Theronus, Stiller, 2009

Stiller, M., 2009, Revision of Elginus Theron (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with the description of two new genera and comments on the grassland leafhopper fauna in South Africa, Zootaxa 2135 (1), pp. 1-56 : 33-34

Theronus gen.n.

Type species: Theronus priapus sp.n. ( Figs 47–49 , 284–290 ).

Gender masculine.

Etymology: Named for the collector, J.G. Theron, who published taxonomic papers on leafhoppers between 1970–1988.

External morphology. Vertex with disc smooth, anterior margin shagreened. Clypeus light brown with ochraceous horizontal arcs. Clypellus broad, 1.3 times as long as wide, tapering apically. Pronotum without carina. Submacropter with tegmina with three anteapical cells, four narrow apical cells, reduced appendix; hind wing about half as long as tegmina, jugal lobe present, folded over anal area. Macropters rare, with hind wing as long as tegmina. Profemur with short, stout setae in row AV, about 8 long, fine intercalary setae, one AM1 seta. Protibial setal formula 1+4; mesotibial setal formula 4+4; metafemur setal formula 2+2+1, with median pair consisting of one robust, long seta, one fine, short seta.

Genital capsule. Male. Aedeagus extremely long, narrow, flattened laterally; extending into tergite VIII, sometimes into tergite VII; gonopore subapical, dorsal ( Figs 284, 285 ). Connective linear, arms fused ( Fig. 284 ). Plate about half length of pygofer; apex denticulate ( Fig. 286 ). Anal tube superficial, not invaginated into pygofer. Pygofer lobe setose, posterior margin uniformly rounded; in dorsal view acutely triangular ( Figs 287, 290 ).

Genital capsule. Female. Pygofer with numerous macrosetae, ovipositor as long as pygofer.

Relationships. This genus is a typical member of the tribe Deltocephalini that is defined by having the connective fused to the aedeagus ( Zahniser & Dietrich, 2008; Ossiannilsson, 1983). It is characterized by the male genitalia that are so large that they extend into abdominal segment VIII or even VII, and have the aedeagus blade-like and curved ventroposteriorly. This genus is not closely related to any Afrotropical genus in this tribe such as Recilia Edwards. Occasionally , however, similar colouration is found in pale specimens of species of genera such as Pravistylus and Vilargus that are in the tribe Paralimnini . No genera from the Palaearctic Region bearing any genitalic resemblance were listed by Ossiannilsson (1983) or Ribaut (1952), although some bear similar external features, such as colour and shape. Linnavuori (1959) described a number of genera from the Nearctic Region in the Deltocephalini , but none show any relationship with Theronus .

Figures

FIGURES 47–50. Theronus priapus and Lecacis species, habitus views. Fig. 47, T. priapus sp.n., male; Fig. 48, T. priapus, female brachypter; Fig. 49, T. priapus, female macropter; Fig. 50, L. platypennis Theron, male.

FIGURES 284–290. Theronus priapus. Fig. 284, aedeagus, ventral view; Fig. 285, aedeagus, lateral view; Fig. 286, plate and valve; Fig. 287, apex of abdomen, dorsal view, depicting position of genitalia; Fig. 288, style; Fig. 289, sternite VII, female; Fig. 290, apex of abdomen, lateral view, depicting position of genitalia.