Maiestas viraktamathi, Fletcher & Dai, 2018

Fletcher, Murray J. & Dai, Wu, 2018, Two new species of Maiestas Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Deltocephalini) with a new record from Australia, Zootaxa 4521 (3), pp. 430-440 : 436-437

Maiestas viraktamathi sp. n.

( Figures 3–4 , 6 , 8, 10 , 12, 15–16 )

zoobank.org:act: 63396A3D-87CF-45C5-A24E-3469BBB20F0D

Types. Holotype, male, 55km NNE of Injune, Qld , 23.xi.1986, M.S. and B.J. Moulds ( ASCU: ASCTHE024178 )

Paratypes. QUEENSLAND. 4 males (1 missing except for male genitalia in vial), Escott Station , W of Burketown, N W Queensland, 18.iv.1983, J.F. Donaldson, D-vac. ( QDPI); 1 male, junction of Goldmine & Davies Creeks, Kuranda-Mareeba road, 3.v.1967, D.H. Colless, ( ANIC); 1 male, Arriga Research Station via Mareeba, 4.ii.1982, J.F. Donaldson, rice ( QDPI); 2 males, 3 km N Marlborough, 15.iv.1974, J.F. Donaldson, ( QDPI); 1 male, Kuranda, 11.iii.1956, J.L. Gressitt, light trap ( BPB); 2 males (one with genitalia damaged), same data but 12.iii.1956 ( BPB); 1 male, same data but 14.iii.1956 ( BPB); 1 male, E of Chillagoe, N. Qld, 11.iv.1983, J.F. Donaldson and J.F. Grimshaw, D-vac ( QDPI) .

Diagnosis. The most distinctive feature of this species is the apical process of the paramere, which is long, thin and sinuate with a small ventrolateral tooth. The tegmen has an obscure spot in the centre and other brown markings in the cells. As with M. webbi , the subgenital plate has internal ridging associated with the preapical lobe of the paramere. The subgenital plates have an apical tuft of hair setae. The aedeagus is slightly more curved in the apical half in lateral view with a ventral rounded heel at base which is less prominent than that of M. webbi .

Description. Length (males): 3.0mm. Vertex shorter than in other species, face more rounded apically. Face testaceous with pale or dark brown markings, particularly around lora and in antennal pits. Vertex usually with dark brown patch on either side of midline.Tegmen hyaline with white veins and dark brown patches in inner claval cell, at base of second anteapical cell and in outer apical cell, also brown infuscation in most cells but particularly apically and in clavus. Fore femora with two broad dark transverse bands, mid femora with one such band and hind femora unmarked.

Male genitalia. Pygofer with apical margin rounded, lacking internal strut from anal segment. SSubgenital plate short, triangular with line of 6 marginal macrosetae from near base to near apex which lacks apical hair setae. Connective, in posterior view, with lateral arms much longer than very short stem, bisinuate and apically apposed. Paramere with prominent but apically rounded preapical shoulder and apical process which is thin, sinuate, extending posteriorly and ending in acuminate apex; bearing small ventrolateral tooth visible in some angles. Aedeagus, in posteroventral view, shallowly biconvex with lateral margins curved evenly to acute apex; in lateral view, lightly sinuate with basal half concave ventrally and apical half concave dorsally, finely tapered from base to acuminate apex, with small rounded heel posteriorly at base.

Distribution. Australia (Qld)

Etymology. The species name honours Dr Chandra Virakatamath for his lifelong contribution to our knowledge of the Cicadellidae of the World and his valuable contribution to our knowledge of the genus Maiestas in particular.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. habitus:1. M. barrowensis, lateral view; 2. M. barrowensis, dorsal view; 3. M. viraktamathi, lateral view; 4. M. viraktamathi, dorsal view.

FIGURES 5–6. facial view of head: 5. M. barrowensis; 6. M. viraktamathi.

FIGURES 7–10. FIGS 7–8. male terminalia, lateral view: 7. M. barrowensis; 8. M. viraktamathi. FIGS 9–10. male subgenital plates and parameres, dorsal view: 9. M. barrowensis; 10. M. viraktamathi.

FIGURES 13–16. male aedeagus and connective: 13. M. barrowensis, posterior view; 14. M. barrowensis, lateral view; 15. M. viraktamathi, posterior view; 16. M. viraktamathi lateral view.