Stirellus paralesioensis, Duan & Zhang & Dietrich, 2019

Duan, Yani, Zhang, Yating & Dietrich, Christopher H., 2019, Six new species of Stenometopiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with redescription of additional species and new distributional records, Zootaxa 4603 (2), pp. 201-240 : 227-230

Stirellus paralesioensis sp. nov.

( Figs 25–26 )

Description. Length. Male: 3.3–3.6mm; female: 4.6mm.

Coloration. General color stramineous with brown marks ( Fig. 25 A–C). Crown unmarked except pair of small spots on posterior margin, pronotum with transverse row of 4–6 anterior spots, mesonotum with pair of small sub- medial spots ( Fig. 25A, B ). Frontoclypeus with sordid white arcs reaching only part way across ( Fig. 25D ). Forewing translucent with fuscous tint and white veins ( Fig. 25 A–C). Femora and tibiae with dark brown marks ( Fig. 25C ). Abdominal segments variably infused with dark brown ( Fig. 25E ).

Morphology. Head slightly narrower than pronotum, subconical, anterior margin rounded to face, acutely angled in dorsal and lateral view ( Fig. 25 A–C). Crown nearly as long as 2x width between eyes ( Fig. 25A, B ). Anteclypeus parallel-sided, extending slightly beyond normal curve of genae ( Fig. 25D ). Pronotum median length shorter than median length of crown. Mesonotum and scutellum together nearly as long as pronotum ( Fig. 25A, B ). Forewing submacropterous, usually exposing apex of abdomen in female, with many supernumerary crossveins ( Fig. 25 A–C).

Male genitalia. Pygofer side long, with few macrosetae dorsally, posterior margin nearly truncate ( Fig. 26A ). Subgenital plate slightly concave laterally, macrosetae uniseriate laterally ( Fig. 26C ). Style apophysis digitate, laterally curved ( Fig. 26D, E ). ConnectiveConnective Y-shaped, stemstem shortershorter thanthan armsarms ( Fig. 26F ). AedeagalAedeagal shaftshaft bentbent atat nearnear base, long, slim, curving, parallel to aedeagal base, tip not pointed in dorsal view ( Fig. 26G, H ).

Female. Hind margin of seventh sternum shallowly concave ( Fig. 25E ).

Material examined. Holotype: Ƌ, South Africa: W Cape Prov. Koeël Bay , 34° 14′ 560" S 18° 51′ 573" E, 64.5m, 18 xii 2004, #04-52, coll. J.N. Zahniser, sweep ( INHS) . Paratypes: 1♀, South Africa: W Cape Prov. Voëlv- leidam, 33° 20′ 768" S 19° 03′ 389" E, 90.5m, 14 xii 2004, #04-37, coll. J.N. Zahniser, sweep ( INHS) ; 1Ƌ, 1♀, South Africa: W Cape Prov. Hangklip, 33° 22′ 686" S 18° 50′ 759" E, 1.797m, 19 xii 2004, #04-54, coll. J.N. Zahn- iser, sweep ( INHS) .

Etymology. The species epithet alludes to the similarity of this species to S. lesioensis sp. nov.

Distribution. South Africa.

Remarks. This species is similar to S. lesioensis sp. nov. but it can be distinguished by its much smaller size, reduced markings on the dorsum, and acutely angulate anterior margin of the crown.

Figures

FIGURE 25. Stirellus paralesioensis sp. nov. A, B: habitus, dorsal view; C: habitus, lateral view; D: face; E: the end of female abdomen, ventral view. A: paratype, male; B–E: paratype, female.

FIGURE 26. Stirellus paralesioensis sp. nov. A: male pygofer lobe, lateral view; B: male pygofer and segments X and XI, dorsal view; C: valve, subgenital plates and styles, ventral view; D, E: style, dorsal view; F: connective, dorsal view; G: aedeagus, dorsal view; H: aedeagus, lateral view. A–D, F–H: holotype, male; E: paratype, male.