Scaralina gigantea Yanega, 2024

Yanega, Douglas, Goemans, Geert, Dam, Matthew Van, Gómez-Marco, Francesc & Hoddle, Mark, 2024, Description of a new genus of North and Central American planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) with fourteen new species, Zootaxa 5443 (1), pp. 1-53 : 35-36

Scaralina gigantea Yanega , sp. nov.

( Figs 18 , 31 , 46 , 61 )

Etymology. This species is named for its relatively large size, the largest specimens seen so far in the genus, including what appears to be the longest rostrum (extending well past the femoro-tibial joint, nearly to the abdominal tip). The epithet is adjectival.

Diagnosis. In addition to size, the bright red abdominal dorsum and hindwing bases, and the extensive dark forewing markings immediately distinguish this from all other species. The dark basal markings extend over 1/3rd the wing length, and the translucent basal area is greatly reduced compared to other species. It is most similar to S. cristata , sharing a few unusual features, as noted above. The small setae along the wing veins and in the wing membrane are relatively longer and greater in number than in any other species. It shows distinct structural affinities to cristata , with a strong, complete and posteriorly recurved mediolateral notal carina in addition to a strong medial pronotal carina; it also shares with cristata the strongly pigmented cells in the medial forewing, and the thoracic ground color of dark with pale fused spots.

Description (female only; male unknown). Head ( Figs 31 , 46 ). Frons similar to cristata , with ground color pale, but densely covered with dark spots, fused over much of surface; weak but distinct medial and transverse ridges. Rostrum relatively elongated, extending well past the femoro-tibial joint, nearly to the abdominal apex.

Thorax ( Fig. 46 ). Many features similar to cristata , such as dark ground color with extensive pale spotting, very prominent medial pronotal ridge, and strongly sinuate lateral mesonotal carinae; overall slightly darker, with posterolateral mesonotal spots enclosed in raised pale circles. Dorsal setae long. Fore coxae almost entirely black except at base and apex.

Wings ( Figs 18 , 61 ) The forewing maculations are extensive and opaque, medially and distally, highly contrasting in the basal half of the wing with white veins and wing spots, and very small translucent spots at the base. Costal crossveins numerous, close, pale and strongly contrasting, often sinuous or slightly anastomosing, much as in cristata . The hindwings are scarlet red at the base, the coloration extending over a larger area than in most species. Veins and wing membrane with setae relatively longer and denser than in other species.

Abdomen ( Fig. 18 ). Abdominal dorsum extensively scarlet red, with irregular dark markings; female supra-anal plate large, nearly 3 times the length of the preceding tergum, and concealing anal tube.

Type material. Holotype, female: MEXICO: Durango: “W of Canelas , 1450m MV, 25°5’45”N 106°39’57”W, 28.vii.2019 D.C. Hawks ” ( UCRC ENT 533840 , at UCRC).

Paratype, female: MEXICO: Chihuahua: 8 mi S Témoris , ~ 1435m, 1.ix.1969 ( CSCA) .

Distribution. So far known only from two localities, in western Durango and western Chihuahua, within 300 km of one another.

Figures

FIGURES 13–20. Habitus photos of Scaralina species. (13) S. aethrinsula (male); (14) S. chapina (male); (15) S. cristata (male); (16) S. marmorata (female); (17) S. durango (type female); (18) S. gigantea (type female); (19) S. hawksi (female, crushed somewhat); (20) S. metcalfi (male).

FIGURES 27–35. Faces of Scaralina species. (27) S. aethrinsula; (28) S. chapina; (29) S. cristata; (30) S. durango; (31) S. gigantea; (32) S. hawksi; (33) S. marmorata; (34) S. metcalfi; (35) S. monzoni.

FIGURES 42–50. Heads and nota of Scaralina species. (42) S. aethrinsula; (43) S. chapina; (44) S. cristata; (45) S. durango; (46) S. gigantea; (47) S. hawksi; (48) S. marmorata; (49) S. metcalfi; (50) S. monzoni.

FIGURES 57–62. Forewings of Scaralina species. (57) S. aethrinsula; (58) S. chapina; (59) S. cristata; (60) S. durango; (61) S. gigantea; (62) S. hawksi.