Tenuicapitis, Wang & Zhang, 2024

Wang, Dongming & Zhang, Yalin, 2024, A new genus and species in the tribe Penthimiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with a key to genera of the tribe from China, Zootaxa 5399 (5), pp. 587-593 : 588

Tenuicapitis gen. n.

Type species: Tenuicapitis xizangensis sp. n.

Diagnosis. The new genus differs from other Penthimiini as follow: crown distinctly produced with bicarinate marginal rim overhanging flat frontoclypeus, ocelli on crown near anterior margin well separated from eyes; dorsal color pattern reticulate, forewing with many false veins; male subgenital plate with sublateral row of macrosetae; style apex slender.

Description. Head in profile thin, anterior margin rimmed with two carinae, produced in dorsal view; crown longer than half distance between eyes, and shorter than median length of pronotum; ocelli located at side of crown, closer to corresponding eye than to apex of crown; lateral frontal sutures reaching ocelli; coronal suture about 1/3 length of vertex. Clypeus flat, broadening dorsally; clypellus pear-shaped, ridged medially, truncate at apex; lorum flat; antennal ledge developed. Pronotum approximately 2× broader than median length, smooth; posterior margin weakly concave; lateral margin long, carina present, nearly straight ventrally. Scutellum broadly triangular with transverse median impression distinct. Forewing elongate, semi-opaque, fine dark brown reticulations; appendix developed; with five apical and three ante-apical cells ( Fig. 1A ). Hind wing with four distal apical cells ( Fig. 1B ). Fore femur with short dorsal setae, AM1 strong, situated near ventral margin; AD1 slender and long; IC with row of fine setae ( Fig. 1C ); front tibia with about 8 and 17 setae in rows AD and AV, respectively ( Fig. 1D ). Macrosetal formula of hind femur apex 2+2+1 ( Fig. 1E ); hind tibia with AD setae very strong with several short setae between larger setae; AV and PV setae dense ( Fig. 1F ); hind tarsomeres I and II truncate distally, each with transverse row of blunt setae ( Fig. 1G ).

Male pygofer with some macrosetae near posterior margin. Valve nearly rectangular. Subgenital plate nearly triangular with four to five sublateral macrosetae. Connective short, Y-shaped. Style slender distally with series of setae on lateral margin.

Remarks. This genus has some resemblance to Chanohirata Hayashi & Machida and Uzelina Melichar , but differs in having thin head in lateral view compared to thicker head in both latter genera. This new genus is also similar to Tambila Distant , but differs in having slender body, distinct produced head in dorsal view, forewing with five apical cells, a longer style and more complex shape of the aedeagus.

Etymology. This genus name, a combination of the Latin “ tenuis ”, meaning “thin”, and “ caput ”, meaning “head”, refers to the head in profile thin. The gender is masculine.

Distribution. China (Xizang).

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–G. Tenuicapitis xizangensis A, Forewing; B, Hindwing; C, Fore-femur; D, Fore-tibia; E, Apex of hind femur; F, Hind-tibia; G, Hind-tarsus.