Chloropsalta ochreata ( Melichar, 1902 )

Mozaffarian, Fariba, 2018, An Identification key to the species of Auchenorrhyncha of Iranian fauna recorded as pests in orchards and a review on the pest status of the species, Zootaxa 4420 (4), pp. 475-501 : 493

Chloropsalta ochreata ( Melichar, 1902) ( Figs 61 and 69 )

Recorded damage and economic importance in the orchards of Iran: Mild, moderate or severe pests on roots and branches of on grapevine, pear, apple, peach and cherry ( Farahbakhsh 1961; Esmaili 1984).

Recorded damage in the orchards of other parts of the world: Not recorded.

Recorded distribution in Iran: Needs further study.

Conclusion: Reviewing the Iranian literature shows the name of this species as a pest has nearly always been used instead of Cicadatra alhageos (Kolenati, 1857) and even sometimes the two valid species are mentioned as synonyms ( Babaii 1967; Behdad 1991). During the recent years, none of the specimens which were collected by the author, those which were already deposited in Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum and the others which were sent to be identified from different parts of Iran were really Ch. ochreata . In addition, none of the published records of Ch. Ochreata as a pest has been confirmed by a taxonomist. At the moment the only trustable record for this species in Iran is the original description by Melichar (1902) from the vineyards in southeast. Hence, the true pest status of the species needs to be studied after the correct identifications.

Figures

FIGURES 61–68. Habitus of Cicadidae of Iran recorded as pests in orchards: 61. Chloropsalta ochreata; 62. Chloropsalta smaragdula; 63. Cicadatra alhageos; 64. Cicadatra persica; 65. Pagiphora annulata; 66. Psalmocharias flava; 67. Psalmocharias querula; 68. Tibicen plebejus (already published in: Mozaffarian & Sanborn 2016).

FIGURES 69–75. Male genitaliae of Cicadidae of Iran recorded as pests in orchards: 69. Chloropsalta ochreata, apical part of aedeagus, ventral view; 70. Chloropsalta smaragdula, aedeagus, lateral view; 71. Cicadatra alhageos, laeral view; 72. Cicadatra persica, apical part of aedeagus, lateral view; 73. Psalmocharias flava, apical part of aedeagus, lateral view; 74. Psalmocharias querula, apical part of aedeagus, lateral view; 75. Tibicen plebejus, Aedeagus, lateral view.