Libengaia (Libengaia) trifida, 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 : 113

Libengaia (Libengaia) trifida sp. nov.

Figs 1F , MN, 5A–F.

Diagnosis. Coloration similar to that in L. (L.) brevistylus , but the maculae bolder and denser. Aedeagal shaft appearing trifid in lateral view.

Description. Male 3.6 mm long. Coloration similar to that in L. (L.) brevistylus , but the maculae bolder and denser.

Male genitalia. Pygofer about as long as height at base in lateral view, dorsal and ventral margins almost straight, posteroventral angle rounded, macrosetae present in posterior 0.33. Style with well-developed preapical lobe, apophysis slender, slightly laterally curved, with sculptured lateral surface. Connective stem 2× as long as arms, apex widened. Aedeagal shafts about 0.33 s long as ventral process, slightly shorter than preatrium, each shaft with lamellate ledge laterally, distally projected as short process slightly beyond gonopore, preatrium with slender elongate process arising at base shafts and extending beyond atrial wall, forked before apex into unequal branches; shaft in dorsal view straight and divergent distally.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE ♂, NIGERIA: Ilaro Forest , W. Nigeria, 2.ii.1975, J. Riley ( BMNH).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the three pronged apex of each of the aedeagal shafts.

Remarks. This species has a shorter aedeagal shaft as in the other species of the nominate subgenus found in Africa but differs in having each shaft appearing trifid in lateral view.

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.