Molopopterus hastata Cao & Dietrich, 2020

Cao, Yanghui, Dietrich, Christopher H., Dmitriev, Dmitry A. & Zhang, Yalin, 2020, Taxonomic study of some Afrotropical erythroneurine leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae), Zootaxa 4860 (3), pp. 301-351 : 329-331

1. Molopopterus hastata Cao & Dietrich sp. nov.

( Figs 14 , 26 i–l)

Description. Body lemon yellow (specimen preserved in ethanol before examination). Apical area of vertex, central area of pronotum and brochosome field of forewing slightly darkened; eyes grey; tip of anteclypeus dark brown; basal triangles of mesonotum brown, long. ( Figs 26 i–l)

Male abdominal apodemes 2S ( Fig. 14a ) extended to middle of sternite IV. Anal tube ( Fig. 14b ) far surpassing hind margin of pygofer lobe.

Pygofer lobe ( Fig. 14b ) with distal angle somewhat blunt, with relatively dense fine setae and microsetae. Subgenital plate ( Figs 14b, d ) with about 3 macrosetae, marginal setae numerous, differentiated into three groups: basal group long and thick; middle group peg-like, from subbase to subapex; apical group rigid, relatively long and sparse. Style ( Fig. 14e ) with apical part robust, with transverse whorl-like sculptures; preapical lobe relatively small, with row of sensory setae above preapical lobe. Connective ( Fig. 14f ) with manubrium very wide. Aedeagal shaft ( Figs 14g, h ) thin and long, slightly curved, apex acuminate, with pair of thin processes subapically on dorsal margin directed basad and close to shaft; dorsal apodeme slightly expanded dorsad; preatrium and dorsal apodeme closely appressed, cleft narrow; gonopore subapical on dorsal side.

Measurement. Male length 2.90mm.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, REPUBLIC OF CONGO, Dept. Pool, Iboubikro site, Lesio-Loun Pk, 340m, 03°16.196'S, 015°28.267'E, 01.vi–18.vii.2008, sweeping, coll. Sharkey.

Etymology. The new specific epithet is derived from Latin adjective “ hastatus ” which means “with spear”, referring to the spear-like apex of the aedeagal shaft.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the other species of the genus by the large group of peg-like setae medially on the subgenital plate, the apical whorl-like sculpture of the style and the spear-like apex of the aedeagal shaft.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Molopopterus hastata. a. abdominal apodemes 2S; b. genital capsule; c. subgenital plate, style, connective and sternite IX; d. subgenital plate, dorsal view; e. style, dorsal view; f. connective; g. aedeagus, lateral view; h. aedeagus, ventral view.

FIGURE 26. a–d. Lublinia acaciae; e–h. Lublinia anchoroides; i–l. Molopopterus hastata; m–p. Molopopterus parajota; q–t. Molopopterus steeleae; u–x. Molopopterus ugandica.