Species Horouta tropica Fletcher, 2018

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• Horouta tropica Fletcher, M.J. 2018. A new species of Horouta Knight (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from Northern Australia. Australian Entomologist 45(3): 237–243 [238].
  Zoobank Registration Number:89A12ABB-6CD4-40DF-B1B4-8F5B5FD2A6CB

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T244510 ♂ (coll: Donaldson and Hamacek, 29.v–3.vi.1985, ex QDPI collection), Murray Island, Torres Strait, Queensland.

 

Introduction

This species is rather anomalous and may require placement into its own genus. It differs from other species in the genus in the rounded apical margin of the head, vertex of even length throughout, diverging lateral margins of the clypellus and lack of lateral processes on the aedeagus. In addition, all known specimens of H. tropica are macropterous, while most of the other Horouta species are also known to have brachypterous or semibrachypterous forms (Fletcher 2004). The presence of prominent processes on the pygofer is not a feature of Horouta generally, although Horouta spinosa Fletcher does have similar structures on the pygofer.

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Ecological Descriptors

All stages: phloem feeder.

 

Diagnosis

Length: males (N = 14) 3.4-4.0 mm (mean 3.79), females unknown. Colour pale testaceous with dark brown transverse marking across anterior part of vertex, sometimes divided medially, small spot at base of third preapical cell, dark markings subapically on fore and mid femora and bases of hind tibial spines. Face broad with wide genae and small lora well separated from margin of maxillary plates. Clypellus with sides diverging almost to apex, then narrowed slightly. Frontoclypeal suture visible at extreme sides only. Frontoclypeus wide, tapered from apex of head to anteclypeus. Vertex rounded into face, of even width throughout, about twice as wide as long with occipital suture extending almost to front of head. Pronotum about twice as long as vertex, vaguely transversely rugulose. Tegmen with third preapical cell open basally and crossvein near base of clavus between inner claval vein and suture. Profemur with AV row of small stubby setae extending almost entire length of femur, AM1 present and intercalary row with 8 elongate macrosetae. Metafemoral setal formula 2+2+1 with macrosetae long, strong and prominent. Metatibia with dense macrosetae on all edges with macrosetae of row PD about twice length of macrosetae in other rows. Male genitalia. Pygofer narrow in lateral view with basolateral membranous cleft present and dense forest of long setae on ventroapical half. Apex truncate bearing lateral processes that are elongate, linear, apically acute and slightly curved, mounted on internal side of apex on each side and extending ventromedially almost to opposite side of pygofer anterodorsally to the aedeagal shaft, the two processes crossing each other at about 3/4 of their length. Tenth segment attached inside apical aperture of pygofer. Subgenital plates elongate, narrow triangular to acute apex, bearing single line of 7-9 macrosetae along lateral margin, the distal one being half the length of the remainder. Paramere short with bluntly acute preapical process and apical process evenly tapered, extended posteriorly to apex, which is slightly obliquely truncate. Aedeagus simple, lacking processes; shaft in posteroventral view expanded from base, then tapered to long fine apex; shaft in lateral view with broad basal section over about 1/3 length, then abruptly narrowed to finely tapered acuminate point beyond preapical dorsal gonopore (Fletcher 2018).

 

Diagnosis References

Fletcher, M.J. 2018. A new species of Horouta Knight (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from Northern Australia. Australian Entomologist 45(3): 237–243 [239]

 

General References

Fletcher, M.J. 2004. A revision of the genus Horouta Knight with description of two new species and notes on other species of Deltocephalinae (Hemipter: Cicadellidae). General and Applied Entomology 33: 45-54

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
	Deltocephalinae Dallas, 1870	18-Dec-2018	ADDED	Dr Murray Fletcher