Tomaspisinella (Merinx) subgen. nov.

Type-species T. bolivari sp. nov.

Etymology. merinx (feminine), bristle (more setose than other subgenera).

Distribution. Brazil and Venezuela.

Diagnosis. Pronotum densely setose; theca fused to phallobase as in Cicadellidae .

Description. Frons scarcely inflated, in profile receding; tegmina with 1 small, weakly defined central anteapical cell; costal margin of hind wing with 2 small hooks, or 2 hooks and a long seta. Male pygofer (exclusive of subgenital plates) about as long as deep; subgenital plates appearing as avicephaliform processes of pygofer (Figs 34–35 A–B), separated by narrow, U-shaped notch (Fig. 35 D) or with slender median processes (Fig. 34 D) separated by a median slit, resembling subgenital plates of Ischnorhinini; styles either globular, or right-angled at midlength; aedeagus stout, not divided (phallobase thus absent), U-shaped, slightly wider below gonopore placed on caudal surface well before tip.

Included species. Two new species, described below.