Goniagnathus venenensis Fletcher

Fletcher, Murray J. & Zahniser, James N., 2008, The first record of Goniagnathini from Australia with description of four new species of Goniagnathus Fieber (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), Zootaxa 1692, pp. 43-54 : 50

Goniagnathus venenensis Fletcher sp.nov.

( Figures 2, 8 , 29–34 )

Holotype: male, Poison Pt Plain, 20km W of Bourke, NSW, 26.ii.1981, B.J. Loudon ( ASCU: ASCTHE005914)

Paratypes: New South Wales: 1 male, 1 female, 1 unknown (lacking abdomen) same data as holotype ( ASCU); South Australia: 2 males, Keith 26.x.2004, pit trap, SGSL project ( ASCU)

Colour: Pale testaceous to light brown, with sparse dark brown speckling.

Morphology: Brachypterous. Length: Female (N=2) 3.80–3.82 mm

Male genitalia: Pygofer ( Figure 29 ) roundly lobate, with oblique groove dividing basal section from apical lobate section which bears subapical biseriate row of macrosetae decreasing in length from dorsal to ventral. Ventral margin of lobe emarginate forming two ventral prominences. Subgenital plates ( Figure 30 ) forming quadrate, transverse plate. Parameres ( Figure 31 ) with apical section finely rugose, well sclerotised, short, broad and shallowly concave apically with outer lobe narrower than inner which is little more than angulate corner. Basal section transverse, narrowing towards articulation with connective. Aedeagus ( Figures 32, 33 ) stout, parallel-sided, curved anterodorsally, bifurcate apically on anterodorsal side of apical gonopore.

Female: Pregenital sternite ( Figure 34 ) with hind margin sinuately emarginate, deeply triangularly excavate medially.

Etymology: The species name is derived from the Greek for poison, reflecting the name of the type locality.

Notes: All known specimens of this species are brachypterous. A size range is not given for males since the four males were all dissected prior to measurements being taken. In general size, males are comparable to the females.

Figures

FIGURES 7 – 12. facial view of head: 7. G. osmelaki, 8. G. venenensis, 9. G. crocodontis, 10. G. pectinatus, 11. G. centralis male, 12. G. centralis, NT female.

FIGURES 29 – 34. G. venenensis male genitalia: 29. pygofer, lateral view, 30. subgenital plates, 31. right paramere and base of aedeagus, ventral view, 32. aedeagus, lateral view, 33 aedeagus, posteroventral view, 34. female pregenital sternite.