Neodelphax acheron (Fennah) Fennah, 2017

Marino De Remes Lenicov, Ana M. & Brentassi, M. Eugenia, 2017, New taxa and combinations in Neotropical Delphacini (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea), Zootaxa 4281 (1), pp. 280-290 : 287-288

Neodelphax acheron (Fennah) , comb. n.

( Figs 16 a–g)

1957. Dicranotropis acheron Fennah: 381.

1996. Dicranotropis acheron: Remes Lenicov: 126.

Emended diagnosis. General coloration yellowish brown with lighter intercarinal areas of frons, antennae and legs. In macropterous form, forewings hyaline, with light brown elongated spots on the area between the crossveins and the apical margin.Vertex shorter than wide, basal compartment relatively large. Submedian frontal carinae joined just below lower level of eyes. Processes of anal segment uniformly wide at base; parameres slender, strongly produced laterad near apex, with acute inner apical angle; phallotheca long, with fine denticles laterally aligned along apical half and spiniform process close to base projecting upwards.

Supplementary description. Female genitalia: Genital scale ( Fig. 16 e) nearly triangular, wide and rounded on anterior margin with relatively short, slender caudal process medially produced. Valvifers VIII ( Fig. 16 f) elongate, slightly broadening towards base, with rounded and relatively short basal lobe on inner margin. Gonapophyses IX ( Fig. 16 g) slender, dorsally finely denticulated, curved in basal 1/2, with ca. 20–22 small sharp teeth on dorsal margin in distal 1/2, with distal apex narrow and strongly angled; anal style moderately short.

Supplementary measurenment.

Male: Macropterous: L.: 3.45 (3.33–3.48); B.L: 2.25 (2.10–2.33); W.:0.92; w.: 0.67; w.l.: 2.9; t.n.: 20–22. Brachypterous: L.: 2.25; W.: 0.97 (0.91–1); w.: 0.8; w.l.: 1.2; t.n.: 20.

Female: Macropterous: L.: 3.62 (3.33–3.91); B.L: 2.91 (2.83–3); W.:1.02; w.: 0.75; w.l.: 2.57 (2.4–2.75); t.n.: 20–22. Brachypterous: L.:2.4; W.: 1.08; w.: 0.75; w.l.: 1.25; t.n.: 20–21.

Remarks. The general morphology and body and forewing coloration was well documented by Fennah (1957) based on a brachypterous male specimen. The macropterous male and female winged forms were described by Remes Lenicov (1996).

The most definitive featured that distinguish N. acheron from their congeners, are the smaller size, the yellowish brown coloration and the phallotheca with a relatively long shaft and slender short, spiniform process close to the base projected upwards, in males (Remes Lenicov 1996, fig.13, pg.126).

Distribution. Chile: Juan Fernández Islands, Masatierra; Bahía Cumberland (Fennah 1957, Remes Lenicov 1996). Recently, it was recorded in Continental Chile: Los Vilos (Coquimbo Region), 31° 55′ S, 71° 31′ W, Mantagua (Valparaíso Region), 32°88'33"S and 71°50' W and Chaihuín (Los Ríos Region) 39°93'33"S and 73°58' 33"W, Campodonico (2015).

This species represents the southernmost limit of the genus.

Biology. Campodonico (2015) collected all the specimens of N. acheron in coastal places; in Montagua and Chaihuín they were found on grasslands next to bodies of water, while in Los Vilos collections they were collected in grasslands next to the forest swamp of Ñagué.

Natural Enemies. Adults were found parasitized by unidentified species of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera) as Olmi, in lit., Remes Lenicov (1996).

Material examined: CHILE: 3 males (macropters), 3 males (brachypters), 3 females (macropters), 3 females (brachypters), Juan Fernández ; Robinson Crusoe I, Bahía Cumberland, 5.I.1992, Olmi leg., 2 males (macropters), 2 males (brachypters), 2 females (macropters), 2 females (brachypters), Puerto Francés, Robinson Crusoe. 1, 9.I.1992, Olmi leg. ( MLP) .

Scale lines: Figs. 14–16 (a) = 1 mm; Figs. 14–16 (b, c, d, g) = 0.5 mm; Figs. 14–16 (e, f) = 0.25 mm.

Figures

FIGURES 14 – 16. Comparative features that distinguish species of Neodelphax n. gen. 14 (a – g), N. fuscoterminata (Berg). a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view; e – g, Female: e, genital scale, ventral view, f, right valvifer VIII, g, median gonapophysis IX, lateral view. 15, N. sakakibarai sp. n.; a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view. 16, N. acheron (Fennah); a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view; e – g, Female, e, genital scale, ventral view, f, right valvifer VIII, g, median gonapophysis IX, lateral view.