Lauriana Ren & Qin, a new genus of the tribe Tropidocephalini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) from China

Abstract

A new delphacid genus and species, Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin, gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Tropidocephalini) is described from Sichuan, China. Habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia of the new species are given, and the differences between the new genus and its closely related genera are discussed.

Full text

84 Accepted by A. P. Liang: 21 Feb. 2014; published: 26 Mar. 2014
ZOOTAXA
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ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press
Zootaxa 3784 (1): 084–088
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Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3784.1.6
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DF571BDA-ED8B-45BD-ADC5-AEF1B4875BA8
Lauriana Ren & Qin, a new genus of the tribe Tropidocephalini
(Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) from China
FENG-JUAN REN, LI-FANG ZHENG, YI-XIN HUANG & DAO-ZHENG QIN1
Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Entomological Museum, Northwest
A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
1Corresponding author. E-mail: qindaozh@nwsuaf.edu.cn
Abstract
A new delphacid genus and species, Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin, gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Tropido-
cephalini) is described from Sichuan, China. Habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia of the new species are giv-
en, and the differences between the new genus and its closely related genera are discussed.
Key words: Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoroidea, planthoppers, taxonomy
Introduction
Tropidocephalini is the second largest tribe of the delphacid subfamily Delphacinae (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea:
Delphacidae), currently containing more than 180 species in 36 genera (Chen & Tsai 2009; Bartlett 2009; Qin &
Zhang 2010; Hu & Ding 2013). Species of the tribe are widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic, Afrotropical,
Oriental, Australian and Pacific Regions, but most species, feeding on bamboos, are recorded from the Oriental
Region (Chen & Tsai 2009).
The Chinese fauna of Tropidocephalini, comprising about 90 described species in 22 genera, represents the
richest species diversity of this tribe worldwide, with most taxa restricted to south China (Chen 2003, Ding 2006,
Qin & Zhang 2010). However, many species remain unknown and await descriptions. In the present paper, one new
genus based on a new species from Sichuan, China is described below.
Material and methods
All specimens examined in this study are macropterous and are deposited in the Entomological Museum,
Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China (NWAFU). The genital segments of the examined
specimens were macerated in 10% KOH and drawn from preparations in glycerin jelly with the aid of a light
microscope. Illustrations of the specimens were made using a Leica MZ 12.5 stereomicroscope. Habitus photos
were taken using a Scientific Digital micrography system equipped with an Auto-montage imaging system and a
highly sensitive QIMAGING Retiga 4000Rdigital camera (CCD), multiple photographs were compressed into
final images. The terminology in this paper follows that of Ding (2006). Measurements of the body length were
from the apex of the vertex to the posterior tip of the abdomen. All measurements are in millimeters (mm).
Taxonomy
Lauriana Ren & Qin gen. nov.
(Figs 1–18)
Type species. Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin sp. nov., here designated.

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NEW GENUS OF DELPHACI D TRIBE TROPIDOCEPHAL INI
Description. Slender, brown delphacids. Head including eyes distinctly narrower than pronotum (Figs 1, 3). Vertex
quadrate, slightly longer in midline than broad at base, anterior margin of vertex sinuate, slightly projecting in front
of eyes, submedian carinae originating near middle of lateral carinae, converging and uniting at apex of vertex, Y-
shaped carina with stem obscure (Figs 1, 3). Fastigium in lateral view rounded (Fig. 2). Median carina of frons
simple (Fig. 4). Antennae cylindrical, very long, almost reaching apex of anteclypeus, scape shorter than pedicle
(Figs 1–4). Rostrum reaching metacoxae. Pronotum nearly as long as vertex in middle line, lateral carinae not
reaching posterior margin (Figs 1, 3). Mesonotum medially longer than vertex and pronotum together (Figs 1, 3).
Forewing elongate, much longer than abdomen, apical margin rounded, crossveins in middle (Figs 1, 2, 18).
Spination of apex of hind leg 5 (3+2) (tibia), 6 (4+2) (basitarsus) and 4 (2nd tarsomere) (Fig. 5). Post-tibial spur
thick, concave on inner surface, without teeth on interior margin but with a small apical tooth (Fig. 5).
Male genitalia. Pygofer in lateral view much taller than wide, dorsocaudally rounded, in caudal view much
longer than wide, lateroventral margin asymmetrical, with single process on midventral margin (Figs 6, 7, 9–11).
Suspensorium absent (Figs 8, 9, 12). Aedeagus attached to ventral margin of anal segment; phallobase
asymmetrical, bearing a slender process arising near base; phallus tubular, n-shaped, apical part membranous with
spines and numerous teeth (Figs 6, 8, 9, 12–15). Parameres long, diverging proximally and converging distally
(Figs 8, 16). Diaphragm of pygofer open medially, basal transverse roundly produced medially, apicad of which to
caudoventral margin of pygofer deeply sunk for containing apex of aedeagus (Figs 6, 7, 9, 11). Anal segment of
male small, ring-like, without processes (Figs 6–8, 9, 12, 17).
Etymology. The generic name is an arbitrary combination of letters, and is regarded as feminine.
Remarks. This new genus is characterized by its long antennae (Figs 1–4), submedian carinae uniting at apex
of vertex (Figs 1, 3), tegmina with crossveins in middle (Fig. 18), and by the following characters of the male
genitalia: lateroventral margin of male pygofer asymmetrical (Figs 7, 11), with single process on midventral
margin (Figs 6, 7, 9–11); pygofer deeply sunk from the basal transverse of diaphragm to the caudoventral margin
(Figs 6, 7, 9, 11); apical part of the phallus membranous (Figs 6, 8, 9, 12–15) and male anal segment without
processes (Figs 6–9, 12, 17).
Lauriana is similar to Malaxa Melichar, 1914 and Malaxella Ding & Hu, 1986 in having quadrate vertex, long
antennae and male pygofer having ventral processes. However, the new genus differs from both genera in the anal
segment without process (with process at left laterodistal angle in Malaxella and Malaxa). The new genus differs
from Malaxella in frons with lateral carinae widest at apex (widest at eyes in Malaxella), the tegmina having
crossveins in middle (situated at apical 1/3–2/5 in Malaxella), lateral carinae of vertex convergent anteriad
(distinctly expanded anteriad in Malaxella) and the parameres symmetrical (asymmetrical in Malaxella). It differs
from Malaxa in the submedian carinae of vertex percurrent and uniting at apex (uniting before apex of vertex in
Malaxa) and the opening of pygofer asymmetrical (symmetrical in Malaxa).
Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin sp. nov.
(Figs 1–18)
Type material. Holotype Male (macropterous), China: Sichuan Province, Pingwu County, 7 July 2005, coll.
Lifang Zheng (NWAFU). Paratypes. 4 males, 1 female (macropterous), same data as holotype (NWAFU).
Description. Body length. Male (n = 5) 2.25–2.45 mm, female (n= 1) 2.43 mm; total length (from apex of
vertex to tip of forewing): male (n=5) 4.68–5.00 mm, female (n=1) 5.20 mm; forewing length: male (n=5) 4.19–
4.38 mm, female (n=1) 4.56 mm.
General colour of male brown. Vertex, frons and postclypeus apically to anteclypeus yellow, genae yellow
except basal part dark. Eyes brownish red. Ocelli red with tinge of black. Antennae with scape sordid yellow
ventrally and black dorsally, pedicle blackish brown. Postclypeus with most basal part and pronotum with anterior
lateral areas behind eyes dark. Rostrum yellow, apex black. Pronotum between lateral carinae sordid yellow
anteriorly, basad of which brown to blackish brown, pronotum and mesonotum with laterobasal angles brownish
yellow. Tegulae yellow to yellowish brown. Forewings semitransparent, posterior margin and area between veins
Cu1 and Cu2 blackish brown. Abdomen yellow except dorsum brown in middle. Legs yellow except anterior,
middle to hind tibiae adorned with longitudinal blackish stripes, apices of spines on tibiae and tarsi black (Fig. 5).
Male pygofer in most part, parameres and medioventral process dark. Female with nearly same color as male,
ovipositor black.

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86 · Zootaxa 3784 (1) © 2014 Magnolia Press
Head including eyes narrower than pronotum (about 0.68:1) (Figs 1, 3). Vertex at base broader than medially
long (about 1:0.88), slightly narrower at apex than at base (about 0.74:1), anterior margin sinuate and slightly
produced in middle, lateral carinae subparallel except where expanded behind eyes; posterior margin slightly
sinuate and incised medially; Y-shaped carina distinct except common stem feeble, areas of basal compartment
concave (Figs 1, 3); submedian carinae directed transversely to arms of Y-shaped carina, then angled anteriorly
(Figs 1, 3). Frons about 2.43 times higher than its maximum width, widest at apex, median carina conspicuous, not
forked at base, lateral carinae almost straight, keeled and expanded from base towards apex, apical frontal margin
arched (Fig. 4). Postclypeus tricarinate, median carinae apparently convex, at base broader than frons at apex, post-
and anteclypeus together approximately 0.87× length of frons (Fig. 4), in profile postclypeus convex, surpassing
level of frons and anteclypeus (Fig. 2). Antennae bearing a group of sensilla on distal posterior margin, scape
longer than wide (about 1:0.26), shorter than pedicle (about 1:1.71) (Figs 3, 4).
FIGURES 1–8. Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin, sp. nov. 1. male adult, dorsal view; 2. male adult, left lateral view; 3. head and
thorax, dorsal view; 4. frons and clypeus; 5. hind leg; 6. male genitalia, left lateral view; 7. male genitalia, posterior view; 8.
anal segment, aedeagal complex, connective and paramere, left lateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm (Figs 1, 2); 0.2 mm (Figs 3–8).

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NEW GENUS OF DELPHACI D TRIBE TROPIDOCEPHAL INI
FIGURES 9–18. Lauriana senticosa Ren & Qin, sp. nov. 9. male genitalia, left lateral view; 10. pygofer, ventral view; 11.
pygofer, posterior view; 12. anal segment, aedeagal complex, connective and paramere, left lateral view; 13. aedeagus, left
lateral view; 14. aedeagus, right lateral view; 15. distal limb of phallus, left lateral view; 16. parameres, posterior view; 17. anal
segment, posterior view; 18. forewing. Scale bars = 0.2 mm (Figs 9–14, 16, 17); 0.1 mm (Fig. 15); 0.5 mm (Fig. 18).
Thorax. Pronotum trapezoidal, in dorsal view nearly as long as vertex in midline, posterior margin concave
inwardly, lateral carinae developed, sinuate and diverging posterolaterally, apically converging but not reaching
posterior margin, pronotum width 0.74–0.78 mm, length 0.15–0.18 mm (Figs 1, 3). Mesonotum apparently vaulted,
medially about 1.80 times longer than vertex and pronotum together, lateral carinae slightly diverging

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88 · Zootaxa 3784 (1) © 2014 Magnolia Press
posterolaterally, not reaching posterior margin, median carina distinct but obscure apically (Figs 1, 3). Forewing
surpassing tip of abdomen approximately 2/3 of its total length (Figs 1, 2), about 3.30 times longer than wide at
maximum, widest at apical 1/4, covering black granules on longitudinal veins (Figs 1, 2, 18). Legs with hind tibiae
1.44–1.49 mm long, distinctly longer than post tarsi together, bearing 2 lateral teeth, post-tibial spur (0.28–0.31
mm) about half length of metabasitarsus, without teeth along lateral margin but with a rigid apical tooth (Fig. 5).
Male genitalia. Pygofer narrow in profile, posterior margin sinuate, much longer than anterior margin, ventral
margin apparently wider than dorsal margin; in caudal view pygofer widest in dorsal fourth, opening much longer
than wide, ventrocaudal margin with single long, spine-like process on midventral margin inclined to the left (Figs
6, 7, 9, 11). Diaphragm widely open centrally for connecting with opening for parameres, lateral margins
membranous and irregular, subbasally produced subtriangularly with numerous tiny strumae on surface, basal
transverse sclerotized (Fig. 11). Parameres fairly long, in caudal view contiguous and broad at base, then curving
and narrowing apically, apices convergent and slightly expanded, dorsally emarginated with inner apical angles
finger-like produced, in lateral view parameres with a subtriangular lobe-like process subbasally (Figs 6–8, 9, 12,
16). Aedeagus with phallobase developed, asymmetrical, bearing a short slender process arising near base on
dorsal side, phallus strongly curved twice, n-shaped, ventrobasally has a thick process which is bifurcated at apex,
distal limb of phallus membranous, bearing a series of teeth and strumae and three spines, one long spine on left
side and adorned with numerous jagged teeth, other two spines located at apex on ventral side, on dorsal side of
phallus tectiform apically, and from there gonopore opens (Figs 6–9, 12–15). Male anal segment without processes
but with a small tooth in middle (Figs 6–9, 12, 17).
Host plants. Unknown.
Etymology. The specific epithet is an adjective derived from the Latin word “senticosus”, referring to the
prickly apex of the aedeagus.
Distribution. Known currently from the type locality in southwest China (Sichuan Province).
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Prof. John Richard Schrock (Emporia State University, Emporia, KS, USA) for suggestions and
improvement of the manuscript. We wish to thank Prof. Ai-Ping Liang (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing, China) for his editorial help with the manuscript. This study was supported by the grants from
the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30970387 and 31172126).
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