia of P. munda, which are necessary for an accurate identification of leafhopper species in general, are provided for the first time. Paraulacizes munda can be distinguished from the other 11 species currently included in Paraulacizes by the following combination of features: ground color of anterior dorsum yellow or pale yellow; dorsal processes of male pygofer strongly inflated apically; style with apex transversely truncate, not projected inward; atrial processes of aedeagus, in lateral view, not distinctly curved apically; female sternite VII with small median lobe on posterior margin and pair of dark brown marks posteromedially. This is the first detailed description of the first and second ovipositor valvulae of a Paraulacizes species. The female genitalia of Paraulacizes are compared with those of the related genera Aulacizes Amyot & Serville, 1843 and Proconosama Young, 1968.

Highlights

It is shown that P. munda can be distinguished from P. confusa by the color and size of the body
Descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia of P. munda, which are necessary for an accurate identification of leafhopper species in general, are provided for the first time
Our interpretation of P. munda is in accordance with the original description and illustration of FOWLER (1899), as well as with the illustrations provided by YOUNG (1968) of the anterior dorsum and sternite VII of the female lectotype of this species

Summary

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Techniques for preparation of the male and female genitalia follow OMAN (1949) and MEJDALANI (1998), respectively. Anterior dorsum yellow or pale yellow, except for yellowish-orange scutellum, with dark brown marks as follows: crown with basal small triangle, median longitudinal complete line, and pair of curved lines extending from near ocelli to apical portion, bordering upper limit of muscle impressions of frons and connected posteriorly to longitudinal line over each temporal suture; pronotum with pair of curved lines on anterior third behind eyes and pair of longer curved lines on posterior half, almost touching each other medially, smaller marks present on pronotal disc; mesonotum with irregular maculae basally and pair of lines over transverse sulcus. The lectotype of Tettigonia confusa, a male (NHMW; Fig. 18 – body in dorsal view), was designated by YOUNG & BEIER (1963)

DISCUSSION

LITERATURE CITED