Faltala paradellae, Zahniser, 2021

Zahniser, James N., 2021, Revision of the New World leafhopper tribe Faltalini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) and the evolution of brachyptery, Zootaxa 4954 (1), pp. 1-160 : 58-62

Faltala paradellae n. sp.

( Figs. 34–36 , 38 , 94S–T )

Diagnosis. F. paradellae can be distinguished from other species of Faltala by the pygofer ventral lobe not terminating in a downturned claw-like spine and projecting far beyond dorsal half of pygofer, subgenital plate subrectangluar and slightly tapering toward truncate apex, aedeagal shaft relatively thick and arising dorsally from base of aedeagus, aedeagus not branched or T-shaped in lateral view, and apex of aedeagus without lateral flanges in in caudodorsal view.

Body. Male, 3.1–3.3 mm. Female, 4.0– 4.1 mm.

Color. Color pattern typical for the genus; females commonly paler than males.

Male. Pygofer in dorsal view tapering toward apex; sclerotized dorsally for ~1/3 entire length of pygofer, with dark pigmented spot medially; with dorsal half short; ventral lobe extended posteriorly, rounded at apex; posterodorsal margin with short tooth-like process midway between ventral lobe apex and posterodorsal corner; with 2 short, thick setae anterad and anterodorsad of tooth. Segment X membranous dorsally and laterally; with pair of sclerotized plates ventrally. Valve triangular; margin before apex slightly concave, forming distinct apical point. Subgenital plate subrectangluar, slightly tapering toward apex; apex truncate; with 3–4 short macrosetae near lateral margin, arranged in a row; with numerous very short thick and thin setae laterally and near apex; dorsal side with trough for insertion of style, with submedial point near apex, with anteromedial lobe for articulation with style. Style preapical lobe with 2 small humps; apophysis long, relatively straight with margins slightly sinuate, ventral side with tuberculate texture and short fine setae. Aedeagus with base tall; dorsal rim of aedeagal base slightly extending dorsally as short lobe-like extension on each side or as complete band, articulating with sclerotized part of phragma; shaft arising posterodorsally from base, strongly recurved, sickle-shaped in lateral view, slightly widening at midlength in caudal view, lateral margin minutely dentate; gonopore apical. Phragma with pair of ear-shaped sclerotized plates articulating with dorsal lobes of aedeagal base with numerous setae on posteromedial margin; membranously extending dorsally, the entire structure forming subtriangular plate with ventromedial sclerotized section.

Female. Sternite VII broadly excavated along posterior margin; median length slightly less than 1/3 maximum width; posterolateral corners at nearly 90°, bluntly pointed; posterior margin on each side with small bump at 2/3 distance from posterolateral corner to center; with pair of dark markings medially, near apex, together forming hooflike footprint marking.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: 1♂, ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos Prov., P.N. El Palmar, 32m., 31.86906°S 58.2452°W, 15-II-2014, J.N. Zahniser, AR14-26 [ MLPA] . PARATYPES: 1♂, 5♀, same data as holotype . 9♂, 7♀, 2n: ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos Prov., ca. Concordia, rt. 14 km 275 , 50m., 31.32083°S 58.08555°W, 4-I-2008, C.H. Dietrich, vacuum, AR1-1. 10♂, 6♀: ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos Prov., rt. 14 km 43 , 20m., 33.22528°S 58.69194°W, 24-I-2008, C.H. Dietrich, vacuum, AR39-1. 4♂: ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos Prov., 14.5 km N Guayaguaychu , 32.96674°S 58.58857°W, 16-II-2014, J.N. Zahniser, AR14-30 . 1♂: ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos Prov., rt 14 km 143, ca. Villa de Lujan , 32.33242°S 58.2452°W, 16-II-2014, J.N. Zahniser, AR14-29. [ INHS, MLPA, USNM].

Distribution. This species is known from Argentina (Entre Ríos Prov.).

Etymology. The species is named in honor of my friend and colleague, Dra. Susana Paradell (MLPA).

Remarks. Specimens from Argentina (El Palmar and 14.5 km N Guayaguaychu) were collected on grasses.

Figures

FIGUIRE 34. Faltala paradellae n. sp. (A–B, D–J) standard views; A1, female; A2 & B, male. (Q) hindwing and metanotum (forewing removed).

FIGUIRE 35. Faltala paradellae n. sp. (K–P) standard views. (Q) male genital capsule, caudal view. aed = aedeagus; phr = sclerotized parts of the phragma.

FIGUIRE 36. Faltala paradellae n. sp., SEM images. (Q) head to scutellum, dorsal view. (R) detail of crown. (S) face. (T) detail of face and antennal base. (U) metatibia pecten and metatarsomeres I-II (scale = 0.15 mm). (V) subgenital plates and valve, ventral view (scale = 0.1 mm).

FIGUIRE 38. Distribution of Faltala.

FIGUIRE 94. SEM images of hindwings and associated terga of some Faltalini. (Q–R) Hecullus bracteatus ♀; Q & R, scale = 0.25 mm. (S–T) Faltala paradellae ♀; S, scale = 0.25 mm; T, scale = 0.10 mm. (U–V) Ackbaria vermiformis ♀; U, scale = 0.25 mm; V, scale = 0.15 mm.