Genus Putoniessiella Evans, 1969
Compiler and date details
13 February 2012 - Murray J. Fletcher
- Putoniessiella Evans, J.W. 1969. Characteristics and components of Ledrinae and some new genera and new species from Australia and New Guinea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Pacific Insects 11(3-4): 735-754 [746].
Type species:
Putoniessiella sagitta Evans, 1969 by original designation.
Introduction
This genus and Thymbrella were both described by Evans (1969) who did not give a method of separating them. Putoniessiella was compared with Putoniessa Kirkaldy only and Thymbrella was compared with Rhotidus Walker and Thymbris Kirkaldy. In keys to the genera of Thymbrini provided by the compiler (Fletcher, M.J. (2005) Illustrated Key to the Genera of the Tribe Thymbrini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Tartessinae) http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/leafhop/tartessinae/thym00.htm [accessed: 13.ii.2012]) Putoniessiella and Thymbrella, both of which occur in SW Western Australia, key out together and cannot be separated. Further obfuscating the limits of the two genera, Evans states that the male genitalia of Putoniessiella have a bilobed aedeagus and sword-like pygophore process, however his illustration of the type species, P. sagitta, shows no sword-like pygophore process although the aedeagus is bilobed and is drawn with what appears to be a long basal process. In contrast, no mention is made of the male genitalia in the description of Thymbrella although the illustration of the type species, T. tamminensis, shows a pronounced elongate dorsal pygofer process. Until the holotype males of both type species are examined and some valid generic features are clearly defined, the status of both genera remains unclear. Putoniessiella is only known from the type locality, Tammin in the Avon Wheatbelt of Western Australia.
Distribution
States
Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
Australian Endemic.
IBRA
WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW)
Diagnosis
The face of the head, which is as wide as long, is convex. The anteclypeus, which extends narrowly beyond the inner apices of the maxillary plates is not declivous. The antennal ledges are oblique and do not extend as far as the eyes on each side. The ocelli, which are marginal in position, are visible neither in ventral nor dorsal aspect and are nearer to the apex of the head than to the eyes. The crown of the head, which is flat, is considerably longer in the centre than against the eyes. The pronotum is almost flat. The tegmina are long and narrow and have complete venation and small appendices. On the heavily armed hind tibiae there are seven spines in the row of strongest spines and six spines on the outer edge on prominent bases, increasing in size from the base to the apex. The male genitalia have a bilobed aedeagus and sword-like pygophore processes. Putoniessiella superficially resembles Putoniessa Kirkaldy. It differs from Putoniessa in the shape of the face and the crown of the head and in the position of the ocelli. While the aedeagi of some Putoniessa spp are also bilobed, the proximal processes are longer than the distal ones, unlike with Putoniessiella where the reverse situation obtains (Evans 1969).
ID Keys
Fletcher, M.J. (2005) Illustrated Key to the Genera of the Tribe Thymbrini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Tartessinae) http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/leafhop/tartessinae/thym00.htm [accessed: 13.ii.2012]
Diagnosis References
Evans, J.W. 1969. Characteristics and components of Ledrinae and some new genera and new species from Australia and New Guinea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Pacific Insects 11(3-4): 735-754 [746–747]
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Sep-2011 | 20-Sep-2011 | MOVED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |