A new species of the sharpshooter genus Balacha from an alpine field in southeastern Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

ABSTRACT The sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar, 1926 includes nine species and is distributed in southeastern and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. All species of Balacha use only members of the genus Eryngium (Apiaceae) as host plants, except for a recently described species that is associated with Actinocephalus polyanthus (Eriocaulaceae). Here we describe and illustrate an additional species, B. caledonia sp. nov., from an alpine field in Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, which is also associated with Eryngium. Among the known species of the genus, the new taxon is morphologically most similar to B. caparao Takiya & Mejdalani, 2004, but can be easily distinguished by the shaft of the aedeagus, which has a dorsal lobe on the basal half and no ventroapical lobe, and the female sternite VII with the borders of the posterior emargination sinuous. Our studies indicate that the type locality of the new species and its surrounding Atlantic Forest area in Nova Friburgo harbor an interesting and diverse but still poorly known sharpshooter fauna, including the recently discovered Paratubana auromarginata Côrte et al., 2021 (also from Eryngium) and Cavichiana caelivittata Mejdalani et al., 2023 (from bromeliads).

Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 by the Sharpshooter Cicadella viridis From Different Source Plants and Artificial Diets.

The sharpshooter Cicadella viridis L. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the most common sharpshooter in Europe and, given its xylem feeding behavior, is considered a potential vector of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae). We tested X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 (Xfp) transmission capabilities of C. viridis adults, namely 1) acquisition efficiency from four host plant species-periwinkle, milkwort, lavender, alfalfa-and from two artificial diets (PD3 and Xfm), 2) inoculation efficiency to periwinkle at different times post acquisition from different plant and artificial diet sources. The main European vector species-Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae)-was used as a control. C. viridis was able to acquire Xfp from periwinkle, milkwort, and lavender, although with low efficiency (3-16%) and from artificial diets (23-25%). Successful inoculation on periwinkle was extremely rare, being observed only three times, following feeding on milkwort plant and PD3 artificial diet sources. Our study shows that C. viridis is not a relevant vector of Xfp, given the very low transmission rate in controlled conditions, and the inability to feed on olive. The low efficiency reported here correlates with ecological constraints of the vector (mainly monocots host plants, humid environments) that make it difficult to forecast a relevant role in dispersing X. fastidiosa, at least within the present distribution of the exotic bacterium in Europe. However, a possible role of this species in spreading Xf in other agroecosystems, e.g., vineyard and stone fruits grown in humid areas, cannot be excluded.

Description and complete mitochondrial genome of Atkinsoniella zizhongi sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from China and its phylogenetic implications.

A new species, Atkinsoniella zizhongi sp. nov. of the subfamily Cicadellinae, was described and illustrated from China. The new species is similar to A. nigrominiatula (Jacobi, 1944), A. limba Kuoh, 1991, A. dormana Li, 1992, A. peaka Yang, Meng et Li, 2017, and A. divaricata Yang, Meng et Li, 2017. But the characteristics of aedeagus and pygofer process can be used to distinguish them easily. The complete mitochondrial genome of the paratype was sequenced and assembled. The mitogenome of A. zizhongi sp. nov. was 16,483 bp in length, with an A+T content of 75.9%, containing 37 typical genes and a control region (CR). The gene order was consistent with the inferred insect ancestral mitochondrial genome. All of the PCGs were determined to have the typical stop codon TAA or TAG, while COX2 and ND5 ended with incomplete termination codons T and TA, respectively. In addition, phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on PCGs and rRNAs using both the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The results showed that the intergeneric and interspecific relationships within the subfamily Cicadellinae were completely consistent in all of the phylogenetic trees, except that the different interspecific relationships within the genus Bothrogonia were detected in the ML analysis based on the amino acid sequences. This study enriches the species diversity of Cicadellinae and further promotes research on its phylogeny.

Comparative Analysis of Mitochondrial Genomes among Twelve Sibling Species of the Genus Atkinsoniella Distant, 1908 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) and Phylogenetic Analysis.

The herbivorous leafhopper genus Atkinsoniella Distant, 1908 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae), a large genus of subfamily Cicadellinae, consists of 98 valid species worldwide and 88 species recorded in China. Some species of the genus are very similar in morphological characteristics, so they are difficult to identify accurately. In this study, 12 mitochondrial genomes of Atkinsoniella species with similar morphological characteristics were first obtained through high-throughput sequencing, which featured a typical circular molecule of 15,034-15,988 bp in length. The arrangement and orientation of 37 genes were identical to those of typical Cicadellidae mitogenomes. The phylogenetic relationship within the subfamily Cicadellinae was reconstructed using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods based on three concatenated datasets. The topological structures of the six obtained phylogenetic trees were highly consistent. The results suggested that Atkinsoniella was recovered as a monophyletic group and emerged as a sister group with the monophyletic clade of Bothrogonia, Paracrocampsa (part), and Draeculacephala (part). The branches of the 12 newly sequenced species were clearly separated, with most nodes receiving strong support in all analyses. In addition, the key to the 12 Atkinsoniella species was provided to identify species according to morphological characteristics. This study further promotes research on the classification, genetics, evolution, and phylogeny of the genus Atkinsoniella and subfamily Cicadellinae.

The mitochondrial genome of Cofana yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cofana yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) is sequenced. Based on annotation, the mitochondrial genome is 15,019 bp, has an A + T content of 77.2% (A = 42.0%, T = 35.2%, G = 10.0%, C = 12.8%), which is the classical structure for insect mitogenome. All PCGs started with ATN, except ATP8 and ND5 starting with TTG. All PCGs used TAN as stop codon, except ND5 stopping with single T. The phylogenetic relationship of C. yasumatsui clustered together with Cicadella viridis, Homalodisca coagulata, Homalodisca vitripennis, and Bothrogonia ferruginea from Cicadellinae. This is identical with the result of the traditional taxonomy.

Phylogenetic analysis of the South American sharpshooter genus Scopogonalia Young, 1977 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), with implications for conservation.

Scopogonalia is a leafhopper genus with 17 described species, all of them from South America. In this work, a phylogenetic analysis of the genus was conducted based on 59 morphological and colour pattern characters of head, thorax, abdomen, male and female genitalia. Analyses with equal weights resulted in 12 equally most parsimonious trees (length = 137) including a monophyletic Scopogonalia in all of them. An implied weights (k = 15) analysis recovered two trees, one of them equal to the one obtained with a single round successive weighting procedure, which was chosen for discussion. The trees support the existence of three main clades, which are here called Early Green Clade, Late Green Clade, and Yellow-Brown Clade. The origin and diversification of each clade is discussed under available biogeographical knowledge of South America. Little variation was observed in the female genitalia, but their characters were useful to reinforce the monophyly of the Yellow-Brown Clade, which we associate to ecological adaptations. This clade supports a past connection of the Cerrado biome and savannah enclaves in Amazonia and Atlantic Forest. This conclusion highlights the necessity of conserving this open vegetation environment inside the most fragmented portion of the Atlantic Forest, in northeastern Brazil.

A new species of the sharpshooter genus Dasmeusa (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from Central Amazon

ABSTRACT A new species of the genus Dasmeusa Melichar, 1926 is described and illustrated from specimens collected in the State of Amazonas, Northern Brazil. Dasmeusa imperialis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the five known species of the genus, as well as from those of closely related genera, by the following combination of features: dorsum yellow with orange, preapical transverse irregular stripe on forewing; male pygofer moderately produced posteriorly, with posterior margin broadly rounded; style without preapical lobe, narrow and truncate apically; aedeagus with robust apical process directed ventrally, ventral margin of this process dentate; paraphyses with pair of dorsal dentiform projections on stalk, rami slender and directed posterodorsally; posterior margin of female sternite VII with small quadrate lobe; first ovipositor valvula with dentiform apex; second ovipositor valvula with apical third directed ventrally. This paper includes the first detailed description and illustrations of the female terminalia of a Dasmeusa species. In addition, the known geographic distribution of the genus is presented; D. pauperata (Fabricius, 1803) is newly recorded from the Brazilian states of Roraima, Amazonas, Pará, Sergipe, and Bahia; the records from the last two states are interesting because they are from areas of Atlantic Forest. Previously, the genus was known only from the Amazon Forest.

The sharpshooter genus Aguana: taxonomic notes, two new species from Brazil, the female of A. imbricata, and updated key (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini).

The genus Aguana Melichar, 1926 previously included only two species from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Here we provide a revised diagnosis for the genus and describe two new Brazilian species and the female of A. imbricata (Signoret, 1854). The new taxa are A. picinguaba sp. nov. (states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina) and A. spitzi sp. nov. (State of São Paulo). Aguana species are very similar to one another externally and can be distinguished mainly by features of the male terminalia (especially of the aedeagus) and female sternite VII. A key to males and females of the genus is added (except the female of A. russata Young, 1977).

Three new Brazilian species of the sharpshooter genus Amblyscarta Stål, 1869 and redescription of A. unifasciata (Fabricius, 1803) comb. nov. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini).

Three new Brazilian species of the sharpshooter genus Amblyscarta Stål, 1869 are described and illustrated: A. elianeae sp. nov. (states of Paraná and Minas Gerais), A. souzalopesi sp. nov. (State of Rio de Janeiro), and A. pinna sp. nov. (State of Mato Grosso). The first two species are from the Atlantic Forest, whereas the third is from the Amazon Forest. Cicada unifasciata Fabricius, 1803 is redescribed and transferred to Amblyscarta based on specimens from Guyana and northern Brazil (Amazon Forest). This Fabrician species is the type of the monobasic genus Strictogonia Melichar, 1926, which is thus considered a junior synonym of Amblyscarta. A diagnosis of Amblyscarta is added, as well as brief notes on the phenology of A. elianeae. This paper provides the first detailed descriptions and illustrations of the female terminalia of Amblyscarta species.

Two new species of Hanshumba from Southeastern Brazil and a key to males of the genus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

ABSTRACT The genus Hanshumba Young, 1977 is recorded from Southeastern and Southern Brazil (Atlantic Forest) and currently includes only three species. Here we describe and illustrate, based mainly on features of the male terminalia, two new species from State of Espírito Santo, Municipality of Santa Teresa: H. setifera sp. nov. and H. teresa sp. nov. The former can be distinguished by the male pygofer and anal tube with large processes bearing numerous setae and the aedeagus with pair of dentiform processes on median portion, whereas the latter has three pairs of longitudinal flanges on the aedeagal shaft. A key to males of the genus is added and its taxonomic status is briefly discussed.

A new species of the sharpshooter genus Onega Distant, 1908 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from Ecuador and Peru

ABSTRACT Onega comprises nine valid species distributed in South American countries, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru, commonly at high altitudes. The genus has as diagnostic characteristics the transition crown-frons with transversal carina; crown and superior portion of frons with concavities; pronotum wider than transocular width of head; and paraphysis, when present, as a median esclerite. The present paper describes Onega musa sp. nov., from Ecuador and Peru, which can be distinguished from other Onega species by: body mostly yellow, with brown maculae distributed on dorsum; posterior margin of male pygofer serrate, with long microsetae on the basiventral margin; aedeagus with shaft bisinuate with dorsal acute preapical process; female sternite VII with posterior margin slightly convex; and first valvula of ovipositor with 38 noncontiguous teeth. Intraspecific morphological variations are discussed.

Juliaca Melichar, 1926 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini): description of a new species from Southeastern Brazil and redescriptions of J. sertigerula (Jacobi, 1905) and J. xanthogramma (Signoret, 1854) comb. nov.

A new species of the sharpshooter genus Juliaca Melichar, 1926, J. nigra sp. nov., from Southeastern Brazil (State of Espírito Santo) is described based on specimens collected on a coffee plantation. In addition, J. sertigerula (Jacobi, 1905), an Andean species, and Tettigonia xanthogramma Signoret, 1854, from Southeastern Brazil (states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro), are redescribed. The former species was not adequately illustrated and the latter was not treated in the most recent monograph on the Cicadellini. The identity of T. xanthogramma is elucidated and it is transferred to Juliaca (J. xanthogramma comb. nov.).

Descriptions of seven new Acrogonia species from South America (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini).

Seven new species of the economically important sharpshooter genus Acrogonia Stål are described and illustrated: A. falcata sp. nov. (French Guiana and state of Amazonas, Brazil), A. felixi sp. nov. (department of Loreto, Peru), A. quintasi sp. nov. (state of Pará, Brazil), A. distincta sp. nov. (state of Amazonas, Brazil), A. dentata sp. nov. (department of San Martin in Peru, French Guiana, and states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia in Brazil), A. luizi sp. nov. (province of Pastaza in Ecuador and state of Amazonas in Brazil), and A. lobulata sp. nov. (province of Orellana, Ecuador). In addition to the external morphology, color pattern, and male genitalia, detailed descriptions and illustrations of the female genitalia are provided for three of the new species (A. dentata, A. luizi, and A. lobulata). Females of the other four new species are unknown. Acrogonia includes now 39 species, being among the most species-rich genera of the Proconiini.

Three new Brazilian species of the sharpshooter genus Geitogonalia Young (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini).

Three new Brazilian sharpshooter species of the genus Geitogonalia Young, 1977 are described: G. buccina sp. nov., G. piei sp. nov., and G. tetracorni sp. nov. The first species is known from the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, whereas the second and third species are from the state of Paraná. We provide descriptions of the male and female (except for G. piei), photographs and illustrations, as well as a revised diagnosis of the genus and a key to the five known species.

A new species of Cardioscarta (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil and key to species of the genus.

The South American genus Cardioscarta Melichar, 1932 includes seven species of colorful sharpshooters. Here we describe and illustrate an additional species, C. aurantia sp. nov., from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil (state of Rio de Janeiro). The new taxon can be distinguished by the dark brown to black forewing with two large orange areas, one from basal portion of corium to distal portions of discal cells and another covering most of clavus, or with single large orange area on basal two-thirds. A key to species of Cardioscarta is provided and the new species is compared with the other ones of the genus.

The Neotropical sharpshooter genus Ruppeliana Young (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): four new species, key to males, and new synonyms.

Four new Brazilian species of Ruppeliana are described and illustrated: R. barbarensis sp. nov., R. grossii sp. nov., R. longiphallus sp. nov., and R. serrana sp. nov., the first from Minas Gerais State and the other three from Rio de Janeiro State. The new taxa can be easily distinguished from other Ruppeliana species by their color pattern and male genitalia morphology. Ruppeliana coronulifera (Stål, 1862) and R. taschenbergi (Berg, 1899) are synonymized with R. signiceps (Stål, 1862). Additionally, a diagnosis of the genus and a key to species are provided.

The sharpshooter genus Apogonalia Evans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini): description of females and key to species.

The Cicadellinae genus Apogonalia Evans, 1947 currently has 22 species and occurs from Arizona (USA) to Panama and the Antilles. Color pattern and female genital structures of 21 species of Apogonalia are here described and illustrated (the female of A. nielsoni Felix & Mejdalani, 2006 is unknown). Comparative morphological notes are included. The female of A. angusta Freytag, 2004 is described for the first time. A key to males and females of all known species of the genus is provided.

A new sharpshooter genus for Sphinctogonia lingula Yang & Li (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellini) from China.

A new genus, Sphinctogoniella, is described to accommodate Sphinctogonia lingula Yang & Li, 2002, its type species from China. Sphinctogoniella lingula (Yang & Li, 2002), comb. n. is re-described and illustrated. Differences between the new genus and Sphinctogonia Breddin, 1901 are tabulated.

Phylogenetic analysis of the sharpshooter genus Subrasaca Young, 1977 (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellini).

The South American sharpshooter genus Subrasaca comprises 14 species. Some species of this genus are quite common in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. In this paper, a phylogenetic analysis of Subrasaca, based on a matrix of 20 terminal taxa and 72 morphological characters of the head, thorax, and male and female genitalia, is presented. The analysis yielded six equally most parsimonious trees (197 steps, CI = 0.6091, RI = 0.5722, and RC = 0.3486). The results suggest that Subrasaca is a monophyletic taxon, although the genus branch is not robust. The clade showing the highest bootstrap and Bremer scores is formed by species with longitudinal dark brown to black stripes on the forewings (Subrasacabimaculata, Subrasacaconstricta, Subrasacacurvovittata, and Subrasacaflavolineata), followed by Subrasacaatronasa + Subrasacaaustera.

Rediscovery and redescription of the sharpshooter Kogigonaliaincarnata (Germar, 1821), comb. n. (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellini) from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, with a key to the species of the genus.

The Brazilian sharpshooter Tettigoniaincarnata Germar, 1821 was treated as incertae sedis in the most comprehensive and recent monograph of the New World Cicadellini. We have been able to identify male and female specimens of Tettigoniaincarnata from northeastern and southeastern Brazil using high-resolution images of two syntypes deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde, Universität Humboldt, Berlin. Here we transfer Tettigoniaincarnata to the genus Kogigonalia Young, 1977 and provide a detailed redescription of this species, including information on intraspecific color variation. In addition, we provide an updated key to the species of Kogigonalia. This is the first record of the genus from Brazil. Kogigonaliaincarnata comb. n. can be recognized, among other features, by the subgenital plates with a distinct emargination at outer margin, aedeagus with a ventral unpaired process near midlength of shaft, and female sternite VII bearing an elongate strong projection on posterior margin.