Eleazara Distant, 1907

Huang, Weijian & Zhang, Yalin, 2018, First record of the genus Eleazara Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, Ledrinae) in Malaysia, with description of a new species, Zootaxa 4532 (3), pp. 434-440 : 435

Genus Eleazara Distant , new record to Malaysia

Eleazara Distant, 1908: 182 ; Cai & He, 1997: 12

Type species: Eleazara aedificatura Distant, 1908

Diagnosis. The genus Eleazara is similar to Ledra Fabricius, 1803 . It can be distinguished from the latter by: 1) pronotum longer than crown, with the lateral dilated areas laminately subangular ( Figs. 1, 4 ); 2) scutellum with a sagittal elevated crest-like process ( Figs. 1, 2 ); 3) the long metathoracic tarsomere I ( Fig. 3 ); and 4) dorsum strongly granulose ( Figs. 1–6 ).

Description. Body medium to rather large (10.9–17.3mm). Dorsum densely punctate. Head broad, shorter and narrower than pronotum, longer than the width of the anterior margin of the scutellum. Crown foliaceous, punctate, nodulate, not rugose, slightly convex, produced forward, anterior margin angulate, straight in front of eyes and then oblique to apex, median length much greater than width between eyes ( Figs. 1, 2, 5 ). Coronal suture complete and distinct ( Figs. 1, 6 ). Ocelli well-developed, near posterior margin of crown, approximately as close to each other as to eyes ( Figs. 1, 6 ). Face elongate, broadest between eyes. Proepisternum large and collar-like ( Fig. 3 ). Pronotum broad, with paired sublateral longitudinal rows of tubercles and paired submedial carinae variably developed, strongly granulose on posterior area, anterior margin straight or slightly convex, posterior margin slightly or moderately concave ( Figs. 1–4 ). Scutellum and exposed part of mesonotum triangular, shorter than pronotum, with sagittal elevated crest. Scutellar suture distinct, reaching lateral margin ( Figs. 1, 2 ). Forewing granulose, venation reticulate, especially apically, veins elevated and prominent; appendix poorly developed ( Figs. 1, 2 ). Hind wings hyaline, fully-developed. Pro- and mesothoracic leg chaetotaxy reduced, with setae short and fine. Legs of moderate length. Hind femur macrosetal formula 2 + 0; hind tibiae dilated, with 5 to 6 stout and enlarged setae rows perpendicular to axis of leg anterodorsally (AD); posterodorsal (PD) setae short and fine; anteroventral (AV) and posteroventral (PV) setae shorter and finer.

Male 8th sternite about as long as or longer than 7th sternite, posterior margin moderately concave medially, with or without numerous short setae apically on ventral surface (Fig. 15). Male pygofer almost triangular, without terminal process; ventroposterior margin with terminally directed process ( Figs. 7, 8 , 12, 14). Subgenital plate ligulate and depressed, fused at base, tapered to rounded apex, with numerous short setae on ventral surface ( Figs. 7, 8 , 12, 13). Aedeagal shaft tubular, curved dorsad, with ( Eleazara yangi Cai & He ) or without ( Eleazara viraktamathi Huang & Zhang sp. nov.) paired processes arising subapically ( Figs. 7 –10, 12). Style slender or broad, curved ventrally at apex (Figs. 9, 10). Connective short, T-shaped or trapeziform (Figs. 9–11).

Distribution. China, India, Malaysia.

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Eleazara viraktamathi sp. nov. Holotype: 1. habitus, dorsal view; 2. habitus, lateral view; 3. habitus, ventral view; 4. pronotum, dorsal view; 5. face, anterior view; 6. head, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1mm.

FIGURES 7–8. Eleazara viraktamathi sp. nov. 7. male genital capsule, dorsal view; 8. male genital capsule, lateral view. Scale bars = 0.5mm.