Yoyetta delicata, Popple & Emery, 2022

Popple, Lindsay W. & Emery, David L., 2022, Five new species of Yoyetta Moulds (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae) from south-eastern Australia, Zootaxa 5141 (5), pp. 401-441 : 421-427

Yoyetta delicata n. sp.

( Plate 3 ; Figs 1 , 2D , 3D , 4D , 12–14 )

Types. Holotype ♂, AUSTRALIA NSW, 4 km SSE of Stannum , 29.353249°S 151.803142°E, 4–7.i.2016, [permit no.] SL100704, L. W. Popple, 488-0005, K594160 ( AM).

Paratypes. NEW SOUTH WALES. 1♀, same data as holotype, 488-0014, K594161 ( AM) . 1♂, Armidale N.S.W., 19.xi.1966, C. W. Frazier, University of New England coll. Donated 1983 ; 1♀, same data as previous, N[ew] E[ngland] University , 6.xii.1966 ; 1♀, Dangar’s Falls , Armidale N.S.W., 16.xii.1962, C. W. Frazier, University of New England coll. Donated 1983 ; 7♂, 3♀, 5km W. of Torrington N.S.W., 10.i.1993, A. I. Knight; 2♂, 1♀, same data as previous, 18–22.xii.1990 ; 1♀ Upper Talbragar via Cassilis N.S.W., 26.xi.1963, T. G. Campbell ( ANIC) . 2♂, 1♀, same data as holotype, 488-0004, 488-0010, 488-0013 (DE) . 1♂, Wetlands Place, Shortland , 32.876557°S 151.695962°E, 11.xii.2021, J. Poyitt ( JP) . 6♂, 4♀, same data as holotype, 488-0002, 488-0003, 488- 0006 to 488-0009, 488-0011, 488-0012, 488-0015, 488-0016 ; 1♂, Armidale , 12.xii.1958, K. L. Taylor, 487-0001 ( LWP) . 1♂, Mt Coryah, approx. 45 km NE. Narrabri , 25.xi.1981, 2500’, 25.xi.1981, G. & T. Williams, at light, in scler[ophyll] forest ; 1♂, Kanwal, near Wyong , 1.i.1972, G. Daniels ( MSM) . QUEENSLAND. 1♂, Daggs Falls via Killarney , 1.xi.2003, L. Popple, R. MacSloy, 488-0001 ( LWP) .

Audio records (LWP). NEW SOUTH WALES: 4 km SSE. of Stannum , 29.353249°S 151.803142°E, 4– 8.i.2016 ; Bismuth Dam , 29°15’13’’S 151°38’20’’E, 6.i.2016 . QUEENSLAND: 6 km west of Thane , 28°09’41’’S 151°37’59’’E, 11–12.xii.2001 ; Queen Mary Falls , 28°20’30’’S 152°22’17’’E, 1.xi.2003 .

Aural records (LWP). QUEENSLAND: Durikai State Forest (Thane), 28°10’41’’S 151°38’24’’E, 8.xi.2015 . NEW SOUTH WALES: Torrington State Forest , 29°16’06’’S 151°39’55’’E, 6.i.2016 .

Distribution, habitat and seasonality ( Fig. 1 ). This species is restricted to southern coastal and northern montane areas in the northern half of New South Wales, extending north into adjacent areas of south-east Queensland. In New South Wales, it occurs from near Wyong west to Cassilis and north through the mountains east of Narrabri and the Armidale region to the Torrington area. In Queensland, it is known only from between Amiens and Thanes Creek, and near Killarney. Adults have been found between November and January.

Etymology. A Latin adjective (feminine), meaning ‘delicate’. This refers to the gracile appearance of this species relative to many of its congeners.

Description of adult male ( Plates 3A, 3B, 3G, 3I ; Figs 2D , 3D , 4D , 12 ).

Head slightly narrower than lateral margins of pronotum; mostly black with a yellow-orange triangular marking between lateral ocelli, based on posterior margin; two faint, brown markings between lateral ocelli and adjacent compound eyes, not reaching posterior margin; supra-antennal plates black, occasionally edged brown; ocelli pinkish-brown; postclypeus mainly black, inner dorsal side with a dull yellow-brown line extending from anterior margin almost to median ocellus; ventral side with pinkish-brown lateral margins; anteclypeus shiny black; rostrum reaching anterior edges of hind coxae, medium brown basally becoming dark brown apically; antennae dark brown to black.

Thorax mostly black. Pronotum with a narrow yellow-brown fascia along midline surrounded extensively by black; interior of pronotum dark brown, with irregular black areas, especially along paramedian and lateral fissures; pronotal collar black anteriorly, grading to brown towards posterior margin. Mesonotum brown, reddish-brown or black with black submedian and lateral sigilla; cruciform elevation pale brown to pale orange-brown apart from a broad black midline and black anterior arms; wing grooves mainly pale brown to brown. Metanotum orange and black. Thorax below mainly brown with leg cavities bordered dull orange-brown.

Legs mainly dark brown to orange-brown with black longitudinal markings. Fore coxae orange-brown on outer sides, dark brown on inner sides, with orange joints; mid hind coxae dark brown with orange joints; fore femora with inner side dark brown, outer side orange-brown, each with a dark brown longitudinal marking on ventral margin; femoral spines dark brown; mid and hind femora dark brown on anterior side, pale brown on posterior side; fore and mid tibiae dark brown to orange-brown; hind tibiae mainly brown to pale brown; tarsi brown; claws dark brown; meracantha black on basal half, pale brown and narrow apically, partially overlapping opercula.

Wings with fore wing costal margin orange-brown, tending pale orange-brown at node; CuP+1A pale brown basally, otherwise all venation dark brown to dark reddish-brown; basal membrane mostly orange, tending dull orange-grey distally. Hindwing venation brown to orange-brown; plagas and margin of jugum light brown to pale orange-brown.

Opercula ( Fig. 2D ) black basally, plates brown to pale brown and broadly rounded; relatively small, each <1.9 mm wide.

Timbals ( Fig. 3D ) with five long ribs all attached to basal spur and separated ventrally; long ribs 1–3 spanning the timbal membrane; long rib 4 may span the timbal membrane or appear discontinuous, with dorsal and ventral areas connected by only a very narrow medial area; long rib 5 shorter, occupying dorsal two thirds of timbal only; timbal plate with well developed, elongate dome bearing a distinct point of apodeme attachment near centre.

Abdomen mostly orange. Tergite 1 black; tergite 2 orange with black anterior margin and black medially extending to posterior margin, curved to follow outer margin of exposed timbals; tergites 3–7 predominantly orange, each with a black mark on dorsal midline, this narrowly and sometimes diffusely extending along posterior margins of lateral sides where it broadens into a diffuse black triangular marking, apex anterior facing; tergite 8 black. Sternite I mainly dull orange; sternite II mainly dark brown with dull orange areas ventrolaterally; sternites III–VI orange; sternite VII orange with a small, diffuse black spot at centre of posterior margin; sternite VIII dark brown becoming brown apically.

Genitalia ( Figs 4D , 12 ) with pygofer dark brown; upper lobe of moderate size, broad and broadly rounded at apex; basal pygofer lobe comparatively small, broadly rounded; median lobe of uncus well developed but not excessively long, slightly concave dorsally, in lateral view straight, narrow, parallel-sided; claspers robust, claw-like, in ventral view clearly separated, with apices gradually tapering laterally. Aedeagus with pseudoparameres not extending as far as theca; theca strongly recurved distally through 180 degrees towards apex, with transparent flanges along margin of recurvature, strongly serrated ventrolaterally and dorsolaterally towards apex; apex transparent, weakly upturned, sclerotised, spine-like, sometimes with sparse ornamentation.

Description of adult female ( Plates 3D, 3E, 3H ). Similar to male but differing as follows.

Abdomen appears black with orange lateral bands. Tergite 1 mainly black, sometimes with dark orange areas sublaterally; tergite 2 black suffused with orange laterally; tergite 3–7 predominantly orange, each with a broad black mark on dorsal midline, this mark extending along posterior margins of lateral sides where it broadens into a diffuse black triangular marking, apex anterior facing; tergite 8 mainly black with orange along posterior lateral margins. Sternite II mainly orange, dark brown medially; sternite III–VII orange. Abdominal segment 9 pale orange-brown, with a bold, black longitudinal marking on each side along the anterior lateral margin, extending posteriorly on dorsolateral sides. Ovipositor sheath dark reddish-brown to black, extending less than 0.5 mm beyond apex of abdominal segment 9.

Measurements (in mm; range with mean in parentheses for 10 typical males, 1 small male and 5 females, including smallest and largest specimens). Length of body including head: typical male 16.9–19.5 (18.27); small male 15.4; female 17.6–20.6 (19.80). Length of fore wing: typical male 20.2–23.7 (21.99); small male 18.5; female 23.1–25.7 (24.96). Width of fore wing: typical male 6.7–8.0 (7.46); small male 6.7; female 8.2–8.4 (8.26). Width of head (including eyes): typical male 4.8–5.6 (5.15); small male 4.1; female 5.2–6.0 (5.70). Width of pronotum (across lateral angles): typical male 4.8–5.9 (5.21); small male 4.3; female 5.0–6.5 (5.84). Width of abdomen: typical male 4.7–5.5 (5.08); small male 4.3; female 4.9–6.4 (5.78). Length of ovipositor: female 5.9–6.6 (6.22). The small male was treated separately as it was considered aberrant.

Morphological distinguishing features. Males of Y. delicata n. sp. can be distinguished from other species in the Y. tristrigata species group by the following combination of characters: (1) opercula relatively small, each <1.9 mm wide, (2) theca recurved distally through 180 degrees; and (3) apex of theca weakly upturned. Females can be distinguished from most other species in the Y. tristrigata species group by having the following combination of characters: (1) thorax mainly black, (2) fore wing length 23–26 mm, and (3) head width> 5.2 mm. They may be impossible to distinguish from specimens of Y. australicta n. sp. and Y. repetens , although none of these species have been found co-occurring.

Calling song ( Figs 13 , 14 ). Males of Yoyetta delicata n. sp. call almost entirely while stationary. They sometimes continue to call when moving a short distance between singing stations. The calling song is a loud buzz (long echeme) followed by a series of 2–19 (typically 10–14) syllables (all statistics, n =12 recordings). There is usually a pause of between 30 seconds and several minutes between phrases; however, it can be as little as 4 seconds. The duration of the long echeme is variable, between approximately 8 s and 90 s. The detailed structure of the long echeme (illustrated in Figs 13B , 14B ) shows a clearly defined train of prominent single pulses (with a pulse repetition rate of 59–125 Hz). These are reliably followed by a softer peak (or double peak), which may represent the sound produced by the relaxation of each timbal. The syllables that follow each long echeme vary from 0.03 to 0.09 s, are composed of 2–6 prominent pulses, and have a syllable repetition rate of 2–11 Hz. The durations of the syllables and the repetition rate often reduce successively towards the end of the phrase ( Figs 13C , 14C ). Female wing flick responses have been recorded 0.02– 0.03 s after a syllable (but not following all syllables and with no predictable pattern) in one cage recording (not illustrated).

As evidenced in some cage recordings, a soft “purring” echeme (or series of echemes) is sometimes produced at the end of a phrase after the syllables (not illustrated). These echemes have a pulse repetition rate of 20–55 Hz (lower than the long echeme) and appear to have a lower frequency than the rest of the calling song. These soft echemes are not evident in available field recordings and their behavioural role is not understood.

Based on a cage recording from the type locality, the calling song has a broad frequency plateau spanning approximately 10 to 13 kHz, with a dominant frequency of approximately 11.8 kHz ( Fig. 13 ). In contrast, a recording from further north displays a higher broad frequency plateau from approximately 11 to 14 kHz, with a dominant frequency of approximately 13.1 kHz ( Fig. 14 ). Differences in measured song frequencies may reflect difference in size of the insects, differences in recording situation (cage versus field) and/or differences in recording equipment. Despite the differences, the frequency spectra are broader than described here and mostly overlapping ( Figs 13 , 14 ).

Within the genus Yoyetta , the singing behaviour of Y. delicata n. sp. most closely resembles Y. serrata Emery, Emery & Popple , which is in the Y. abdominalis species group. The songs can easily be distinguished by the length of the gap between the long echeme and the first syllable, which is 20–50 ms in Y. delicata n. sp. and>300 ms in Y. serrata . Additionally, the phrases repeat much more regularly in Y. serrata , with little gap between them ( Emery et al., 2019) (cf. long and often irregular gaps between phrases in Y. delicata n. sp.).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Map of south-eastern mainland Australia showing the geographical distribution of Yoyetta australicta n. sp. (circles), Y. corindi n. sp. (stars) and Y. delicata n. sp. (squares).

FIGURE 2. Photos of male left opercula, with dorsal edge at left and posterior margin at bottom: (A), Yoyetta australicta n. sp., Mount Taylor, Australian Capital Territory (35°22’08’’S 149°03’52’’E); (B), Y. australicta n. sp., Glenalta, South Australia (35°01’S 138°38’E); (C), Y. corindi n. sp., Arrawarra, New South Wales (30°02’32’’S 153°11’22’’E); (D), Y. delicata n. sp., 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales, (29°21’12”S 151°48’11”E); (E), Y. ignita n. sp. Armidale, New South Wales (30°31’18”S 151°38’33”E); (F), Y. robusta n. sp., Blatherarm Camp, Torrington, New South Wales (29°15’08”S 151°42’26”E). Scale bars = 1 mm.

PLATE 3. Yoyetta delicata n. sp. (A), holotype male, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales, dorsal habitus (29°21’12”S 151°48’11”E); (B), holotype male, ventral habitus; (C), paratype male, Daggs Falls, Queensland (28°20’47’’S 152°20’45’’E), dorsal habitus; (D), paratype female, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales, dorsal habitus; (E), paratype female, as previous, ventral habitus; (F), habitat, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales; (G), male, lateral view, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales; (H), female, lateral view, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales; (I), male, on eucalypt branch, 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales. Scale bars = 10 mm.

FIGURE 3. Photos of male left timbals, with dorsal edge at left and posterior margin at bottom: (A), Yoyetta australicta n. sp., Mount Taylor, Australian Capital Territory (35°22’08’’S 149°03’52’’E); (B), Y. australicta n. sp., Glenalta, South Australia (35°01’S 138°38’E); (C), Y. corindi n. sp., Arrawarra, New South Wales (30°02’32’’S 153°11’22’’E); (D), Y. delicata n. sp., 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales, (29°21’12”S 151°48’11”E); (E), Y. ignita n. sp. Armidale, New South Wales (30°31’18”S 151°38’33”E); (F), Y. robusta n. sp., Blatherarm Camp, Torrington, New South Wales (29°15’08”S 151°42’26”E). Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Lateral views of the caudal abdomen of: (A), Yoyetta australicta n. sp., Mount Taylor, Australian Capital Territory (35°22’08’’S 149°03’52’’E); (B), Y. australicta n. sp., Glenalta, South Australia (35°01’S 138°38’E); (C), Y. corindi n. sp., Arrawarra, New South Wales (30°02’32’’S 153°11’22’’E); (D), Y. delicata n. sp., 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales, (29°21’12”S 151°48’11”E); (E), Y. ignita n. sp. Armidale, New South Wales (30°31’18”S 151°38’33”E); (F), Y. robusta n. sp., Blatherarm Camp, Torrington, New South Wales (29°15’08”S 151°42’26”E). Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 12. Yoyetta delicata n. sp.: illustration of male pygofer and internal genitalia; (a), viewed laterally from the left; (b), viewed ventrally; (c), aedeagus; (d), theca; (e), apex of theca. Characters depicted as in Figure 5. Specimen from 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales (29°21’11.7”S 151°48’11.3”E).

FIGURE 13. Male calling song structure of Yoyetta delicata n. sp. illustrated in waveform plots, including: (A), a 90 s sample illustrating a complete bout of a long buzz followed by a series of syllables; (B), a ~0.3 s sample expanded from the plot above showing the internal structure of the long buzz; (C), a 1.4 s sample expanded from the plot above showing the detailed structure of the end of the long buzz, plus short sequence of syllables; (D), a power spectrum illustrating song frequency. The specimen was recorded in a fabric cage by LWP using RS2 (see Methods and Terminology). Specimen from 4 km SSE. of Stannum, New South Wales (29°21’11.7”S 151°48’11.3”E).

FIGURE 14. Male calling song structure of Yoyetta delicata n. sp. illustrated in waveform plots, including: (A), a 12 s sample illustrating a complete bout of a long buzz followed by a series of syllables; (B), a 0.5 s sample expanded from the plot above showing the internal structure of the long buzz; (C), a 3.0 s sample expanded from (A) above showing the detailed structure at the end of the long buzz, including the short sequence of syllables; (D), a power spectrum illustrating song frequency. The specimen was recorded in the field by LWP at Queen Mary Falls (28°20’30’’S 152°22’17’’E) using RS1 (see Methods and Terminology).