Kybos montanus Mitjaev, 1971

Figs 1–4, 13–16, 38–39, 50, 52, 58, 64–69

Empoasca (Kybos) mitjaevi Dworakowska, 1976: 440, n. nov. for Kybos montanus Mitjaev, 1971, nec Empoasca montana Caldwell, 1952

Description. Green with lighter and darker spots in fore part of body, darkest males brownish. Forewings smoky hyaline in apical parts, veins of hindwings and dorsal side of abdomen dark, visible through folded forewings (Figs 1–4).

Dorsal apodemes are 1.5–2 times longer than wide at base, separated by wide V-shaped notch, usually slightly tapering towards ends (Figs 13–14). Ventral apodemes about twice as long as wide at base, parallel-sided, with inner margins parallel or slightly diverging (Figs 15–16). Aedeagus without lateral processes (Figs 38–39). Style with numerous long setae and serrated falcate apical part (Fig. 50). Pygofer appendages narrow (Fig. 52). Anal collar appendages narrow, falcate (Fig. 58).

Hosts. Salix sect. Helix, possibly, also willow species from other sections.

Calling signal. Signals of males from the following localities were investigated.

1. Kyrgyzstan, Alai Range, ca 25 km southeast of Kyzyl-Kiya, Abshirsay Gorge, Salix sect. Helix, 15. VII. 2014, signals of four males recorded at 28 oC.

2. Kyrgyzstan, Suusamyr River ca 4 km southeast of Suusamyr Village, Salix sect. Helix, 12. VII. 2023, signals of three males recorded at 25 oC.

3. Kyrgyzstan, Western Karakol River (the Kokomeren River basin) 8 km from the mouth (ca 8 km east of Suusamyr Village), Salix sect. Helix, 12. VII. 2023, signals of three males recorded at 24 oC.

Calling signal is a phrase consisting of 2–6 syllables, following each other with a period of 350–900 ms (Figs 64–65). Each syllable consists of several partially merged pulses; in some signals pulses in syllables are indistinguishable (Figs 66–69). Occasionally, the first syllable is preceded by several low-amplitude pulses (Figs 64, 66).

Distribution. Mitjaev (2002) records this species from the mountains of southern and eastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, although no specific locations in Kyrgyzstan either in his works or in the articles of other authors were given. According to our observations, common on willows in North and Inner Tien Shan and in Alai Range; in West Tien Shan occurs only in the forest and subalpine zones.

Remark. Dworakowska (1976) treated Kybos as a subgenus of Empoasca and replaced the name K. montanus by E. (K.) mitjaevi as a junior secondary homonym. Here we treat Kybos as a separate genus; for this reason, the name K. montanus Mitjaev, 1971 was reinstated. However, Mitjaev (2002, 2015, etc.), treating Kybos as a genus, still used the name K. mitjaevi in all his faunistic works.