Krisna varia, Viraktamath, C. A., 2006

Viraktamath, C. A., 2006, Revision of the leafhopper tribe Krisnini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) of the Indian subcontinent, Zootaxa 1338, pp. 1-32 : 26-28

Krisna varia sp. nov.

Figs 25, 31 , 35 , 88–96

Greenish ochraceous with reddish brown tinge. Forewing appendix with piceous spot at base, hind wings fuliginous.

Head slightly longer medially than next to eyes. Basal abdominal apodemes poorly developed. Male eighth sternite large, quadrangular, hind margin slightly convex, surface sparsely covered with setae.

Male genitalia: Ventral process of pygophore sptatulate, curved dorsally, narrowed in mid 0.33 length then slightly expanded before narrowing to acute angle, surface near apex with a few rugae, basal 0.33 length broader with or without spinelike projection on dorsomesal margin. Subgenital plate with lateral half covered with numerous hairlike setae. Apophysis of style of type 1. Aedeagus with preapical lobe as long as shaft. Aedeagal shaft caudally ridged, ventral margin concave at midlength, dorsal margin deeply excavated in middle thereafter serrated with short ridges and furrows, surface of apical region of shaft with minute spicules.

Female genitalia: Hind margin of seventh sternite with lateral angles rounded, rather straight with shallow and narrow median concavity. Second pair of gonapophysis serrated both between basal and median and median and apical prominent teeth, ventral margin not notched before apex.

Measurements: Male 9.85 (9.40–10.30) mm long, 2.38 (2.25–2.50) mm wide across eyes, 2.80 (2.67–2.97) mm wide across hind margin of pronotum. Female 11.40 (11.10–11.70) mm long, 2.60 mm wide across eyes, 3.30 mm wide across hind margin of pronotum.

Material examined: Holotype ď, India: Karnataka: Yellapur, 14.xi.1977, C.A. Viraktamath ( UAS). Paratypes: 2 ď, data as for holotype; 3 ď, 2 Ψ, data as for holotype but collected on 13 and 15.xi.1977 ( UAS); India: Karnataka: 1 ď, Sirsi, Nilkunda, 28.v.2005, Radhadmani;1 ď, Sirsi, Naganagere, 25.v.2005, at light, Radhamani; 2 ď, Agumbe 23.xi.1982, H.V. A. Murthy; 1 ď, Agumbe, 5.i.1984, S. Viraktamath, 1 ď, Nandi Hills, 1467 m, 4.vi.1978, S. Viraktamath; 1 ď, Hebri, Karkala, 11.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; ď, Dharmasthala, 27.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; 3 ď, Mudigere, 22.v.1976, B. Mallik; 1 ď, Mudigere, 13.xi.1983, C. Parvathi; 18 km W Mudigere, 6.iv.1980, C.A. Viraktamath; ( BMNH, IARI, UAS, USNM, ZSI). Kerala: 3 ď, 8 Ψ, Thekkadi collected on 27.iii.1977. B.Mallik (1 ď, 3 Ψ), C.A.Viraktamath (1 ď, 2Ψ), 26.ii.1977, C.A. Viraktamath (1 ď, 2 Ψ); 2 Ψ, Manantoddy, 16.xi.1975, C.A. Viraktamath; 2 ď, Maraiyur, 24.x.1975, C.A. Viraktamath. ( UAS). Tamil Nadu: 16 ď, 14 Ψ, Yercaud, 1878 m, 18-21.ix.1978, C.A. Viraktamath (15 ď, 14 Ψ), Ghorpade (1 Ψ); 1 ď, 1 Ψ, Valparai, 13.iv.1981, A.R.V. Kumar ( UAS). Other material examined: [males without spinelike process on ventral pygophore process]: India: Karnataka: 2 ď, 2 Ψ, Jog Falls, 17.xi.1977 (2 ď), 18.xi.1976 (1 Ψ), 4.ii.1978 (1 Ψ), C.A. Viraktamath, 1 ď, Arsikere, 4.viii.1977, C.A. Viraktamath. Kerala: 1 ď, Kottyam, 25.iii.1977, S. Viraktamath; 1 ď, 1 Ψ, Meppadi, 17 & 18.x.1975, C.A. Viraktamath; 1 ď, Trichur, 6.i.1975, Menon. Maharashtra: 3ď, 8 Ψ, Khandala, 18.x.1977, 6.x.1991; 1 ď, 2 Ψ, Matheran, 803 m, 24.x.1977, C.A. Viraktamath ( UAS). [Specimens having ventral pygophore process rudimentary spinelike process]: Karnataka: 4 ď, 1 Ψ, Jog Falls, 18-19.xi.1976, 4.ii.1978, collected by C.A. Viraktamath, 8.v.1976, B. Mallik. Tamil Nadu: 1 ď, Burliar, 5.vi.1977, C.A. Viraktamath. Kerala: 10 km E Calicut, 17.x.1976, B. Mallik ( UAS). Other material [not dissected]: Karnataka: 3 ď, 6 Ψ, Subramanya R.F., 25-26.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; 23 ď, Mudigere, 2.vi.1978, C.A. Viraktamath; 1 ď, 23.v.1976, C. A. Viraktamath; 1 Ψ, 13.xi. 1983, C. Parvathi; 1 ď, 7.iv.1975, C.A. Viraktamath; 1 ď, 6.ii.2003, M.K. Sindhu; 1 ď, 22.v.1976, B. Mallik; 7 ď, 5 Ψ, 4 nymphs, Dharmasthala, 17-23.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; 4 ď, 4 Ψ, 3 nymphs, Hebri, Karkala, 11.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; 2 ď, 6 Ψ, 1 nymph. Kollur, Dakshina Kannada, 8.i.1984, S. Viraktamath; 1 Ψ, 4 nymphs, Kodyamale Forest, Bantwal, 13.i.1984, S. Viraktamath ( UAS).

Remarks: The males from different localities as mentioned in material studied vary with respect to the development of the spinelike structure on ventral pygophore process. There is a gradation of this structure and hence these specimens have been considered to belong to the same species. K. varia is very widely distributed species in peninsular India at elevations of 0–1467 m. It resembles the Ceylonese K. kirbyi (Kirkaldy) but differs in the ventral pygophore process and the shape of the aedeagal shaft.

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 31. Species of Krisna. 20 – 26. Head and thorax, profile: 20. K. magna Baker, from Malaysia; 21. K. strigicollis (Spinola); 22. K. bakeri sp. nov.; 23. K. megha sp. nov. 24. K. raja sp. nov.; 25. K. varia sp. nov.; 26. K. walayari sp. nov.; 27 – 31. Female seventh sterna: 27. K. megha; 28. K. kirbyi (Kirkaldy); 29. K. strigicollis; 30. K. bakeri; 31. K. varia.

FIGURES 32 – 40. Female second pair of gonapophysis of species of Krisna: 32. K. bakeri; 33. K. megha; 34. K. strigicollis; 35. K. varia. 36 – 40. Male abdominal apodemes of Krisna bakeri sp. nov. 36 – 37. Second and third sternal apodemes; 38 – 40. Second to fourth tergal apodemes.

FIGURES 88 – 96. Male Krisna varia sp. nov. 88 – 89. Tergal apodemes of the abdominal segments 2 and 3; 90 – 93. Ventral pygophore process, variation in the development of spine; 94. Aedeagus, lateral view; 95 – 96. Same caudal view.