Herbiflata, Peng, Lingfei, Fletcher, Murray & Zhang, Yalin, 2016

Peng, Lingfei, Fletcher, Murray & Zhang, Yalin, 2016, A new genus in the family Flatidae with one new combination and three new species (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), Zootaxa 4117 (2), pp. 265-276 : 266

Herbiflata gen. nov.

Type species. Hilavrita xizangensis Chou et Lu, 1981 ; by present designation.

Etymology. The generic name is from Latin word “Herba” (feminine) meaning vegetation or plant.

Diagnosis. The genus Herbiflata , differs from the genus Hilavrita Distant, 1906 by the following external characters: vertex obtusely pointed, (vertex truncate in Hilavrita ); tegmen not spotted, with orange margin (tegmen with black smooth round spots in Hilavrita ); apical angle broadly rounded, (apical angle acute in Hilavrita ); vein ScP+R arising from one stem (veinScP, R and MP arising separately from base in Hilavrita ). Zhang et al. (2011) reviewed the Oriental species of Nephesini with a key to 11 genera. Only one genus, Lecopia Medler, 1991 bears two metatibial lateral spines. Herbiflata also bears two metatibial lateral spines but can be distinguished from Lecopia by the tegmina with ScP+R arising as common stem from basal cell; the tegmen of Lecopia has ScP and R arising separately from the basal cell.

Description. General colour of body light green or pale grey, some specimens with tegminal margin orange; body size of specimens around 9 mm, body oval to elongate oval in lateral view.

Head. Head with anterior margin obtusely pointed; evenly and broadly rounded down to base of frons in lateral view. Frons convex, wider than long, widest in upper portion, disc with median longitudinal carina; lateral margins of frons carinate and elevated, evenly adjacent to clypeus; frontoclypeal suture obtusely angled. Vertex with anterior margin truncate or concaved and elevated, extremely short medially. Clypeus convex, narrower than frons. Antennae short, antennal segment II not extending beyond anterolateral margin of frons. Ocelli present.

Thorax. Pronotum granular, about one-fifth to one-sixth length of mesonotum in midline; without median carina; postocular eminences small, conical. Mesonotum with three longitudinal carinae, which may be obscure.

Tegmen slightly coriaceous, no more than two times longer than wide; costal margin smoothly convex, apical margin convex, with one subapical line of crossveins, apical cells slightly wider than costal membrane; costal membrane broader than costal cell; apical and sutural angles broadly rounded; veins ScP+R, MP, CuA arising from basal cell, ScP+R forked before bulla, MP forks before one third of tegmen, CuA bifurcated slightly apicad of bulla. Legs long, metatibia with two distinct lateral spines.

Male terminalia. Anal tube elongate, bent down in the middle; anus placed in apical half. Pygofer ring-like, narrowing dorsally. Genital style elongate in lateral view, bearing distinct long and sharp capitulum, ventral posterior angle widely rounded. Phallix complex tube-like, strongly arched, bearing various processes.

Female terminalia. Anal segment longer than wide, usually ovate in dorsal view. Gonoplac bearing several rows of tooth-like setae or small teeth on apical field, posterior margin with a row of well-developed teeth. Gonapophysis IX small. Gonapophysis VIII usually broad basally, tapering apicad.

Distribution. Oriental region ( China) ( Fig. 1 ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geographical distribution of Herbiflata species in China.