Mitjaevia gracilis Cao & Zhang, 2025

Yang, Meixia, Cao, Yanghui & Zhang, Yalin, 2025, Notes of the leafhopper genus Mitjaevia Dworakowska from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae), with descriptions of eight new species, Zootaxa 5723 (3), pp. 335-358 : 344

6. Mitjaevia gracilis Cao & Zhang sp. nov.

( Figs 6 , 15f )

Description: Ground color yellow-whitish, with black patches. Middle line of scutellum brown, which broad at upper part and tapering towards lower part ( Fig. 15f ).

Abdominal apodemes nearly reaching posterior margin of 3 rd sternite ( Fig. 6i ).

Pygofer side with caudal margin and distal ventral margin membranous; dorsal appendage triangular, protrusion on ventral margin indistinct; without ventral appendage ( Figs 6a, b ). Subgenital plate rounded apically, lateral margin with a row of stout setae from subbase to apex, the basal seta obviously enlarged; with 3 macrosetae in subapical area ( Fig. 6d ). Style with apex foot-like ( Fig. 6e ). Aedeagal shaft short, with pair of slim processes extended from ventro-basal area; preatrium longer than shaft; gonopore subapical on ventral surface ( Figs 6g, h ).

Measurement: Length of male 2.70mm, female 2.80–3.00mm.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, China: Yunnan Prov., Longxin, Mt. Hei , 24°31'26''N, 98°51'45''E, 1971m, 27 iv 2012, coll. Cao Yanghui ( NWAFU); paratypes: 1♂ 2♀♀, same data as holotype.

Diagnosis: The new species is similar to M. elegantula Dworakowska, 1994 , but can be distinguished by the narrower base of the pygofer dorsal appendage, shorter aedeagal shaft and slimmer aedeagal processes.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word “ gracilis ”, referring to the slim processes of aedeagal shaft.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Mitjaevia gracilis Cao & Zhang sp. nov. a. genital capsule; b. pygofer dorsal appendage; c. subgenital plate, style, connective and the 9th sternite, dorsal view; d. subgenital plate, dorsal view; e. style; f. connective; g. aedeagus, ventral view; h. aedeagus, lateral view; i. abdominal apodemes

FIGURE 15. Dorsal habitus. a. M. asymmetrica sp. nov.; b. M. aurantiaca; c. M. bijiensis; d. M. circularis sp. nov.; e. M. diana; f. M. gracilis sp. nov.; g. M. korolevskayae; h. M. lamelliformis sp. nov.; i. M. mianningensis sp. nov.; j. M. protuberanta; k. M. salaxia; l. M. subtilis sp. nov.; m. M. turgida sp. nov.; n. M. wangwushana; o. M. xinjiangensis sp. nov.