Xyphon spadice Catanach & Dietrich, new species

Xyphon spadice Catanach & Dietrich, new species

(Figs 3 G, 4I, 5)

Diagnosis. This is a large leafhopper with brown markings on the crown similar to those of X. gillettei, but with wider markings on the head and at most 2 extra preapical forewing crossveins, the macrosetal formula of the hind femur 2+1, and the dorsal process of the aedeagus not compressed (much wider than tall).

Head. Clypellus-frontoclypeus junction in lateral view is evenly convex; frontoclypeus entirely yellow (possibly with brown muscle scars). Crown in anterior margin rounded; white band complete or absent; median spot present and well defined; medioapical macula dark brown and well defined; almost always surrounded by cream. Additional dark markings present; irregular brown spots or a brown background with light patches are present; orange pigment absent; postocellar maculae, absent or well developed. In lateral view crown concave. Distance from ocelli to lateral edge of head more than 2 times ocelli width and distance between ocelli at least 7.5 times ocelli width.

Thorax. Pronotum with dark green to brown circular markings and circular; midline white. Mesonotum, straw visible part with submedial spots and anterolateral triangles or very lightly marked; proepisternum with posterior edge irregular.

Forewings. Lacking green pigment; wing mostly straw, anal veins pale blue. Apex with 2 crossveins.

Legs. Hind femur with macrosetal formula 2+1. Plantar surface of hind tarsomere, paleate setae numbering 4– 5.

Abdomen. Sterna of male mostly yellow.

Male genitalia. Pygofer with scattered erect basolateral setae. Subgenital plate with irregular oblique row of small stout setae. Other setae of pygofer and subgenital plates small and scattered. Aedeagal shaft in lateral view with acute, not compressed dorsal process wider than tall; shaft in ventral view, narrow with distinct basolateral expansions; shaft in dorsal view not compressed. Paraphyses in dorsal view, forming an oval. Style with single seta.

Material examined. We coded 2 males. An additional male was available, but it appeared to be parasitized and lacked normal genitalia. A total of 30 specimens were available for this species.

Host plants. No data available.

Distribution. Known from Mexico. Holotype verbatim label: Mexico: Zac: rt23 31km / S Fresnillo, 2300m / N22.90645 W102.93929 / 23-x-2005, C.H.Dietrich / MX 05-3303 sweeping” [INHS]. 29 paratypes, 3 at INHS, 25 at SEC, and 1 at CNC: Deposited at INHS: 2 with identical label as above; 1 with MEXICO: Jalisco, rt.80 / km#149 NE Lagos de Moreno / 1875m, 21°22'N 101°53'E / 18 Oct 2001,G. Moya-Raygoza / sweeping, MX 01-17 GMR. 1 at the CNC: San Juan Del Rio / 10 Mi. E. Quere Taro / Mex. 30- VII-1954 / J. G. Chillcott. Deposited at SEC: 14 with MEXICO: San Luis Potosi / 9 mi NM San Luis Potosi / 25 Oct 1981 / HDBlocker. 3 with MEXICO: Guanajuato / 3 mi S San Luis de la Paz / 24 Oct 1981 / HDBlocker. 8 with MEXICO: Queretaro / 6 mi N Queretaro / 24 Oct. 1981 / HDBlocker.

Types. Holotype and 2 paratypes are deposited at the INHS, 25 paratypes are deposited at the SEC, and the remaining paratype is deposited at the CNC. The holotype is a cleared male in good condition with genitalia in a vial under the specimen. Additionally one parasitized male is in the collection but was not coded due to deformations of the genitalia.

Etymology. Latin for the color chestnut which is found on the forewings of members of this species.