Vorago thompsoni sp. n.

(Figs 38–44)

Type locality. Tiputini Biodiversity Station (00º 37’55”S 076º 08’39”W), Orellana Province, Ecuador.

Diagnosis. Head brown, postclypeus inflated, convex in profile with prominent median carina and strong lateral grooves; thorax brown, pronotum brown with low median carina, tegmina dark brown with two pale zigzag stripes.

Description. Head (Figs 43–44): brown; rostrum brown, extending beyond mesocoxae; compound eyes dark brown, rounded and arranged transversally; vertex smooth, lacking median carina; ocelli dark brown; tylus rectangular, lacking median carina; antennae light brown, pedicel sparsely setose, basal body of flagellum conic with arista shorter than pedicel; postclypeus brown, inflated, with prominent median carina and lateral grooves strongly marked. Thorax (Figs 43–44): brown; pronotum brown with low median carina, anterior margin straight, lateral-anterior margins straight, lateral posterior margin slightly sinuous, posterior margin strongly grooved; scutellum dark brown, with central concavity and horizontal grooves; tegmina dark brown with two pale zigzag stripes, apical reticulation developed; hindwings hyaline with brown venation, vein Cu1 not thickened at base; legs brown, metathoracic tibia with two lateral spines (basal spine smaller than those located in apical crown and apical spine larger); apical crown of tibia with two rows of spines; basitarsus with one row of spines covered by sparse setae; subungueal process absent. Abdomen: brownish red. Genitalia: Male: Pygofer (Fig. 42) with one curved process between anal tube and subgenital plates; subgenital plates (Fig. 42) with rounded apex; parameres (Fig. 41) short, each with one apical spine directed dorsally; aedeagus (Figs 38–39) laterally flattened with two pairs of elongated processes (one pair inserted laterally at apex of shaft, the other pair attached dorso-laterally basad of the apex) and one spiniform process on dorsal margin. Female (Fig. 40): First valvula of ovipositor long and slender with acute apex and basal process developed, rounded, directed ventrally; second valvulae long and slender, dorsal margin smooth, lacking serrations; third valvulae short and wide, with long setae ventrally.

Measurements (mm). Body length: Ƥ 10.3–10.5, 3 10.3–10.5; pronotal length: Ƥ 2.2–2.3, 3 2.0–2.2; forewing length: Ƥ 8.3–8.5, 3 8.7–9.0; maximum width of head, including eyes: Ƥ 2.3–2.4, 3 2.5–2.7; width between humeral angles: Ƥ 3.7–3.8, 3 3.5–4.0.

Distribution. ECUADOR: Orellana Province

Remarks. The external morphology and color pattern of V. thompsoni are similar to other species of Vorago, but the male genitalic structures (specifically, of the aedeagus and parameres) resemble species of Korobona, making V. thompsoni unique within Vorago .

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Dr. Vinton Thompson, for his many important contributions to spittlebug research and who originally inspired JRC to begin systematic research on Cercopoidea.

Material examined. Type material: Holotype (3, dissected, deposited at USNM), with labels: “2035 Ecuador Orellana / Tiputini Biodiversity Sta. / nr Yasuni National Park / Erwin Transect – T/4”, “ 220–250m 8–II–1999 / 00 37’55” S 076 08’ 39”W / T.L. Erwin et al Fogging / terre firme forest”, and “ HOLOTYPE / Vorago thompsoni / Paladini & Cryan”. Paratype (Ƥ, dissected, deposited at USNM), with labels: “942, Ecuador, Orellana / Transect Ent. 1 km S. / Onkone Gare Camp / Reserva Etnica Waorani”, “ 216.3m, 10–Oct–1994 / 00º39’25.7”S 076º27’10.8”W / T.L. Erwin et al., t–4…3 / Fogging terre firme forest”, and “ PARATYPE / Vorago thompsoni / Paladini & Cryan”; Paratype (Ƥ, deposited at USNM), with labels: “1537, Ecuador, Orellana / Transect Ent. 1 km S. / Onkone Gare Camp / Reserva Etnica Waorani”, “ 216.3m, 25–Jun–1996 / 00º39’25.7”S. 076º27’10.8”W / T.L. Erwin et al., t–2….7 / Fogging terre firme forest”, and “ PARATYPE / Vorago thompsoni / Paladini & Cryan”; Paratype (3, deposited at USNM), with labels: “1011, Ecuador, Orellana / Transect Ent. 1 km S. / Onkone Gare Camp / Reserva Etnica Waorani”, “ 216.3m, 2–Nov–1995 / 00º39’25.7”S. 076º27’10.8”W / T.L. Erwin et al., t–3….2 / Fogging terre firme forest”, and “ PARATYPE / Vorago thompsoni / Paladini & Cryan”.