Neodelphax fuscoterminata (Berg) Berg, 2017

Marino De Remes Lenicov, Ana M. & Brentassi, M. Eugenia, 2017, New taxa and combinations in Neotropical Delphacini (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea), Zootaxa 4281 (1), pp. 280-290 : 286-287

Neodelphax fuscoterminata (Berg) comb. n.

( Figs 14 a–g)

1879. Liburnia fuscoterminata Berg: 296.

1879. Liburnia nigricula Berg: 296; syn. by Remes Lenicov, 1996: 124. 1914. Megamelus fuscoterminata (Berg); comb. by Crawford: 632. 1914. Megamelus nigricula (Berg); comb. by Crawford: 632.

1926. Delphacodes fuscoterminata (Berg); comb. by Muir: 38. 1926. Delphacodes nigricula (Berg); comb. by Muir: 37.

1996. Dicranotropis fuscoterminata (Berg); comb. by Remes Lenicov, 1996: 124.

Emended diagnosis. General coloration predominantly dark brown to black, except carinae, antennae and legs yellowish. In macropterous form, forewings hyaline, with brown elongated spots on the area between the crossveins and the apical margin. Vertex subquadrate, basal compartment relatively short. Submedian frontal carinae joined far below lower level of eyes. Processes of anal segment large, distinctly dilated subapically and projected in acute apical spine; parameres S-shaped, regularly curved apically, inner angle obscure; phallotheca short; caudal process slender, ventrally projected closely below phallotrema; phallotrema oval on left side.

Supplementary description. Female genitalia: Abdomen with membranous central part between pregenital sclerites. Genital scale ( Fig.14 e) heart-like, ending in strong spinose median process as long as scale length. Valvifers VIII ( Fig. 14 f) elongate, slightly broadening towards base, with rounded basal lobe on inner margin. Gonapophyses IX ( Fig. 14 g) slender, dorsally finely denticulated, slightly curved in basal 1/2, with ca. 20–22 small sharp teeth on dorsal margin in distal 1/2, with distal apex narrow and strongly angled; anal style moderately short.

Supplementary Measurements.

Male: Macropterous: L.: 3.83 (3.33–4); B.L.: 2.5 (2.41–2.66); W.:1.05 (1–1.08); w.: 72 (0.70–0.74); w.l.: 2.85 (2.8–2.9); t.n.: 26–28. Brachypterous: L.: 2.2 (2–2.4); W.: 0–91; w.:0.65; w.l.: 1.22; t.n.: 24–28.

Female: Macropterous: L.: 4.08 (3.91–4.16); B.L.: 3.08 (3–3.16); W.:1.13 (1.08–1.16); w.: 0.75; w.l.: 3.23; t.n.: 26–28. Brachypterous: L.:2.79 (2.75–3); W.: 1.04 (1–1.08); w.: 0.75; w.l.: 1.43 (1.3–1.5); t.n.: 26.

Remarks. Berg (1879) described Liburnia fuscoterminata based on a single macropterous male specimen from Chacabuco , Buenos Aires province, and L. nigricula based on a brachypterous male from Corrientes province in Argentina. Remes Lenicov (1996), based on the examination of type specimens, regarded L. nigricula as synonymous with L. fuscoterminata and transferred this species to Dicranotropis based mainly on the general aspect and carination of the head and pronotum. In that contribution, the author redescribed the male of D. fuscoterminata and added some traits for the female and other winged forms, new geographical records and host plants.

The most definitive feature that distinguishes N. fuscoterminata is the phallotheca, with a relatively short shaft and slender caudal terminal process arising close to the phallotrema in males, and the distinctive heart-shaped genital scale strongly produced in a stout caudal process in females ( Figs 14 d, e).

Distribution. ARGENTINA: Salta, Tucumán, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Remes Lenicov & Virla (1999).

Biology. N. fuscoterminata is one of the most widely distributed delphacids in Argentina, being predominant within the humid Pampean region of central-western Argentina between 30° and 39° S, Morrone (2014). Contributions on morphological and bioecological aspects of this species, such as development stages and some demographic parameters were published by Remes Lenicov & Virla (1999) and Remes Lenicov et al. (1997, 2008).

Sanitary importance. This species coexists with the main vector species, Delphacodes kuscheli Fennah , on maize agrosystems, within the endemic MRCV area (Remes Lenicov & Virla 1999). Because of the high abundance of this species in crop areas infected with MRCV in central areas of Argentina, it is suspected as a vector of the pathogen.

Natural Enemies. Nymphs and adults were found parasitized by Pseudogonatopus chilensis Olmi ( Hymenoptera , Dryinidae ), Virla (1995), Cephalops penepauculus Hardy ( Diptera , Pipunculidae ), Virla & Rafael (1996), Remes Lenicov & Virla (1999) and one unidentified species of Elenchidae (Strepsiptera) .

Material examined: Tucumán: 2 males (macropters), 2 males (brachypters), 1 female (macropter), 2 females (brachypters), S.M. de Tucumán, on maize, 12.02.1998, Virla col. ; 2 males (macropters), 2 males (brachypters), 1 female (macropter), 2 females (brachypters), Tafí del Valle, La Quebradita, on Cynodon sp., 20.V.1998 Virla leg.

Buenos Aires: 2 males (macropters), 2 males (brachypters), 2 females (macropters), 2 female (brachypters), Balcarce, on maize, XII.1991, Remes Lenicov col. ; 3 males (macropters), 2 males (brachypters), 2 females (macropters), 2 females (brachypters), La Plata, on grass, XII.2006, Remes Lenicov col.; 1 male (macropter), 1 female (brachypter), Lomas de Zamora, on grass, 10.V.1999, Barrios col. (MLP).

Figures

FIGURES 14 – 16. Comparative features that distinguish species of Neodelphax n. gen. 14 (a – g), N. fuscoterminata (Berg). a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view; e – g, Female: e, genital scale, ventral view, f, right valvifer VIII, g, median gonapophysis IX, lateral view. 15, N. sakakibarai sp. n.; a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view. 16, N. acheron (Fennah); a – c, Habitus, male: a, lateral view, b, head and thorax, dorsal view, c, head, frontal view; d, male genitalia, caudal view; e – g, Female, e, genital scale, ventral view, f, right valvifer VIII, g, median gonapophysis IX, lateral view.