Vartalapa, 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 : 18-19

Vartalapa gen. nov.

Type species: Vartalapa robusta sp. nov.

Medium sized leafhoppers, 6.8 to 7.2 mm long. Bluish green species with orange stripes on pronotum and forewings.

Vertex anteriorly triangularly produced, transition between vertex and face carinate. Ocelli placed close to adjacent eye on margin. Frontoclypeus with a slight constriction near base of antennae. Clypeus slightly wider distally than at base, and 0.37 to 0.49 as long as frontoclypeus, not exceeding genal curve. Pronotum flat, 2.4 and 2.6 times as wide as median length, lateral margins curved. Forewing about 4 times as long as wide; apices obliquely truncate; inner anteapical cell open behind. Arrangement of spines on hind tibia R1 22 + 1, R2 11 + 1, R3 21. Hind basitarsus with 3 platellae.

Male pygophore lobe narrowed caudally terminating in a sclerotized process, a slender membranous process and a subcaudal membranous rounded lobe, without long stout setae. Anal collar elongate as long as pygophore, without processes. Valve triangular. Subgenital plate triangular or quadrate, separate with irregularly arranged long and short setae. Connective and style extending anteriorly much beyond anterior margins of pygophore. Style with inner anterior angle slender, elongate. Apophysis of style with antero­caudal angle produced into an acute process, surface transversely rugose. Connective and aedeagus fused; arms of connective in contact with each other. Aedeagus simple, tubular, with a pair of ventral processes exceeding aedeagal shaft, gonopore apical.

Female seventh sternum with caudal and lateral depression; ovipositor longer than pygophore.

Remarks: This genus is very homogenous and shares the characters of Stymphalus and Shivania in having fused aedeagus and connective but differs from these in its peculiar structure of pygophore which has both a ribbon like membranous process found in Va r ta and a membranous rounded lobe. The connective and style are anteriorly projected beyond anterior margin of the pygophore, a character not found in any other genera of this complex. The genus appears to be related to Shivania but has ventral paraphysis to the aedeagal shaft and well articulated tenth segment.

Distribution: Oriental: Indo­Australian region.