Genus Solonaima Kirkaldy, 1906

Museums

Regional Maps

• Solonaima Kirkaldy, G.W. 1906. Leafhoppers and their natural enemies. Bulletin of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Experimental Station Entomological Series 1(9): 271-479 [396].

  Type species:

   Solonaima solonaima Kirkaldy, 1906 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   Hoch, H. & Howarth, F.G. 1989. Six new cavernicolous cixiid planthoppers in the genus Solonaima from Australia (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Systematic Entomology 14: 377-402 [378].
• Talaloa Distant, W.L. 1907. Rhynchotal Notes. xli. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 19: 277-295 [294].

  Type species:

   Talaloa pallescens Distant, 1907 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Muir, F. 1925. On the genera of Cixiidae, Meenoplidae and Kinnaridae. (Fulgoroidea, Homoptera). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 1(3): 97-110 [104] (Synonymy of Talaloa Distant)

Introduction

The genus Solonaima Kirkaldy is endemic to Queensland where seven species are epigean and the remaining six are cavernicolous, mainly in the lava flow caves near Chillagoe. The cavernicolous species show varying degrees of morphological adaptations for cave-dwelling life, the most extreme being S. baylissa which is eyeless, nearly wingless and colourless. (Hoch & Howarth 1989)

Hoch (1988) provided a key for the separation of seven epigean species of the genus while Hoch & Howarth (1989) provided a key for the separation of eight species of the genus which did not include the five species described as new by Hoch (1988).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Diagnosis

Moderately large cixiids with wings shallowly tectiform. Vertex concave, with lateral margins strongly ridged, divided into anterior and posterior portions by a tranverse carina; posterior portion nearly vertical with lateral margins diverging posteriorly. Frons and clypeus narrow, centrally and laterally ridged; lateral margins convex and directed anterolaterad. Frons slightly broadened beneath eyes. Rostrum elongate, almost attaining anterior margin of genital segment. Median ocellus in epigean species distinctly present, in cavernicolous species reduced or absent. Antennal segments elongate, cylindrical, second segment 2–3 x as long as first. Pro- and mesonotum tricarinate. Tegmina translucent to hyaline; Sc + R branch distad of basal third, and Cu forking distad of Sc + R branch. Hind tibiae laterally unarmed, with six apical teeth. Hind legs with basal tarsal segment elongate, abouit 1.3 x as long as segments II and III together. Male genital segment higher than wide caudally; caudal margin symmetrical with medioventral process simple, subtriangular. Parameres spoon-shaped, apically dilated; dorsal margin of dilated part produced in a more or less conspicuously pointed tip. Aedeagus with dorsal portion of basal part in all epigean species with bulbous or spinose processes which form a groove conducting the spine (which arises subapically on the right side) to left. Movable distal part of aedeagus well developed, bent dorsally to the left. Female genitalia with ovipositor complete; distal portion of pregenital sternite slightly bent dorsad; 9th tergite obliquely truncate, with wax-secreting area medially divided by a membranous area. (Hoch 1988)

ID Keys

Löcker et al. 2007: 46

Diagnosis References

Hoch, H. 1988. Five new epigean species of the Australian planthopper genus Solonaima Kirkaldy (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae). The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 5(1): 125-133 [125]

General References

Hoch, H. 1988. Five new epigean species of the Australian planthopper genus Solonaima Kirkaldy (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae). The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 5(1): 125-133 [125]

Hoch, H. & Howarth, F.G. 1989. Six new cavernicolous cixiid planthoppers in the genus Solonaima from Australia (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Systematic Entomology 14: 377-402 [378]

History of changes