Xyphon fulgidum (Nottingham 1932)

Catanach, Therese A., Dietrich, Chris H. & Woolley, James B., 2013, A revision of the New World sharpshooter genus Xyphon Hamilton (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae), Zootaxa 3741 (4), pp. 490-510 : 498-499

Xyphon fulgidum (Nottingham 1932)

( Figs 3 B, 4B)

Carneocephala fulgida Nottingham 1932

Xyphon fulgida (Nottingham 1932) : Hamilton 1985

Diagnosis. A large leafhopper (female 5.5–6.0 mm; male 4.5–5.0 mm) lacking dark markings on the head. The densely reticulate forewings are similar to those of X. flaviceps , but X. fulgidum may be distinguished by the comparatively smaller ocelli (distance between ocelli greater than 7 times ocular width and ocelli located more than 2 times ocular width from edge of crown).

Head. Clypellus-frontoclypeus junction in lateral view distinctly angular (90%) or evenly convex, (10%); frontoclypeus entirely yellow with brown muscle scars variably developed. Crown lacking dark markings or lines anterior margin, angular; white band along boundary with face either complete (43%), present but broken by face color (43%), or absent (14%); orange pigment absent; in lateral view concave. Distance from ocelli to lateral edge of head more than 2 times ocelli width and distance between ocelli at least 7.5 times ocelli width.

Thorax. Pronotum with dark green to brown circular markings absent; circular indentations absent (90%) or present (10%); midline concolorous with lateral areas. Proepisternum with posterior edge not irregular (62%) or irregular (38%). Mesonotum, green, exposed areas unmarked.

Forewing. Mainly green, including anal veins. Apex densely reticulate with many crossveins.

Legs. Hind femur macrosetal formula 2+1. Plantar surface of hind tarsomere with 4-5 paleate setae.

Abdomen. Sterna of male mostly yellow (100%).

Male genitalia. Pygofer basolateral setae scattered and erect; subgenital plate with macrosetae absent; pygofer and subgenital plates with fine setae present. Aedeagal shaft in lateral view with dorsal process acute, not compressed, wider than tall; in ventral view broadly ovoid; shaft in dorsal view not compressed. Ventral flange not distinct. Paraphyses in dorsal view forming “U”. Style with single seta.

Material examined. We coded 11 males and 10 females. Approximately 100 additional specimens were examined.

Host plants. Collected from vinegarweed ( Trichostema lanceolatum ).

Distribution. Known only from California.

Primary type. Holotype (and 85 paratypes) deposited in the SEMC, University of Kansas. Holotype is a female in good condition. Verbatim label on holotype: Lemon Grove / Calif. 7-24-29 / B. H. Beamer.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Xyphon species, lateral views. A, X. flaviceps; B, X. fulgidum; C, X. gillettei; D, X. nudum; E, X. reticulatum; F, X. triguttatum; G, X. spadice sp. nov.