Neoaliturus argillaceus Mityaev, 1975

Tishechkin, D. Yu., 2022, New and interesting records of Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera) in European Russia, Russian Entomological Journal 31 (3), pp. 234-248 : 243

24. Neoaliturus argillaceus Mityaev, 1975

Figs 76, 84–85.

DISTRIBUTION. Southern Ukraine, Crimea, steppes of European Russia, Northern Caucasus including the Black Sea Coast, western and northern Kazakhstan, steppes of Western Siberia (environs of Novosibirsk, Southern Tyva), Mongolia.

RECORDS. Several localities in the southern part of European Russia within the steppe zone and in Ciscaucasia [ Tishechkin, 2021a].

REMARK. Was found on different species of Artemisia . Descriptions of species from the N. fenestratus group can be found in Tishechkin [2021a]. For identification of species from European Russia the following key can be used.

1. Black, shiny, forewings with milky-white translucent spots on clavus, in subapical part of forewings, and sometimes also at costal margin (Figs 71–74). Pygofer appendage comparatively short, does not extends beyond the pygofer margin (Figs. 77–81) ................................ 2

— Yellowish brown with dense dark pattern, only very rarely, almost black. Forewings semitransparent with dark veins, dark pattern in cells and in apical part, and with rounded light spots (Figs 75–76). Pygofer appendage comparatively long, reaches or slightly extends beyond the pygofer margin (Figs. 82–85)................................ 3

2. Pygofer appendage abruptly tapered in the middle (Figs 77–79) ..................................................... N. fenestratus

— Pygofer appendage gradually tapered towards apex, crescent-shaped (Figs 80–81) ..................... N. albilacustris

3. Pygofer appendage slightly curved downward or almost straight in basal three quarters, smoothly bent upwards in apical one quarter (Figs 82–83) ............... N. guttulatus

— Pygofer appendage straight or curved upward in basal three quarters, as a rule, more abruptly bent upwards in apical one quarter (Figs 84–85) ............. N. argillaceus