Contributions to the knowledge of the Cicadellini sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) associated with citrus orchards in Argentina.

Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. is a xylem-borne bacterium that causes some of the most important plant diseases to woody plants such as citrus, olives, almonds and other cultures. This pathogen is mainly transmitted by sharpshooters, among which the tribe Cicadellini (Cicadellinae) includes the largest number of proven vectors. The correct identification of the vectors, along with biological and phenological information, are necessary to identify the key vectors involved in the spread of the bacterium and, consequently, establish control strategies and evaluate risks at a local or regional scale. However, lack of information on the Cicadellini from Argentina has delayed the implementation of control measures. Based on surveys conducted in the main citrus producing areas along with bibliographic data, this contribution provides the first list of Cicadellini species from Argentina that are potential vectors of X. fastidiosa; an identification key to these sharpshooters is provided. Twelve species were recorded from northeastern citrus groves, while from northwestern orchards, with previous information totally absent, 10 species were recorded. Eight species are shared by all producing regions, and five of them are proven vectors of X. fastidiosa (Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), Dilobopterus costalimai Young, Macugonalia cavifrons (Stål), M. leucomelas (Walker), Sonesimia grossa (Signoret)). This contribution provides 22 new insect-plant relationships, information on their natural enemies, the geographic distribution of all species is broadened and the female genitalia of three proven vectors are described for the first time.

Eight new Brazilian species of Fonsecaiulus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini), new records of species, and key to males of the genus.

Eight new Brazilian species of the South American sharpshooter genus Fonsecaiulus Young, 1977 are described and illustrated. Three new species are from Minas Gerais State (F. youngi sp. nov., F. spinosus sp. nov., and F. unciformis sp. nov.), two from Paraná State (F. chelatus sp. nov. and F. takiyae sp. nov.), one from Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states (F. truncatus sp. nov.), one from Maranhão State (F. longiramus sp. nov.), and one is recorded only from "Brazil" (F. alvarengai sp. nov.). The species descriptions are focused on the male and female terminalia. With the addition of these new taxa, Fonsecaiulus now comprises 17 species; a dichotomic key to males of all these species is provided. New distribution records are given for the following species: F. cognatus (Schmidt, 1928)-Paraná State, F. rectangularis Felix et al., 2015-Bahia State, and F. sanguineovittata (Signoret, 1855)-Paraguay, Canindeyú Department. Notes on the morphology and distribution of the genus are added.

Two new species of the sharpshooter genus Paratubana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from alpine fields of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil.

Two new species of Paratubana Young, 1977 are described and illustrated from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, based on specimens collected in alpine fields (above 1,800 m) of the Serra dos rgos mountain range. Paratubana auromarginata sp. nov. (Pico da Calednia) can be recognized by the paraphyses with the apex bifurcate, forming an outer subquadrate projection and inner spiniform process, whereas in P. takiyae sp. nov. (Parque Nacional da Serra dos rgos) the paraphyses have a pair of strong spiniform processes directed dorsally and crossing each other. The two new species are apparently closely related to each other and both use Eryngium L. (Apiaceae) as host plants. A key to males of the ten known species of the genus is added, as well as two maps of their known distribution.

Two new species of Balacha (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from Brazil with comments on their phylogenetic position and biogeography.

The sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar, 1926 has seven recognized species and is distributed in southern South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Here, two new Brazilian species of this genus are described and illustrated, one (B. ancora sp. nov.) from Serra do Caraça and Serra do Cipó (Minas Gerais State) and another (B. nigroflava sp. nov.) from Ponta Grossa (Paraná State) and Passo Fundo (Rio Grande do Sul State). Based on 67 morphological characters, we carried out a parsimony analysis to estimate the phylogenetic position of the two new species. Using implied weighting in TNT, a single topology within Balacha was obtained with k values that varied from 1.599 to 7.412. In this topology, the two new taxa appeared within the clade of black Balacha species. A biogeographical analysis (S-DIVA) suggested that the ancestral area of distribution of Balacha was the Atlantic Forest domain. Balacha species were so far known to have only Eryngium (Apiaceae) species as host plants. Here we report a new host plant for the genus: B. ancora sp. nov. specimens were collected on Actinocephalus polyanthus (Eriocaulaceae). Balacha similis and B. rubripennis are newly recorded from Argentina and specimens of the latter have a very distinct color pattern from the typical Brazilian specimens. Finally, a key to species and maps showing the known distribution of the genus are given (several state records of species are also provided).

Taxonomy and host-plant relationships of the psyllid genus Mitrapsylla (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae) in Brazil.

The Brazilian species of Mitrapsylla, a Neotropical genus of jumping plant-lice, are reviewed. Twenty-seven species are described as new, and one species originally described from Panama is recorded for the first time from Brazil. This brings the number of Brazilian species from 12 to 40 and for the Neotropical region to 51. The new species are illustrated and Mitrapsylla ceplaciensis (White Hodkinson), M. cubana Crawford and M. itaparica (Crawford) are redescribed. A key for the identification of males is provided for the Brazilian species and information is given on host-plants, habitat and distribution. Host-plants, all Leguminosae, are confirmed for 15 of the new species. The genus is predominantly tropical but extends into the subtropical states in South Brazil.

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.

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.

Descriptions of eight new Acrogonia species from the Amazon region, including peculiar features of the female genitalia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini).

Eight new species of the agriculturally important sharpshooter genus Acrogonia Stål, 1869 are described and illustrated from Brazil (one of them also recorded from Peru): A. amazonensis sp. nov. (state of Amazonas), A. clarae sp. nov. (states of Amazonas and Amapá), A. barbara sp. nov. (state of Mato Grosso), A. youngi sp. nov. (department of Madre de Dios in Peru and state of Acre), A. albertoi sp. nov. (state of Pará), A. tenuis sp. nov. (state of Mato Grosso), A. filiformis sp. nov. (states of Pará and Mato Grosso), and A. interrupta sp. nov. (state of Mato Grosso). In addition to the external morphology, color pattern and male genitalia, this paper includes detailed descriptions and illustrations of the female genitalia of three new species (A. barbara, A. filiformis and A. tenuis). The first ovipositor valvulae of A. tenuis are quite peculiar because they bear a large basal lobe and a projection on the median portion of the ventral margin, both displaying setae. Females of the other five new species are not known.

A remarkable new species of the sharpshooter genus Erythrogonia Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from southern Brazil with taxonomic notes on the genus.

A new species of Erythrogonia Melichar, 1926, E. brunnea, is described and illustrated based on specimens from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil (Atlantic Forest). The new species can be distinguished from the other ones of the genus by the male genitalia and color pattern, especially by the presence of a conspicuous pale yellow arc behind the ocelli that continues posteriorly as a pair of lateral longitudinal stripes over the pronotum and forewings to the base of the third apical cell. Although E. brunnea does not show the typical color pattern of Erythrogonia species, features of both the male and female genitalia justify its assignment to this genus (including a dorsal sclerite located at the base of the rami of the ovipositor valvulae II). Two taxonomic changes are proposed: (1) the monotypic genus Spinagonalia Cavichioli, 2008 is synonymized with Erythrogonia (E. separata Melichar, 1926 = S. rubrovittata Cavichioli, 2008 syn. nov.); (2) Erythrogonia jucunda (Walker, 1851) is transferred to Pawiloma Young, 1977 (P. jucunda (Walker, 1851) comb. nov. = P. rubra Cavichioli, 1998 syn. nov.).

First record of Segonalia Young (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from Brazil including the description of S. machadoi sp. nov.

Segonalia, a previously monotypic genus known from Bolivia, is newly recorded from Brazil and Paraguay based on specimens of S. steinbachi Young, 1977 from Minas Gerais State, Brazil and Paraguay and a new species from Piauí and Pará States, Brazil. Segonalia machadoi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in CZMA: Brasil, Piauí State, Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, 04˚5'57"S, 41˚42'34"W 193 m a.s.l., 12.II.2013, D.M. Takiya leg.) can be distinguished from the type species by its body length and shape of the male pygofer apex and aedeagus. A diagnosis of Segonalia and comparative notes and illustrations of the type species are given.

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.

Eight new species of Oragua Melichar, 1926 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Amazonas State, Brazil, with description of the female terminalia of Oragua jurua Young, 1977, and new records for the genus.

The thirty known species of Oragua are distributed from southern Mexico to Argentina. Seventeen species are recorded from Brazil, but only O. elegantula Young, 1977, O. insipida Young, 1977, and O. jurua Young, 1977 are recorded from Amazonas State. Oragua partitula (Jacobi, 1905) is herein firstly recorded from Brazil, ocurring in Amazonas State. The aim of the study was to describe eight new species of Oragua, to provide a key to males of the species of the genus that are recorded from Amazonas State and to study in detail the female terminalia of these new species. Also, the female of O. jurua Young, 1977 is herein described for the first time. Oragua alerochae sp. nov. has the external color pattern similar to O. bifasciata Cavichioli, 2000, however, the head is darker, the forewings are paler and the stripes are thinner, aedeagus is much more curved with long apical processes, and apex of paraphyses rami are curved. Oragua aurantimaculata sp. nov. is similar externally to O. elegantula and Oragua jau sp. nov. as they share the body brown with three orange maculae on crown and orange maculae on forewings, but it has the aedeagus with shaft enlarged medially with a pair of apical processes curved anteriorly and connective more slender. Oragua bella sp. nov. is dark with orange spots, aedeagus with basal elongated processes extending to the apex of the pygofer, with the basal portion enlarged and narrowing toward the apex. Oragua copiosa sp. nov. is dark with small pale dots all over the body, paraphyses rami are slender and their apices expanded, and styles with hooked apex, extending posteriorly beyond the connective apex. Oragua gracilenta sp. nov. has the external color similar to O. galerula, but it can be distinguished by the brown ground color, absence of two maculae near median line just before posterior margin on pronotum and apex of rami of paraphyses bifurcate and not truncate. Oragua jau sp. nov. has the external color similar to O. elegantula, but the aedeagus is curved and slender with a pair of small lateral processes at the apex and very thin paraphyses rami bifurcating only in the final portion, with the length of the rami just one third of the total length. Oragua schwertineri sp. nov. has the external color similar to O. insipida, however the male genitalia differs from the latter by the lack of paraphyses and aedeagus with pair of basal processes curved dorsally and shaft with pair of apical lateral processes. Oragua unifasciata sp. nov. is dark brown with pale spots over the body with a pale transverse stripe over the anteapical cells and paraphyses stem slender and abruptly broadened at apical two thirds, with rami robust and flattened with posterior margin serrate with large and irregular tooth-like projections. This work raises the number of Oragua species occurring in Amazonas State from three to twelve. 

A new species and key to species of the agriculturally important sharpshooter genus Sonesimia Young (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini).

The new sharpshooter species Sonesimia nessimiani is described from Bolivia based on specimens collected on sugar cane. An identification key to males and females of all known species of the genus is given. In addition to the external morphology, color pattern, and male genitalia, female genital structures are also described and illustrated. Notes comparing the new species with the remaining six Sonesimia species are provided.