Genus Melanoclypeus Löcker & Fletcher, 2006

Museums

Regional Maps

• Melanoclypeus Löcker, B. & Fletcher, M.J. in Löcker, B., Fletcher, M.J., Larivière, M.-C., Gurr, G.M., Holzinger, W.E. & Löcker, H. 2006. Taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of the Gelastocephalini (Hemiptera: Cixiidae). Invertebrate Systematics 20: 59-160 [122].

  Type species:

   Melanoclypeus cristatus Löcker & Fletcher, 2006 by original designation.

Introduction

A genus with two species, one from two widely separated localities in Queensland and the other from inland New South Wales. One species has been collected from Eucalyptus largiflorens F. Muell. (Myrtaceae), black box. Females can be identified to the level of genus but species differentiation is based on male genitalia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NSW, Qld, Vic: Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Riverina (RIV), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Diagnosis

Colour. Vertex yellow to orange, central part mid brown; face pale yellow to orange, apical portion of anteclypeus dark brown; pronotum yellow; mesonotum dark brown to black; legs pale yellow to light brown; forewing hyaline light brown with mid brown, white and yellow areas often forming transverse band across wing at level of pterostigma, veins and tubercles concolorous with cells; abdominal sternites mid to dark brown, intersegmental membranes pale yellowish. Morphology. Body length. ♂ 3.4–4.0 mm, ♀ 5.4 mm. Head. Tip of head obtusely angled in lateral view. Vertex 1.1–1.6× longer than wide, produced before eyes by 1/4–1/2 of an eye length; apex narrowly rounded or truncate; caudal border v-shaped; lateral carinae strongly elevated; median carina incomplete, less than 1/4 as long as vertex. Frons 1.9–2.3× longer than wide, position of maximum width distinctly ventrad of centre of frontoclypeal suture; lateral carinae slightly s-shaped, strongly elevated; median carina absent. Frontoclypeal suture semicircular, median part reaching or not reaching lower margin of antennal scape; postclypeus and anteclypeus with well developed median carina. Thorax. Hind margin of pronotum obtusely angled. Forewing 3.0–3.5× longer than wide; concavity at costal border absent; Sc+R+M forming common stem; position of icu at CuP at same level as apex of clavus. Hind with six apical teeth in row interrupted by a wide gap; 1st tarsomere with seven apical teeth and no platellae; 2nd tarsomere with eight apical teeth and six platellae. Male genitalia. Genital styles narrowly spoon-shaped. (Löcker et.al. 2006)

ID Keys

Fletcher, M.J., Löcker, B., Larivière, M.C. and Löcker, H. (2006). Illustrated Key to the Australian Genera of the Planthopper Tribe Gelastocephalini (Hemiptera: Cixiidae: Fulgoromorpha) http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/cixiid/gelastocephalini/gel00.htm

Diagnosis References

Löcker, B., Fletcher, M.J., Larivière, M.-C., Gurr, G.M., Holzinger, W.E. & Löcker, H. 2006. Taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of the Gelastocephalini (Hemiptera: Cixiidae). Invertebrate Systematics 20: 59-160 [122]

History of changes