Parallygus rameshi Viraktamath & Webb

Dai, Wu & Zhang, Yalin, 2012, Revision of the Oriental leafhopper genus Parallygus Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with description of new species, Zootaxa 3157, pp. 41-53 : 49-52

Parallygus rameshi Viraktamath & Webb , sp. nov.

Figs 1 D,H, 7A–K.

Coloration similar to P. burmindicus .

Male genitalia: Pygofer lobe posteriorly rounded, with posterodorsal rounded membranous lobe; macrosetae in posterior half and hair-like setae on dorsal area of pygofer near base of anal segment. Subgenital plate rather semicircular, with apical long setae, anterior extension acutely pointed. Connective without stem, each arm divided, independently articulating with base of shaft. Aedeagus with well developed dorsal apodeme, each shaft gradually narrowed to apex, strongly sinuately curved with attenuated apex extending beyond subapical gonopore.

Measurements. Male 6.7 mm long, 1.5 mm wide across eyes and 1.8 mm wide across hind margin of pronotum.

Material examined. INDIA: HOLOTYPE 3, W. Bengal, Calcutta, 11.xi.1981, C.A. Viraktamath ( BMNH). PARATYPES: INDIA: 1 3, 1 Ƥ, W. Bengal: Kalimpong, 29.x.1981, C.A. Viraktamath; Meghalaya: Cherrapunjee, 5.xi.1981, C.A. Viraktamath; Himachal Pradesh: 1 3, Simla 2133m, 14.x.1979, C.A. Viraktamath ( UASB).

Remarks. P. rameshi and P. burmindicus form a closely related species group with divided connective and aedeagus not having dorsal and ventral processes on the shaft. P. jiuhuaensis may also belong to this group judging from the shape of the aedeagus. P. rameshi differs from P. burmindicus in having gradually narrowed aedeagal shafts and in the presence of a large membranous mesal lobe on the male pygofer. Both species differ from P. d i v a ricatus in having aedeagal shafts long and sinuate, the gonopore subapical rather than apical and in lacking the basal and ventral processes on the aedeagal shaft.

Etymology. This species is named after Mr. A. Ramesh, Uniliver, Liaison Office, Bangalore for his interest in insect systematics.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal (A – D) and lateral (E – F) views of species of Parallygus. A, E. P. guttatus Matsumura from China; B, F. P. jiuhuaensis Dai & Zhang, sp. nov.; C, G. P. b u r m i n d i c u s Viraktamath & Webb, sp. nov.; D, H. P. rameshi Viraktamath & Webb, sp. nov.