Aethodelphax aetocephalus (Beamer, 1948) Beamer, 1948

Bartlett, Charles R., 2011, Aethodelphax prairianus gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and seven congeneric species from North American Delphacodes, Zootaxa 2837, pp. 48-66 : 53-55

Aethodelphax aetocephalus (Beamer, 1948) , comb. nov.

( Fig. 2 )

Delphacodes aetocephala Beamer, 1948a: 97 –98, 105.

Type locality. USA: Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish, Covington.

Diagnosis. Color. Body stramineus, darker on thoracic pleura, abdomen pale medially, darker laterally with variably developed longitudinal stria; male pygofer pale, diffusely darkened laterally; parameres, diaphragm, and processes of segment 10 darker.

Structure. Length male brachypter (n=6) 1.96±0.11, width (n=5) 0.70±0.03; female brachypter (n=5) length 2.30±0.10, width 0.76±0.04. Head just narrower than prothorax, ratio vertex L:W (n=10) 1.24±0.10. Calcar bearing 16–23 black teeth. Genitalia with pygofer opening taller than wide in caudal view ( Fig. 2 D), lateral margins defined by rounded carinae; diaphragm well developed, median ectal surface slightly projecting caudad; dorsal margin concave, armature of the diaphragm weak along dorsal margin; however, subdorsally consisting of a series of ~6 short, darkened horizontal ridges subtending the aedeagus, and a pair of distinct darkened pegs embracing the aedeagus. Parameres ( Fig. 2 E) pediform with outer angle short and acute, inner angle longer and more acuminate, basal angle well developed, blunt, caudally projecting. Aedeagus ( Fig. 2 F) broad, strongly laterally flattened, strongly arched ventrally, distinctly narrowing apically, bearing a row of ~6 dorsal teeth beginning near midlength and a row of subventral teeth on both sides; gonopore subapical, dorsal. Aedeagal suspensorium conspicuous, encircling aedeagus, broad between aedeagus and segment 10. Segment 10 bearing pair of short, acuminate processes on ventrocaudal margin, about 2x as long as wide at base.

Remarks. All observed specimens were brachypterous. The broad, strongly curved aedeagus and form of the armature of the diaphragm is unique to this species in this genus. The structure of the genitalia is most similar to paraparvulus , but this species has a narrower aedeagus, a dorsocaudally projecting diaphragm armature, and segment 10 bearing a second pair of processes.

Reported hosts. None.

Distribution. USA: FL, LA, MS, TX

Material observed. PARATYPES: USA: Louisiana: [St. Tammany Parish] Slidell, 3–3–[19]47, R. H. Beamer (6m, 3f; SEMC); Covington, 3–3–[19]47, R. H. Beamer (1m, 4f; SEMC); Mississippi: [Harrison Co.,] saucier, 3– 5–1947, R. H. Beamer (1m, SEMC); [Jackson Co.,], Ocean Springs, 3–3–1947, R. H. Beamer (2f, SEMC); same, 3–5–1947, L. D. Beamer [1m, SEMC]; Florida: [Jackson Co.,] Marianna, 3–7–1947, R. H. Beamer (1m, SEMC).

Other material observed: USA: Texas: Wheeler Co., Shamrock, GL 1182, 1 September 1968, Cooley & Tucker (1m, CNCI).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Aethodelphax aetocephalus (paratype Slidell, LA; scale = 0.5 mm (A – C), 0.2 mm (D, G )). A. dorsal view; B. frons; C. lateral view; D. pygofer, caudal view; E. left paramere, widest view; F. aedeagus; G. pygofer, lateral view.