Libengaia (Libengaia) deemingi, 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 : 110

Libengaia (Libengaia) deemingi sp. nov.

Figs 1 BC, HI, 4A–D.

Diagnosis. Coloration similar to that in L. vermiculata but more richly mottled with dark brown on crown, thorax and forewings. Aedeagus in this species differs from other congeners in that the preatrium is broad and short, ventral process with an anterior projection and ventral margin serrated.

Description. Male 4.1–4.8 mm long, female 4.6–5.0 mm long. Coloration similar to that in L. vermiculata but more richly mottled with dark brown on crown, thorax and forewings; mottling on mesonotum forming one median and one submedian longitudinal stripe ( Figs 1 BC). Face greyish with a few transverse arcuate stripes on either side of median line on frontoclypeus and sutures on face dark brown. Forewing more richly mottled with dark brown along inner half including clavus. Female more darkly and richly mottled than male.

Male genitalia. Pygofer about 1.25× as long as its height at base, dorsal margin for the most part straight, posterodorsal angle conically rounded, with a few macrosetae on posterior 0.33 length. Subgenital plate as in generic description. Style with well-developed preapical lobe; apophysis about half as long as total length of style, slightly curved and narrowed distally to acute point, with a series of setae along outer margin. Aedeagal shaft divergent in ventral view, in lateral view slightly curved, preatrium short and broad in lateral view; ventral process in lateral view broad at base and narrowed apically, with serrated ventral margin, and short anterior basal projection.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE ♂, NIGERIA: Zaria , Samaru, 8.vii.1977, abundant with nymphs on Terminalia avicennioides (Bambara: Wolobugun) (Combretacaea) leaves, J.C. Deeming ( BMNH) . Paratypes. 1 ♀, same data as holotype (in copula) ; 2 ♂, 2 ♀, same data as holotype except with nymphs on underside of Terminalia avicennioides leaves ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀ (+ ant), same data as holotype except 2.i.1976, on low shrub attended by ants ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀ (+ ant), same data as holotype except 30.iii.1974, attended by ants ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Nigeria: Samaru, 12.xi.1959, on Terminalia sp. ( BMNH) .

Etymology. This species is named after Dr. John Deeming, an eminent Dipterist who also collected this species.

Remarks. Adults of this species along with nymphs were found on Terminalia avicennaioides suggesting that it breeds on that plant and also these were attended by an unidentified ant species of the genus Crematogaster ( Hymenoptera : Formicidae ) ( Figs 1 OP).

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.