Stirellus kitwensis, Duan & Zhang & Dietrich, 2019

Duan, Yani, Zhang, Yating & Dietrich, Christopher H., 2019, Six new species of Stenometopiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with redescription of additional species and new distributional records, Zootaxa 4603 (2), pp. 201-240 : 231

Stirellus kitwensis sp. nov.

( Figs 27–28 )

Description. Length. Male: 3.4mm; female: 3.6mm.

Coloration. General color stramineous with ochraceous and brown or black markings ( Fig. 27A, B, D ). Crown with transverse apical and preapical band sometimes joined by black longitudinal stripe along midline, pronotum with white median area partly or completely enclosed by brown or black pigment, mesonotum with basal triangles brown or black and more extensive dark pigment sometimes present ( Fig. 27A, D ). Face with dorsal, median and ventral transverse black bands variably developed ( Fig. 27E ). Forewing translucent with symmetrical pattern consisting of large irregular orange areas and numerous small orange spots ( Fig. 27A, B, D ). Femora and tibiae with dark brown marks ( Fig. 27B ). Abdominal sternites dark variably infused with white ( Fig. 27F ).

Morphology. Head slightly narrower than pronotum, subconical, anterior margin rounded to face, acutely angled ( Fig. 27A, B, D ). Vertex nearly as long as 2x width between eyes ( Fig. 27A, D ). Anteclypeus nearly parallelsided, extending slightly beyond normal curve of genae ( Fig. 27E ). Pronotum median length slightly shorter than median length of crown. Mesonotum and scutellum together slightly shorter than pronotum ( Fig. 27A, D ). Forewing macropterous, usually exposing apex of abdomen in female, with supernumerary crossveins ( Fig. 27A, B, D ).

Male genitalia. Pygofer side long, with few macrosetae dorsally, dorsal margin nearly straight posteriorly, posterior margin rounded ( Fig. 28A ). Subgenital plate slightly convex laterally, macrosetae uniseriate laterally ( Fig. 28C ). Style apophysis attenuated, laterallylaterally curved, preapicalpreapical lobelobe roundedrounded ( Fig. 28D ). ConnectiveConnectiveConnective Y-shaped, stemstemstem broadened distally and nearly as long as arms ( Fig. 28E ). Aedeagal shaft bent strongly dorsad near base, relatively short and sinuate in lateral view with apex attenuated, parallel to aedeagal base, slightly widened preapically then tapered to sharp point in dorsal view, with subapical membranous area ( Fig. 28 F–H).

Female. Hind margin of seventh sternum shallowly concave ( Fig. 27F ).

Material examined. Holotype: Ƌ, Zambia: Copperbelt Prov. ~ 12km SSE of Kitwe Kumasamba Lodge , 12° 54′ 325" S 28° 14′ 373" E, 1151m, 31 x–10 xi 2007, sweep, ZA-01, coll. J.N. Zahniser ( INHS) . Paratype: 1♀, Zambia: Northwest Prov. ~ 28.5 km N Mwinilunga, 11° 30′ 16.1" S 24° 22′ 44.8" E, Chitunta plain grassland, 1384m, 7 xi 2007, sweep, ZA-03, coll. J.N. Zahniser ( INHS) .

Etymology. The species epithet is based on the holotype locality.

Distribution. Zambia.

Remarks. This species differs from other species of Stirellus in the unique color pattern ( Fig. 27A, D ); forewing with supernumerary crossveins ( Fig. 27A, B, D ), evenly rounded male pygofer apex, and aedeagal shaft with a subapical membranous area ( Fig. 28 F–H).

Figures

FIGURE 27. Stirellus kitwensis sp. nov. A, D: habitus, dorsal view; B: habitus, lateral view; C, E: face; F: the end of female abdomen, ventral view. A–C: holotype, male; D–F: paratype, female.

FIGURE 28. Stirellus kitwensis sp. nov. A: male pygofer lobe, lateral view; B: male pygofer and segments X and XI, dorsal view; C: valve, subgenital plates and styles, ventral view; D: style, dorsal view; E: connective, dorsal view; F: aedeagus, dorsal view; G: aedeagus, lateral view; H: connective and aedeagus, lateral view. A–H: holotype, male.