Libengaia (Nandiana) bharatiensis (Malhotra & Sharma) Viraktamath & Webb & Yeshwanth, 2024

Viraktamath, C. A., Webb, M. D. & Yeshwanth, H. M., 2024, Opsiini leafhopper genus Libengaia Linnavuori (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) in Africa and India with description of one new subgenus and six new species, Zootaxa 5507 (1), pp. 104-122 : 115

Libengaia (Nandiana) bharatiensis (Malhotra & Sharma) comb. nov.

Figs 6A–J , 7A–E, I–M , 8A–G .

Litura bharatiensis Malhotra & Sharma 1977: 27–29 , Figs 1–9 .

Cestius terminaliae Viraktamath 1978: 241–243 , Figs 1 –11, s yn. nov.

Diagnosis. This species can be recognized from other species of the subgenus by the aedeagal shaft having one retrorse apical process that is slightly widened beyond midlength. Coloration especially in males is variable ( Figs 6A–J ).

Description. Female. Coloration similar to male but less variable. Sternite VII twice as wide as long medially, posterior margin broadly produced medially into bilobed lobe, lateral angles produced and conically rounded. Valvula I curved dorsally, dorsal sculpturing strigate, occupying distal half length, strigae dorsally becoming cellular on dorsal margin. Valvula II curved dorsally, with one tooth almost at midlength dorsally, regular toothed area occupying distal 0.4 length, each tooth slightly broader than height, with secondary dentition.

Material examined. INDIA: Karnataka: HOLOTYPE ♂, and 1♂, 1♀, paratypes of Cestius terminaliae . Bangalore, Lalbagh , ex Terminalia arjuna , 19.vi.1974, C.A. Viraktamath ( UASB) . Other material: 1♂, 2♀, Bangalore, 12.ix.1976; 1♂, Mudigere, 22.v.1978; 1♂, Nagarahole , 17.i.1978; 5♂, 2♀, Thithimathi, 20.i.1978; 1♂, Channapatna, 15.vii.1976, all collected by C.A. Viraktamath; 1♂, 1♀, Biligiri Rangana Hills , 16–17.i.1975, S. A. Viraktamath; 1♀, Bandipur, 18.i.1985, S.A. Viraktamath ( UASB) . Gujarat: 1♂, Waghai , 18.i.1981, C.A. Viraktamath ( UASB) . Maharashtra: 1♂, Khandala , 18.xi.1977, T. M.M. Ali ( UASB) .

Remarks. Viraktamath (1978) adequately described the species and also illustrated the male genitalia; here only the male genitalia are described and illustrations of both male and female genitalia are given in addition to habitus. The color is very variable from light brownish maculation on the head, thorax and abdomen to jet black overall coloration. Some females are very pale with well-developed ivory markings on the pronotum and wings. It resembles L. (N.) lamerallis but can be distinguished by the characters given in the key.

Figures

FIGURE 1 A–P. Species of Libengaia (Libengaia), habitus dorsal (A–F), face (G–N) and ant. A, G, L. (L.) brevistylus sp. nov. male; BC, HI, L. (L.) deemingi sp. nov.: male (BH), female (CI); D, JK, L. (L.) immaculata male; E, L, M, L. (L.) longistylus sp. nov.; F, N, L. (L.) trifida sp. nov., holotype male, face; OP, ant, Crematogaster sp. dorsal and lateral view.

FIGURE 2 A–E. Libengaia (Libengaia) brevistylus sp. nov., male genitalia. A, pygofer, lateral view; B, style, dorsal view; C, connective, dorsal view; D, aedeagus, dorsal view; E, aedeagus, lateral view.

FIGURE 3 A–E. Libengaia (Libengaia) immaculata sp. nov., male genitalia. A, genital capsule, lateral view; B, style, dorsal view; C, connective, dorsal view; D, aedeagus, ventral view; E, aedeagus, lateral view.

FIGURE 4 A–G. Species of Libengaia (Libengaia) male genitalia. A–D, L. (L.) deemingi sp. nov.: A, genital capsule, lateral view; B, style, dorsal view; C, aedeagus, ventral view; D, aedeagus, lateral view. E–G, L. (L.) longistylus sp. nov.: E, aedeagus, lateral view; F, aedeagus, dorsal view; G, style, dorsal view.

FIGURE 5 A–F. Libengaia (Libengaia) trifida sp. nov., male genitalia. A, pygofer, lateral view; B, subgenital plate, ventral view; C, connective, dorsal view; D, style, dorsal view and apex of style, magnified; E, aedeagus, dorsal view; F, aedeagus, lateral view.

FIGURE 6 A–P. Species of Libengaia (Nandiana), habitus dorsal and lateral views.A– J, color variation in L. (N.) bharatiensis (Malhotra & Shrma): specimens from Bandipur (AB), Khandala (CD), Mudigere (EF), Thirthahalli (GH) and Waghai (IJ); K–N, L. (N.) lamerallis Sunil & Meshram, male (KL), female (MN); O–P, L. (N.) ramamurthyi sp. nov., holotype male.

FIGURE 7 A–R. Species of Libengaia (Nandiana), faces and female genitalia.A–E, L. (N.) bharatiensis (Malhotra & Sharma), color variation in face: specimens from Bandipur (A), Khandala (B), Mudigere (C), Thirthahalli (D) and Waghai (E); F–G, L. (N.) lamerallis Sunil & Meshram, male and female; H, L. (N.) ramamurthyi sp. nov., holotype male face; I–M, L. (N.) bharatiensis: I, female sternite VII; JK, valvula I; LM, valvula II; N–R, L. (N.) lamerallis: N, female sternite VII; OP, valvula I; QR, valvula II.

FIGURE 8 A–G. Libengaia (Nandiana) bharatiensis (Malhotra & Sharma, male genitalia: A, pygofer and anal tube, lateral view; B, valve, ventral view; C, styles and subgenital plates dorsal view; D, style, dorsal view; E, connective and aedeagus, dorsal view; F, aedeagus, ventral view; G, connective and aedeagus, lateral view.

FIGURE 9 A–H. Libengaia (Nandiana) lamerallis Sunil & Meshram, metatibia and male genitalia: A, chaetotaxy of apex of metatibia, ventral view; B, pygofer, lateral view; C, subgenital plate, ventral view; D, connective, dorsal view; E, style, dorsal view; F, aedeagus dorsal view; G, aedeagal shaft, dorsolateral view; H, aedeagus, lateral view.