Macropsis ibragimovi Dubovskiy, 1966

Tishechkin, Dmitri Yu., 2013, Taxonomic study of Central Asian species of the genus Macropsis Lewis, 1836 (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae). I: Redescriptions of willow-dwelling species from West Tien Shan Mountains, Zootaxa 3722 (4), pp. 581-595 : 587-589

Macropsis ibragimovi Dubovskiy, 1966

Figs. 51–83

Description. Body green, coloration usually somewhat less bright than in M. abdullaevi . Forewings transparent with green veins, apices slightly darkened in some males.

Abdominal apodemes of 2nd sternite in male more or less triangular, inner margins straight or rounded at base, in contrast to M. abdullaevi , without projections (Figs. 55–60). Tergal apodemes variable in shape, more or less rounded (Figs. 51–54).

Pygofer processes almost straight or slightly bent forward (Figs. 64–65). Penis in side view rather short and broad, as in previous species (Figs. 61–63). Styles of typical shape (Figs. 66–69). 2nd valvulae of ovipositor with 2+2 or 2+3 preapical teeth (Figs. 70–71).

Body length (including tegmina): ♂, 3.5–3.7 mm; ♀, 3.9–4.6 mm.

Nymph in body shape similar to that of M. abdullaevi , green.

Differs from M. abdullaevi in more pale coloration, shape of inner margins of abdominal apodemes of the 2nd sternite and number of teeth on 2nd valvulae. Very similar to M. asiatica (see below) in morphology, differs only by wider abdominal apodemes of 2nd sternite. However, differences in host specialization and calling signal temporal pattern are evidence that these two forms are different species. Can be distinguished from M. tarbagataica by wider penis stem in lateral view.

Host. Salix niedzwieckii (section Helix ).

Calling signal. Calling signal consists of short phrases lasting from 2–3 up to 8–10 s ( Figs. 72–83 ). Phrases usually follow each other with pauses from 2–3 up to 10–15 s. Typically, each phrase consists of succession of longer pulses followed by 2–4 syllables and 3–10 shorter pulses of another shape.

Material examined. 1—Chatkal Mtn. Range, Sary-Chelekskiy Biosphere Nature Reserve, the ravine of Khodzha-Ata River in the environs of Arkyt Village, 17–19. VII. 2008, 12 ♂, 24 ♀, calling signals of 6 ♂ recorded on disk at 22–24o C. 4—Kurpsay Ravine on right bank of Lower Naryn River Valley, ca. 30 km downstream from Kara-Kul’, 7. VII. 2011, 6 ♂, 9 ♀, 2 nymphs, calling signals of 2 ♂ recorded on disk at 22o C. 6—Ferghana Mtn. Range, Arslanbob Town, the bank of Kara-Kulak River (type locality), 13. VII. 2011, 9 ♂, 1 ♀, 19 nymphs, calling signals of 2 ♂ recorded on disk at 22–23o C.

FIGURES 51 – 71. Macropsis ibragimovi Dubovskiy. 51–54―male abdominal apodemes of the 2nd tergite; 55–60― the 2nd sternite; 61–63―penis, lateral view; 64–65―pygofer process, lateral view; 66–69―end of style; 70–71―the 2nd valvulae of ovipositor.

Distribution. West Tien Shan Mts.: foothills and midlands of Chatkal and Ferghana Mtn. Ranges ( Kyrgyzstan).

Remarks. According to the original description, the type series was collected in Arslanbob Town at the altitude 2100–2200 m above sea level (Dubovskiy, 1966). I collected my material at the same altitude in the Kara- Kulak River Valley on the boundary of the town. The only other willow-dwelling Macropsis species found in this place was M. abdullaevi (see above). The original description of M. ibragimovi is rather superficial, but it fits well the specimens studied.

In certain localities M. abdullaevi and M. ibragimovi were found together on the same plant, but sometimes (e.g. in the ravine of Khodzha-Ata River in the environs of Arkyt Village, locality No. 1) they dwell in the same place, but on separate clumps of trees.

Figures

FIGURES 72 – 83. Macropsis ibragimovi Dubovskiy, oscillograms of calling signals of males from different localities. 72 – 74, 78 – 80 ― Arslanbob (type locality), No. 6 on the map; 75 – 76, 81 – 82 ― the ravine of Khodzha-Ata River in the environs of Arkyt, No. 1 on the map; 77, 83 ― Lower Naryn River Valley, Kurpsay Ravine, No. 4 on the map. Faster oscillograms of the parts of signals indicated as “ 78 – 83 ” are given under the same numbers.