Argepara, Gnezdilov & O’Brien, 2008

Gnezdilov, Vladimir M. & O’Brien, Lois B., 2008, New taxa and combinations in Neotropical Issidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea), Insecta Mundi 2008 (31), pp. 1-26 : 11

GENUS Argepara gen. n.

Type species: Hysteropterum semipellucidum Melichar 1906

Diagnosis: Metope wide, convex, with weak median carina or with carina absent ( Fig. 3, 5 ), pustules along lateral margins. Postclypeus small, flat or strongly convex ( Fig. 4 ). Coryphe broad and short ( Fig. 6 ). Fore wing narrowing apically, without hypocostal plate ( Fig. 2, 4 ). Radius bifurcate, median bi- or trifurcate, cubitus anterior simple or bifurcate (R 2 M 2-3 CuA 1-2), longitudinal veins weak, transverse veins indistinct. Costal portion of fore wing rounded under at 45-degree angle from horizontal. Hind wings rudimentary. Pronotum short, sometimes with median carina. Scutellum without carinae. Hind tibiae with 2 lateral teeth distally and with 8 apical teeth. Metatarsomere I with 4-5 (3-4 + 1) intermediate socle setae.

Male ( Fig. 33-42 ). Anal tube wide, apex weakly truncate. Anal column short. Pygofer with convex hind margin, enlarged basally (in lateral view). Phallobase enlarged basally (in ventral view). Each dorsolateral phallobase lobe with supporting process under aedeagal hook. Ventral phallobase lobe strongly enlarged apically. Aedeagus with a pair of long bifurcate acuminate ventral hooks (one branch twice longer than the other). Style massive, with convex hind margin, caudodorsal angle nearly right or rounded. Capitulum of style without neck, narrowing apically (in dorsal view), with subapical tooth or without it, lateral tooth wide.

Female (based on examination of A. lyra ). Hind margin of sternum VII deeply concave. Anal tube elongate, narrowing to truncated apex. Anal column short. Gonoplacs without carinae. Third gonoplac lobes isolated by deep incision. Distal parts of posterior connective lamina of gonapophyses IX arcuately bent. Median field of the lamina with deep incision, without lobes. Lateral fields of the lamina weakly convex. Anterior connective lamina of gonapophysis VIII with 3 teeth in apical group and 5 keeled teeth in lateral group, comb wide. Gonocoxa VIII with straight hind margin. Endogonocoxal process trilobed apically (with 3 finger-shaped processes).

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of letters derived from the combination of words Argentina and Paraguay. It is feminine in gender.

Ant association: Ants of the genus Camponotus Mayr were attending the specimens of A. lyra collected in Argentina at 3 km N. Laguna del Morne, and similar ants, presumably the same genus, were also observed with them at other localities.

Comparison: The genus differs from all other genera of Issini by the following combination of features: metope wide, convex, with weak median carina or without it; longitudinal veins of fore wing weak, transverse veins indistinct; ventral phallobase lobe strongly enlarged apically; ventral hooks of aedeagus bifurcate; median field of posterior connective lamina of gonapophyses IX with deep incision, without lobes; endogonocoxal process trilobed.

Figures

Figure 1-6. Issidae. 1) Aztecus mexicanus (Kirkaldy), syntype, head in ventral view. 2) Argepara semipellucida (Melichar), syntype, female, lateral view. 3) A. semipellucida (Melichar), syntype, male, head in ventral view. 4) Argepara lyra (Berg), female, lateral view (Argentina). 5) Same, head in ventral view. 6) Same, melanistic form, dorsal view (Paraguay).

Figure 33-37. Argepara semipellucida (Melichar), syntype, male genitalia. 33) Pygofer, anal tube, and aedeagus, lateral view. 34) Aedeagus, ventral view. 35) Style, lateral view. 36) Capitulum of style, dorsal view. 37) Anal tube, dorsal view.

Figure 38-42. Argepara lyra (Berg), male genitalia. 38) Pygofer, anal tube, and aedeagus, lateral view. 39) Aedeagus, ventral view. 40) Style, lateral view. 41) Capitulum of style, dorsal view. 42) Anal tube, dorsal view.