The Nearctic Psylloidea (Insecta: Homoptera): an annotated check list

The 302 species of jumping plant lice (Insecta: Homoptera: Psylloidea) recorded from the Nearctic zoogeographical region are listed under their respective genera. Information is given on synonymy, host plants and distribution; and the taxonomic position of problematical species is discussed. A list of host-plants and their associated psyllids in also included.     

New World legume-feeding psyllids of the genus Aphalaroida Crawford (Insecta: Homoptera: Psylloidea)

Aphalaroida comprises a compact group of nine species feeding on mimosoid legume host plants in the southern USA and Central America. The species, acaciae Crawford, californica Tuthill, inermis Crawford, lysilomae sp. n., masonici (Caldwell), pithecolobia Crawford, prosopis Crawford, rauca sp. n. and spinifera Crawford, are keyed out and data are given on host plants and distributions. Characters previously used to separate species are unreliable, and there is strong evidence to suggest that some species are polymorphic with respect to fore wing pattern. This had led to much confusion, with type series often containing mixtures of species. Fore wing shape, the form of male and female terminalia, the shape of the genae and the presence/distribution of glandular hairs are the most reliable diagnostic characters.     

On systematic relations of Oomorphus concolor (Sturm) Col., Chrysomelidae), with descriptions of its larva and of an aberrant Cryptocephaline larva from Australia

The phylogenetic significance of morphological characters used to diagnose Bactericera, Rhinopsylla, Paratrioza, Allotrioza, Klimaszewskiella, Eubactericera, Phylloplecta and Sinitrioza is examined. There is no evidence that the genera or subgenera, in any of their present or past definitions, constitute natural units. The six former together, however, form a monophyletic group, defined by a combination of adult, larval and egg characters. Phylloplecta and Sinitrioza, which share similar adult characters with Bactericera, differ in the larval and egg morphology. The following new synonymies are established: Bactericera (=Rhinopsylla pro parte, = Paratrioza, = Allotrioza, = Klimaszewskiella, = Eubactericera pro parte) and Phylloplecta (= Sinitrioza). A list of the 121 species included in Bacerticera is provided and 75 new combinations are introduced (60 in Bactericera, 4 in Phylloplecta, 9 in Trioza and 1 in Kuwayama). Bactericera equisetifolii sp. n. and B. vellae sp. n. are described from Israel and Spain respectively, and B. loginovae, B. perrisii and B. rossica are redescribed. The following new species level synonymies are proposed: B. perrisii (= B. maritima) and B. gobica (= P. sinica, = P turcamanica). Variation of genal cone length in B. kratochvili is discussed and the presence of two biological races is noted in B. modesta. Keys are provided for the adults of the European species associated with Salix, and the last instar larvae of the West palaerctic species; the latter are also illustrated. Information on life cycles and host plants is summarised and briefly discussed. Differences in the hindwing venation, which were recently used to erect the families Rhinopsyllidae and Rhinocolidae are shown to be trivial. The two families are therefore synonymised with the Triozidae and Psyllidae respectively.     

Gall-inducing jumping plant-lice of the Neotropical genus Baccharopelma (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) associated with Baccharis (Asteraceae)

The genus Baccharopelma (new replacement name for Neopelma Burckhardt, 1987 Burckhardt, D. 1987. Jumping plant lice (Hoomoptera: Psylloidea) of the temperate neotropical region. Part 1: Psyllidae (subfamilies Aphalarinae, Rhinocolinae and Aphalaroidinae). Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 89: 299–392. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] nec Sclater, 1860 Sclater, P. L. 1860. Characters of ten new species of American bird. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 28: 461–467.  [Google Scholar]; and for its replacement name Burckhardtia Straube and Miretzki, 1999 Straube, F. C and Miretzki, M. 1999. A homonymy in Psyllidae (Homoptera): a new name for Neopelma Burckhardt. Revista brasileira de Zoologia, 16: 1233 [Google Scholar] nec Frech, 1907 Frech F 1907 Ueber Aviculiden von palaeozoischem Habitus aus der Trias von Zacatecas Comptes Rendus du Congrès Géologique International, Mexico, 10(1906), 327–335  [Google Scholar] nec Brown and Hodkinson, 1988 Brown, R. G and Hodkinson, I. D. 1988. Taxonomy and ecology of the jumping plant-lice of Panama (Homoptera: Psylloidea). Entomonograph, 9: 304?pp [Google Scholar]) is revised to include five named species and possibly two undescribed species. The junior homonym Burckhardtia Brown and Hodkinson nec Frech is replaced by Hodkinsonia nom. n. The introduction of the two generic replacement names necessitates two new combinations. Four species are described as new. Keys for the identification of adults and the last instar larva are provided along with species diagnoses and illustrations of taxonomically relevant structures. The galls and known biological features are briefly discussed for each species and the phylogenetic relationships among the species are analysed. Baccharopelma spp. are monophagous on Baccharis spp. (Asteraceae) on which they induce galls. The temperate South American genus has one species restricted to Chile, three to Brazil and one occurring in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.     

Some aphid waxes,their form and function (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Summary

The visible wax coatings of nine species of Aphididae, distributed through six tribes in four subfamilies, are examined by means of the Scanning Electron Microscope. The micromorphology of the extrusions is described and illustrated, as are the cuticular specializations via which the coatings are constructed. The relationships between the form and possible functions of the wax are discussed in the light of the results, as is the degree of correlation between its morphology and current opinion concerning the classification of the family.     

The psyllid genus Pseudophacopteron (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) from China

The Chinese fauna represents a small portion of the species diversity of the psyllid genus Pseudophacopteron (Phacopteronidae) of the world. Here, Pseudophacopteron from China is revised, and four species are recognized. Pseudophacopteron quinquipannis sp. nov. is described; Pseudophacopteron alstonium is synonymized with Pseudophacopteron tuberculatum; Pseudophacopteron album, Pseudophacopteron aphanamixis and P. tuberculatum are redescribed. Comparison is made between the four species and Phacopteron. The latter possesses unsplit fields of radular spinules in cells m₁, m₂ and cu₁ of the fore wing, and thick tibiae covered by dense long and slender setae, which are different from Pseudophacopteron.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:08B185EB-462F-46CF-B4CB-B733D1E1A864     

The Neotropical Psylloidea (Homoptera: Insecta): an annotated check list

Summary

The 242 species of jumping plant lice (Homoptera: Psylloidea) recorded from the Neotropical region are listed under their respective genera. Information is given on synonymy, host plant range and distribution. The taxonomic position of the problematical groups is discussed. The check list is supplemented by a taxonomic list of host plants and their associated psyllids.     

Aedeagal musculature in phytophaga (Coleoptera)

Summary

Three species of Cerambycidae and three of Chrysomelidae have been studied from the standpoint of the aedeagal musculature. A brief reference to this part of the anatomy in Bruchidae has also been made. On the basis of the present observations and earlier publications in this area a basic plan for the aedeagal musculature in Phytophaga could be inferred. Some major and minor modifications of the basic plan have been pointed out. It has also been inferred that ‘retournement’ of the aedeagus is a rule along Phytophaga.     

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the Old World jumping plant-louse genus Paurocephala (Insecta,Hemiptera, Psylloidea)

Fifty-one species are recognized in the genus Paurocephala, with an additional 14 species which remain unnamed. Thirty-five species are described as new, and five species are synonymized: P. pumilae and P. zhejiangensis with P. chonchaiensis, P. debregeasiae with P. sauteri, and P. guangxiensis and P. tremae with P. trematos. Two varieties, P. psylloptera maculipennis and P. psylloptera setifera, are raised to species level. P. bifasciata is reinstated from former synonymy with P. chonchaiensis, and Anomoterga kleinhofiae is transferred back to Paurocephala. Lectotypes are designated for P. brevicephala, P. chonchaiensis, P. psylloptera, P. sauteri, P. setifera and P. wilderi. The four New World species of Paurocephala are not considered to be congeneric with the Old World species and will be transferred to Diclidophlebia. Two South African species, P. bicarinata and P. hottentotti, are removed from Paurocephala and have to be accommodated in a new genus in the Diaphorininae. Thus Paurocephala is an Old World genus with nine Afrotropical and 42 Indo-Australian described species. Keys for the identification of adults and fifth instar larvae are provided. All 51 named species are diagnosed and illustrated, and information is given on distribution and host plants. Based on two cladistic analyses, one using adult characters only, and one using both adult and larval characters, four monophyletic species groups are recognized. In both analyses a basal group of 10 species, the brevicephala -group, forms the sister group to all other Paurocephala spp. The Afrotropical species are monophyletic and, together with one Oriental species constitute the gossypii group. In the analysis with adult characters only, the gossypii -group is the sister taxon of the kleinhofiae -group and, both together, are the sister group of the psylloptera -group, the largest species group with 27 species. In the analysis of adult and larval characters, the relationships between the last three species groups are not resolved. The result of the phylogenetic analysis confirms the synonymy of the subgenus Thoracocorna with Paurocephala. Known host plants of Paurocephala spp. belong to the Malviflorae with the exception of the Afrotropical P. insolita which develops on Theiflorae (Theales, Clusiaceae). The brevicephala -, kleinhofiae - and gossypii -groups are associated with hosts of the order Malvales (Malvaceae and Sterculiaceae), whereas the psylloptera -group is with Urticales (Urticaceae, Moraceae and Ulmaceae).     

A new species of Stomaphis Walker (Homoptera: Aphididae) from Czechoslovakia

Stomaphis bratislavensis sp. nov. is described from Quercus petraea near Bratislava. The apterous viviparous female, the apterous oviparous female and the apterous male are described. A key to European representatives of the genus Stomaphis is provided.     

Nesting biology and behavioural ecology of the solitary bee Monoeca haemorrhoidalis (Smith) and its cleptoparasite Protosiris gigas Melo (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Tapinotaspidini; Osirini)

The species Monoeca haemorrhoidalis, the largest species in the genus, occurs in the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern and southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the nesting ecology of M. haemorrhoidalis and its interactions with natural enemies. Nest aggregations were studied in an area at the transition between Dense and Mixed Temperate Rainforest, south Brazil. The period of nest construction and cell provisioning started in October and stopped in February. Plant species of the families Orchidaceae, Styracaceae and, mainly, Malpighiaceae, were the most important pollen and floral oil resources that were used in brood cell provisioning. During the nest construction activities, 27 insect species were observed at the nesting sites. The cleptoparasitic bee Protosiris gigas was one of the main causes of M. haemorrhoidalis mortality. Some behavioural and biological data of P. gigas are also reported.     

Polymorphism,taxonomy and host plant associations in Alebra leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae)

The taxonomy of a complex of morphologically similar Alebra species is clarified, and the number of adult colour pattern morphs of each in Britain, and their host plant associations, established. Morphological characters are figured for the identification of the four species now recognized, including two that are associated with different species of deciduous oaks and which were previously regarded as colour pattern morphs of A. albostriella. Three nymphal colour pattern morphs are described within the A. albostriella sibling species, two of which are shared, thus supplying further evidence for their close relationship. A key is given for the identification of the species and adult morphs of Alebra in Britain.     

Chinese psyllids in the genus Cacopsylla (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea) associated with Spiraea (Rosaceae)

The Chinese Cacopsylla species associated with Spiraea are revised. Three new species (Cacopsylla falcata sp. nov., C. nocturna sp. nov. and C. qilianensis sp. nov.) are described, and two [C. hyalinonemae Li and Yang, 1989 and C. spiraeicola (Li, 2011) comb. nov.] are redescribed. A new combination is also proposed for Cacopsylla tetrotaenialis (Li and Yang, 1989) comb. nov. Among the five species, C. falcata and C. qilianensis are affirmed to develop on Spiraea, as fifth instar immatures were found. The host plants of the other species remain uncertain. Based on morphological grounds, it is suggested that C. falcata and C. nocturna are closely related, but that the five species associated with Spiraea do not constitute a monophyletic group.     

The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) associated with Schinus (Anacardiaceae): systematics,biogeography and host plant relationships

The gall-forming psylloid fauna associated with the temperate Neotropical plant genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) is revised, and keys are provided for adults, larvae and galls. Fourteen species are recognized in the genus Calophya (Calophyidae), 10 of which are described as new; C. gallifex and C. schini are reinstated from former synonymy with C. rubra. An additional closely related new species, C. clavuligera sp. n., is described from Lithrea spp. In the genus Tainarys (Psyllidae, Rhinocolinae), six species are recognized and, for five of these, Schinus species are confirmed hosts. Two of them are described as new and one is recombined from Leurolophus. A new Leurolophus species is described from Lithrea molleoides. Based on a cladistic analysis Pelmatobrachia, Microceropsylla and Neocalophya are synonymized with Calophya, producing five new and one revised species combinations as well as one nomen nov. A list of the 59 currently recognized species is provided with information on synonymy, distribution and host plants. The cladistic analyses suggest that the Schinus inhabiting calophyids form two monophyletic groups, the C. rubra and C. hermicitae groups, respectively. A discriminant analysis of 15 variables for both males and females provides morphometric characters for separating the morphologically very homogenous adults of the C. rubra group. The phylogenetic relationships of the Rhinocolinae are re-evaluated, and the genera Tainarys and Leurolophus are redefined. Notophyllura is transferred from the Euphyllurinae to the Rhinocolinae. Tainarys forms the sister group of Leurolophus + Notophyllura. Based on mapped distributions four areas of endemism (distribution) are defined: A (Eastern temperate South America), B (Central and Southern Chile, including adjacent parts of Argentina), C (Central Argentina) and D (Peru, Far Northern Chile, and Eastern Bolivia). Cladistic biogeographical analyses with TAS, COMPONENT and an algorithm by Enghoff yielded the general area cladogram (A +(C +(B +D))); the one calculated with BPA differed in the position of D: (D +(A +(B +C))). The reconstruction of vicariant events using a protocol by Hovenkamp, corroborates the former general area cladogram, which is compared to competing hypotheses. The history of dispersal and vicariance events is reconstructed with the programme DIVA. Evidence for cospeciation of Schinus with its associated psylloids is evaluated with COMPONENT and TREE MAP. The likelihood for cospeciation is high in the Calophya hermicitae group, but low in the Calophya rubra group and in Tainarys. The gall shape depends partly from the psylloid, partly from the Schinus phylogeny.     

Systematics and ecology of the caecilian Crotaphatrema lamottei (Nussbaum) (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Scolecomorphidae)

New observations on Crotaphatrema lamottei are reported based on fieldwork on Mount Oku between 2006 and 2008. This species was encountered by pitfall trapping and digging, but encounter rates were low. Six new specimens of C. lamottei add substantially to the previous hypodigm for the species and genus, and new morphometric and meristic data are presented. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data supports strongly the monophyly of Crotaphatrema. The genetic and morphological distance between C. lamottei and Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis is small, although there is a clear difference in colour pattern. The Data Deficient IUCN conservation status of all three species of Crotaphatrema is likely to change most readily as a result of better data on distribution.     

A new genus and species of Cixiidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) from Lower Cretaceous amber

Mundopoides aptianus gen. et sp. nov. (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae) is described on the basis of a fossil of an adult female preserved in Lebanese amber of Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) age, and is compared with modern genera.     

Cave-dwelling Fulgoroidea (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha) from the Canary Islands

Examination of Fulgoroid specimens collected in several caves of volcanic origin on the Canary Islands (Tenerife, El Hierro) has revealed the existence of at least two undescribed troglobitic Fulgoroid species. These are apparently the first records of troglobitic Auchenorrhyncha, not only from the Middle Atlantic Islands, but from the Palaeartic Region. These cavernicolous taxa belong to the families Cixiidae (Tachycixius lavatubus sp. nov.) and Meenoplidae (Meenoplus cancavus sp. nov.). Possible pathways towards the evolution of troglobitic forms in Auchenorrhyncha and ways of speciation—sympatric or allopatric—for T. lavatubus sp. nov. and its epigean relative Tachycixius canariensis (Lindberg) are discussed. These findings suggest that cavernicolous Homoptera are more widely distributed over the world than was previously assumed.     

The deltocephaline leafhopper genus Hishimonoides in the Indian subcontinent (Homoptera)

The genus Hishimonides and the species Hishimonoides orientalis Mahmood are redefined. Three new species of the genus, namely H. arbudae (from Rajasthan: Mount Abu), H. bougainvilleae (from Karnataka: Bangalore; Tamil Nadu: Burliar) and H. setosus (from Karnataka: Bandipur; Rajasthan: Mount Abu) are described and illustrated. A key to the seven species known in the genus is given. H. bougainvilleae was found on Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. (Nyctaginaceae).