Paracyrta, Wei, Cong & Zhang, Yalin, 2008

Wei, Cong & Zhang, Yalin, 2008, The identity of the oriental leafhopper genera Cyrta Melichar and Placidus Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Stegelytrinae), with description of a new genus, Zootaxa 1793, pp. 1-27 : 9-10

Paracyrta gen. n.

Type species: Cyrta blattina Jacobi

Diagnosis. This new genus is similar to Cyrta Melichar , but can be distinguished from the latter by the distinctively bicoloured pronotum, the absence of tufts of hairlike setae on the scutellum, the distinctively short setae on the fore tibia ( Fig. 11 D), the more elongate male pygofer with dorsal margin straight ( Fig. 11 I), and the shorter apical extension of the style apical process (Fig. 12G).

Description. Pronotum with disc very dark, lateral area pale brown or dark yellow.

Head small, distinctly narrower than pronotum. Vertex shorter than width between eyes; anterior margin rounded, sloping to front; posterior margin slightly concave; coronal suture distinct, extending nearly to anterior margin. Ocelli on vertex, near anterior margin, situated approximately their own diameters from corresponding eye. Face similar in length to width; lateral frontal suture extending well beyond corresponding ocellus; transclypeal suture absent. Anteclypeus broadening apically, apical margin slightly convex, with or without paired stout setae apically; gena flat; lora broad. Rostrum long, about two thirds length of anteclypeus; labrum about two thirds length of labium. Antenna about as long as body, arising adjacent to midpoint of inner margin of eye; antennal ledge indistinct; antennal pit shallow. Pronotum about 2~2.5X broader than median length; posterior margin concave; lateral margin long with carina present, curved to eye anteriorly. Scutellum length about equal to pronotum; basal width similar to width of head; transversal depression somewhat indistinct; posterior half weakly elevated and inclined from transverse suture; posterolateral ledge indistinct. Forewing with five apical cells; middle and outer subapical cells closed, inner subapical cell open; claval veins connected by crossvein to each other and to claval suture; appendix broad with margin rounded, extended to fourth apical cell; claval margin strongly elevated and crimped at apex. Hind wing venation complete.

Legs densely setose. Fore femur with setae short to long: anterior surface with IC setae difficult to distinguish from AM and AV setae ( Fig. 11 A); dorsal surface with dense setae from base to apex, irregularly arranged ( Fig. 11 B); ventral surface with setae short, somewhat irregularly arranged ( Fig. 11 C). Foretibia with setae very short; AD and PD seta somewhat irregularly arranged ( Figs 11 D, E, F). Hind femur slightly broadened distally, with several distal setae elevated on strong bases and dense short setae subbasally ( Fig. 11 G). Hind tibia flattened and slightly bowed; several supernumeral setae present between AD and PD rows; PD setae very long ( Fig. 11 H).

Male pygofer side distinctly elongate, with macrosetae near dorsal and distal margin; dorsal margin nearly straight; distal margin narrowly rounded ( Fig. 11 I); posterior interconnecting membrane with weakly developed sclerotised areas comprising a long medial area (dorsal connective) between dorsal apodeme of aedeagus and Xth segment (Figs 12D, F). Valve large, posterior margin roundly or angularly produced apically in ventral view; subgenital plate subtriangular, much shorter than pygofer, several short setae on ventral surface (Fig. 12B). Connective somewhat T-shaped, stem long, well sclerotised medially, membranous laterally; arms strong. Style with inner basal arm short, outer basal arm elongate; preapical lobe well developed with several setae adjacent to apical process; apical process moderately long, extending to midpoint of stem of connective, densely crenulate, abruptly expanded subbsally, thereafter evenly tapered to near apex, apex thin and sharply turned medially (Fig. 12G). Aedeagus simple, shaft elongate in lateral view with pair of short apical processes; basal apodeme well developed, connected with dorsal connective; gonopore apical (Figs 12E, F). Xth segment large, elongate ( Figs 11 I, 12A, C).

Female 7th sternite much longer than 6th sternite, with posterior margin roundly convex laterally, distinctively concave medially ( Fig. 13 E). Female pygofer with ventroposterior margin slightly incurved ( Fig. 13 A). First valvulae sculpture comprising striations, aligned longitudinally basally and oblique distally, scale-like sculpture ventroapically ( Fig. 13 B). Second valvulae with blade-like area extending over distal half, with teeth somewhat fine and dorsal surface of teeth finely serrate, dorsal sclerotised and hyaline areas present ( Fig. 13 C). Third valvulae with expanded distal region extending over distal half ( Fig. 13 D).

Distribution. Southern China, Nepal, Vietnam and Thailand (see Paracyrta spp. below).

Remarks. Jacobi (1944) described Cyrta blattina , based on a single female (originally stated as male). However, a newly found male that matches the type of blattina and is from the same locality (Fukien, Fujian Prov.), has several differences from Cyrta (see diagnosis). These differences are considered significant enough to warrant placing this species in a new genus, Paracyrta gen. n., described above. In addition, several species described in Cryta by Zhang et al (2002) are included in the genus. Alhough a key to these species is given by Zhang et al (2002), it has proved to be unreliable, and at least some of these species may be the same as blattina (see remarks under this species below). Therefore, no further key to species is given in the present paper until more material becomes available to clarify the status of the included species.

Figures

FIGURE 11. Paracyrta blattina A, fore femur, anterior surface; B, fore femur, dorsal surface; C, fore femur, ventral surface; D, fore tibia, anterior surface; E, fore tibia, dorsal surface; F, fore tibia, ventral surface. G, apex of hind femur, dorsal view; H, base of hind tibia, dorsal surface; I, male pygofer side, lateral view.

FIGURE 13. Paracyrta blattina A, female genital capsule, lateral view; B, first valvula and detail of sculptures of first valvula; C, second valvula and detail of sculptures of second valvula; D, third valvula; E, apex of female abdomen, ventral view.