Orosius cellulosus (Lindberg)

(Figs 9–12, 27–29, 39–41, 51–53)

Thamnotettix cellulosa Lindberg, 1927: 90

Thamnotettix cellulosus Zachvatkin, 1935:109 – Metcalf, 1967: 737

Nesophrosyne cellulosa Lindberg, 1958: 176

Orosius cellulosa Ghauri, 1966: 239

Nesophrosyne (Orosius) cellulosa Heller & Linnavuori, 1968: 10

Description. In addition to generic characters, the specific characters for this species are:

Body length: 2.5–2.7 mm.

Male genitalia: Pygofer narrowed rounded, pointed, with irregular setae over posterior half (Fig. 41); valve is free to pygofer, triangular shape, articulation of valve with pygofer pointed (Fig. 52); subgenital plate with one row of macrosetae near margin, with stout membranous finger-like process on mesal edge of posterior margin (Fig. 40); style bent small fingerlike with preapical lobe, apex straight and pointed (Fig. 39); connective articulated with aedeagus, Y shaped (Fig. 29); anal tube appendages articulated to posterodorsal margin of pygofer laterally, form end like spine, straight and narrowed, arising from base of anal tube (Fig. 51); aedeagal shafts arising from base, Shafts with branches extent with parallel, apices of branches slightly curved inward, pointed, lateral view, shafts curved at their length, branches length 3 times the base (Figs 27–28).

Female genitalia: female 7th sternite approximately 3 times as broad at base as long medially, with sinuous posterior margin, posterior margin with lobe with slightly median notch in middle (Fig. 53); numerous macrosetae on pygofer.

Specimens examined: 1♀ KSA: Rhodet khorim: 25°22.58’N, 47°16.44’E, 559m, light trap 29. IV. 2012, S. El-Sonbati, H. Al Dhafer; 1♀ 5♂, same but 28. VII. 2012; 1♂ Deirab: 24°31'50.7"N 46°37'10.5"E, 18. IX. 2014, S. El-Sonbati; 2♀ 2♂ Al Magardah W. Talalea: 19°02.740’N, 41°46.333’E, 259m, 11. X. 2013 , light trap, S. El- Sonbati; 1♀ Asir, Abha, Raydah: 18°11.749’N, 42°23.345’E, 1614m, 24. II. 2014 , S. El Sonbati, R. Iftekhar; 1♀, KSA: Al Baha, Shada Al Ala: 19°50.329’N, 41°18.604’E, 1563m, 15. II. 2014 , light trap, H. Al Dhafer, H. Fadl, M. Abdel-Dayem, A. El-Gharbawy, A. El-Torky, S. El Sonbati; 1♀, same but 19°51.762’N, 41°18.089’E, 1225m, 2. III. 2015; 4♂, same but 21. IV. 2014; 1♀, same but 19°50.411’N, 41°18.686’E, 1611m, 2. IX. 2015; 1♀, same but 19°52.598’N, 41°18.672’E, 892m, 24. IV. 2014, H. Al Dhafer, S. El-Sonbati; 2♀ 7♂, Oman: Dhofor, Salalah, Ayn Sahalnoot, 19. XI. 2017 , L. T. 17°08'53.7"N 54°10'41.6"E, Coll. El-Sonbati S. A.; 7♀, Oman: Dhofor, Salalah, W. Derbate, 17.XI.2017 , L. T. 17°08'08.6"N 54°30'42.3"E, Coll. El-Sonbati S. A.

Distribution: Ethiopia (Heller & Linnavuori, 1968), Australia, Russia, Sudan (Ghauri, 1966; Fletcher, et al., 2016); Saudi Arabia (present study).

Ecology and biology. O. cellulosus was commonly found in the central and southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia with affinities to Afrotropical region (Figs 59–61). This species is also considered as a vector of phytoplasma diseases. Most of this species were collected by light trap.

Diagnosis: O. cellulosus can be distinguished by aedeagus, pygofer, style and spine at base of anal tube: aedeagal shafts curved at their length with curved, pointed apically (Figs 27 ¯28); pygofer narrowed rounded, pointed (Fig. 41); style, apex straight and pointed (Fig. 39); spine of anal tube straight and narrowed (Fig. 51).