Problematode inerme Gaiani, 2017

Gaiani, Marco A., 2017, Problematode: an enigmatic new genus of Membracidae (Hemiptera) with two new species from Venezuela, Zootaxa 4281 (1) : -

Problematode inerme Gaiani sp. nov.

( Figs. 3–4, 10 , 14–18, 23 –30)

Diagnosis. Both sexes lack the “keel-like” process on the posterior half of the pronotum. Dorsal projections of head triangularly produced. Pygofer with ventral margin slightly sinuate, almost straight ( Fig. 25 ).

Description. Adults. Dimensions (mm): Total length ♂ 8.4, ♀ 10; width of head including eyes ♂ 2.7, ♀ 2.8; width between humeral angles ♂ 2.8, ♀ 3.0; pronotal length ♂ 1.9, ♀ 1.9; wing length ♂ 6.6, ♀ 8.4. Coloration. Body with long pale pubescence; overall integument color light brown; dorsal projections of head, base of scutellum, and claval area of forewings dark brown; apex of all femora, apex and base of all tibiae, and all tarsi brown; mesobasisternites black; abdominal sternites I–VI dark brown medially. Yellow markings on apical third of scutellum and lateral posterior pronotal margin. Structure: Head ( Figs. 4, 10 ). Broad, wider than long; with long pubescence; dorsal projections triangular; ocelli raised above surface. Thorax: Pronotum ( Figs. 4, 10 ). Densely punctate, covered in pale decumbent setae; middorsal ridge slightly produced, extended along full length of pronotum. Anterior margin with two submarginal scars in single field ( Fig. 10 ). Scutellum with basal 1/3rd raised, apical 1/3rd with slight median depression. Legs. Prothoracic and mesothoracic femora with raised tubercle on hind margin; metathoracic tibiae with three enlarged setal rows, each bearing cucullate setae (row I with 23–30 cucullate setae, row II with 6–7, and row III with 15–17). Forewing ( Figs. 13–14 ). Basal half slightly thickened, punctate; with one or two m-cu crossveins, apical half with a plexus of veins; A2 bent anteriorly, joining A1 on apical fourth of clavus. Genitalia. Lateral plates fused to pygofer; styles ( Fig. 24 ) elongate, slender, hooked in a 90° angle apically; pygofer with ventral margin straight in lateral view; aedeagus ( Fig. 22–23 ) strongly U-shaped, widened at middle and tapering apically, posterior face of apex denticulate. Female with second valvulae strongly widened in apical third ( Figs. 28–29 ).

Nymphs. Unknown.

Etymology. From the latin inermis, meaning “un-armed”, which refers to the pronotum lacking a posterior process.

Distribution. VENEZUELA: Aragua, Yaracuy.

Material examined. 1♂ (Holotype), VENEZUELA, Aragua, Rancho Grande, Portachuelo , 1100 m, 27-IX- 1978, J.A. Clavijo & A. Chacón cols, MIZA 0098894 ; 1♀ (Paratype), VENEZUELA, Yaracuy, Quebrada Honda, 27-I-1971, R. Cásares M. & M. Gelvez cols, MIZA 0098881 (all specimens at MIZA) .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. Problematode sakakibarai sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 1, lateral view; 2, dorsal view; 5, head, frontal view; 6, head and thorax lateral view (male); 7, head and thorax lateral view (female paratype); 8, head and thorax ventral view (male); 9, head and prothorax dorsal view (male, dorsal keel omitted). Problematode inerme sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 3, lateral view; 4, dorsal view; 10, head and thorax (female paratype).

FIGURES 11 – 25. Problematode sakakibarai sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 11, forewing; 12, hind wing; 18, aedeagus lateral view; 19, aedeagus caudal view; 20, styles dorsal view; 21, pygofer lateral view. Problematode inerme sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 13, forewing; 14, hind wing; 15, 16, 17 pro-, meso-, and meta-thoracic legs respectively; 22, aedeagus lateral view; 23, aedeagus caudal view; 24, styles dorsal view; 25, pygofer lateral view.

FIGURES 26 – 29. Problematode inerme sp. nov. (female paratype, MIZA): 26, female abdomen ventral view; 27, first valvulae; 28, second valvulae; 29, apex of second valvulae.