Xenovarta acuta, Viraktamath, C. A., 2004

Viraktamath, C. A., 2004, A revision of the Varta­Stymphalus generic complex of the leafhopper tribe Scaphytopiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the Old World, Zootaxa 713, pp. 1-47 : 24-25

Xenovarta acuta sp. nov.

Figs 45 , 134–143 .

Greenish ochraceous with orange stripes. Head, pronotum and scutellum with orange longitudinal stripes, two small black spots on either side of median line near apex of vertex lateral area traversed by a stripe continued on pronotum and scutellum then on to clavus as median pair, pronotum with additional lateral stripe continued on clavus as lateral stripe. Wings yellowish green with green veins, apical margin with transverse brown band, apical margin grey. Frontoclypeus with a median area lemon yellow to orange, median stripe with numerous oblique brownish lines, lateral area of genae orange, ventral areas of thorax abdomen and legs ochraceous, coloration very similar to that in cylindrica .

Vertex acute triangularly produced, lateral margins sharp, reflexed, 2.22–2.7 times as long as inter ocular distance, 1.7–2.0 as long as pronotum. Face in profile concave, clypellus as wide at base as at apex.

Male genitalia: Pygophore caudally produced with numerous macrosetae in caudal half. Segment X short, not exceeding pygophore. Subgenital plates and valve fused to form a median plate with a median slit in caudal 0.25, devoid of macrosetae, with a pair of sclerotized lobes dorsally. Style with antero­lateral angle comparatively well­developed, preapical lobe well­developed, apophysis short, stout, transversely rugulose in distal half. Connective Y­shaped, stem half as long as arms, quadrate, arms in contact with each other. Aedeagus with well­developed dorsal apodeme, and preatrium, a pair of sclerotized, bladelike processes with apical hook and longer than shaft arise at base of shaft, aedeagal shaft compressed with gonopore arising at mid length on caudal margin.

Female genitalia: Seventh sternum narrowed caudally, hind margin with a lateral depressed area, medially excavated in the form of V, the hind border more membranous. Eighth sternites exposed.

Measurements: Male 7.1–7.6 mm long, 1.3 mm wide across hind margin of head, 1.5 mm wide across hind margin of pronotum. Female 7.4 (7.2–7.7) mm long, 1.4 mm wide across hind margin of head, 1.5 (1.4–1.6) mm wide across hind margin of pronotum.

Material examined: S. CHINA: holotype ɗ, Hong Kong Is: near University of Hong Kong, 4.vii.1992, M.R. Wilson, Sweeping low vegetation and shrubs ( BMNH). Paratypes: 2 Ψ, data as for holotype ( BMNH); CHINA: 2ɗ, 1 Ψ, Hunan: Mt Hengshan, 8­viii.1985, Y.L. Zhang & Y.H. Chai, NW Agricultural University; 1 Ψ, Fujian: Jinyang, Dazulan, 27.x.1974, Y.K.Yang, Beijing Agricultural University ( NWAU). Other material: 1 specimen (with abdomen missing) CHINA: Hunan: Mt Hengshan, 8­viii.1985, Y.L. Zhang & Y.H. Chai, NW Agricultural University ( NWAU).

Remarks: This is the largest among the species of Xenovarta and can be easily recognised by the basal processes to the aedeagus. It shares the opening of the gonopore at midlength of shaft with H. compressa but only distantly related to it.

Figures

FIGURES 41 – 48. Red or orange stripes on front wings of Varta­Stymphalus complex. 41 – 42. Vartalapa curvata sp. nov.; 43. Vartatopa bifurcata sp. nov.; 44. Xenovarta harpago sp. nov.; 45. Xenovarta acuta sp. nov.; 46. Xenovarta cylindrica sp. nov.; 47. Xenovarta compressa sp. nov.; 48. Xenovarta ankusha sp. nov.

FIGURES 134 – 143. Xenovarta acuta gen. et sp. nov.: 134. Head and thorax; 135. Same, profile; 136. Male genital capsule, lateral view; 137. Fused valve and subgenital plates; 138. Style; 139. Connective; 140. Aedeagus, lateral view; 141. Same, caudal view; 142. Variation in lateral processes of aedeagus; 143. Female ovipositor.