Balala Distant, 1908

Viraktamath, C. A. & Yeshwanth, H. M., 2023, Leafhopper subfamily Hylicinae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) in the Indian subcontinent with description of new species, Zootaxa 5319 (4), pp. 451-500 : 456-458

Genus Balala Distant

Type species: Penthimia fulviventris Walker , by original designation.

Diagnosis. Large and stout hylicine leafhoppers with short, anteriorly rounded head. Ocelli close to posterior margin of crown and nearer posterior margins of eyes than to anterior margins. Hind wing with 5 stout setae on costal margin in proximal half ( Fig. 13B, C ). Metabasitarsomere plantar surface with 6 stout macrosetae arranged in oblique row in distal 0.66, distal transverse row with 7 platellae ( Fig. 15A ). Aedeagus with poorly developed dorsal apodeme, shaft tubular with or without processes.

Description. Large and robust leafhoppers measuring 10–14 mm in length. Crown short, anteriorly rounded, ocelli on disk closer to posterior margin of crown than to anterior margins of eyes, frontal sutures extending in front of ocelli. Clypellus broader at base, slightly narrowed apically, extending beyond genal curve and apically rounded, lora narrow dorsally extending beyond transverse clypeal suture. Face perpendicularly deflected, moderately convex, genae expanded. Labium short, just passing anterior coxae. Pronotum about 3× as long as crown, anterior margin slightly rounded, posterior margin strongly subangularly excavated before base of mesonotum, lateral margins oblique, rounded without carina. Mesonotum long moderately raised, centrally strongly longitudinally carinate, gradually narrowed to acute apex and reaching or almost reaching claval apex. Hind wing costal margin with 5 stout setae in proximal half ( Figs. 13B, C ). Fore femora dilated. Meta femoral spinulation 2+1+1+1, on a raised ridge near distal part of femur. Meta tibiae triangular, in cross section, area between PD and AD slightly concave with raised margins bearing setae, meta tibial spinulation PD 10, AD 12, AV 15, PV with distal 3 setae stouter and darker; metabasitarsomere plantar surface with 6 stout macrosetae arranged in oblique row in distal 0.66, distal transverse row with 7 platellae ( Fig. 15A ).

Male genitalia. Pygofer elongate, more than 2× as long as height of pygofer lobe in lateral view, depressed, with marginal 3–4 stout and short state with raised alveolar bases along margin, posteroventral angle produced into a short process, dorsal margin sinuate, with ventral process. Subgenital plate articulated with valve, lateral margins convex, about 2× as long as greatest width, posterior apex conically rounded. Style as in Hatigoria (see below), not exceeding posterior margin of connective, apex of apophysis with setae. Connective longer than broad. Aedeagus with ventral surface of atrium anteriorly elongated, shaft tubular, with or without processes, gonopore apical.

Remarks. Tang & Zhang (2019) reviewed the genus Balala and included nine species including four new species, provided illustrations of habitus and male genitalia except for B. formosana Kato. The species of the genus occur in Borneo, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam ( Tang & Zhang 2020). Tang & Zhang (2023) treated Pseudosudra as a junior synonym of Balala and transferred its type species Parasudra sumatrana Schmidt to Balala .

Figures

FIGURES 13A–L. Forewings (A, D, G, J), hind wings (B, E, H, K) and magnified view of costal margin (C, F, I, L) of Hylicinae. A–C, Balala mekongia Tang & Zhang from Thailand; D–F, Hatigoria zhangi sp. nov.; G–I, Hemisudra indica sp. nov.; J–L, Hylica paradoxa Stål.

FIGURES 15A–K. Metabasitarsomere plantar surface (A–H) and female sternite VII (I–K) of Hylicinae. A, Balala mekongia Tang & Zhang; B, Hatigoria zhangi sp. nov.; C, Hemisudra indica sp. nov.; D, Hylica scutealba Tang & Zhang; E, Kalasha manikya sp. nov.; F, Nacolus tuberculatus (Walker); G, Sudra manipurensis sp. nov.; H, Traiguma verticalis Distant: I, Hylica paradoxa Stål; J, Hylica scutealba Tang & Zhang; K, Traiguma verticalis Distant.