Ruppeliana nigripes (Signoret, 1853)

Figs 6–7

Tettigonia nigripes Signoret, 1853: 370 .

Ruppeliana nigripes – Young 1977: 751. — Cavichioli et al. 2017: 438 (in key).

Diagnosis

Large and robust sharpshooters, about 12 mm in length (Fig. 6A–B). Overall coloration yellow, forewings brown, with longitudinal yellowish or whitish stripes (Fig. 6A–B). Male pygofer with apex narrowly rounded (Fig. 6D). Subgenital plate not attaining pygofer apex (Fig. 6D). Style long, with apical portion directed outwards and apex rounded (Fig. 6F). Aedeagus shaft expanded preapically, with apex truncated (Fig. 6G). Aedeagal atrium with two pairs of processes: one basidorsal, slender, long, and subparallel, the second preapical, short, and acute (Fig. 6G–H).

Material examined

BRAZIL – São Paulo State • 4 ♀♀; São José do Barreiro, Parque Nacional da Bocaina; elev. 1300– 1600 m; 16–21 Dec. 2010; R. A. Carvalho leg.; DZUP • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 22°41′43″ S, 44°38′00″ W; elev. 1600 m; 1 Apr. 2010; G. Melo leg.; DZUP • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; M.A. Vulcano leg; DZUP • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; Nov. 1976; F.M. Oliveira leg.; DZUP • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; Mar. 1973; F.M. Oliveira leg.; DZUP • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; R. Spitz leg.; DZUP .

Description

MEASUREMENTS (mm). Total length. Males: 11.4–12.1 (n = 4), females: 12.1–13.1 (n = 8).

HEAD (Fig. 6A). In dorsal view, moderately produced anteriorly, anterior margin broadly rounded, median length of crown ¼ of interocular width and ⅓ of transocular width. Frons (Fig. 6C), in frontal view, texture slightly granular, muscular impressions indistinct, epistomal suture complete. Clypeus (Fig. 6C), in frontal view, slightly pubescent apically. Pronotum (Fig. 6A), in dorsal view, with lateral margins slightly convergent anteriorly; posterior two-thirds of disk slightly transversely striated medially. Mesonotum (Fig. 6A) texture slightly granulated. Forewings (Fig. 6A–B) veins indistinct; membrane distinct, including inner anteapical cell and posterior third of remaining apical cells; bases of anteapical cells approximately aligned with claval apex. Remaining characteristics of external morphology as described for the genus by Young (1977: 747).

COLORATION. Crown (Fig. 6A–B) yellow. Frons (Fig. 6C) yellow, with a subquadrangular shaped black macula. Clypeus (Fig. 6C) yellow, with a longitudinal brown stripe medially, broadened basally and apically. Lorum and gena (Fig. 6C) yellow. Pronotum (Fig. 6A) yellow, with blackened anterior margin, enlarged medially, a brown longitudinal stripe medially, posterior margin smoky black. Mesonotum (Fig. 6A) yellow, transverse sulcus darkened. Meso and metasternum (Fig. 6B–C) yellow. Forewing (Fig. 6A–B) brown, with three pairs of longitudinal yellow bands, one in clavus, one medially, and one in costal margin, the latter two almost connecting each other transversally. Legs (Fig. 6B) yellow with tibia and distal portions darkened. Abdomen (Fig. 7A–B) brown, with lateral margins paler.

MALE GENITALIA. Pygofer (Fig. 6D), in lateral view, strongly produced posteriorly, dorsal, and ventral margins narrowing after basal third, posterior margin narrowly rounded, macrosetae distributed along the posterior third of disc; in dorsal view, with a pair of internal processes arising from anteroventral margin, parallel to each other and with rounded apex. Valve (Fig. 6E), in ventral view, narrow, dorsal, and ventral margins subparallel. Subgenital plate (Fig. 6D–E), in ventral view, triangular, narrowing gradually towards apex, inner margin rectilinear, outer margin with a uniseriate row of macrosetae; in lateral view, attaining pygofer posterior third, dorsal margin with multiseriate row of long microsetae. Style (Fig. 6F), in dorsal view, elongate, extending posteriorly much beyond apex of connective, apical portion curved outwards, outer margin bearing microsetae preapically, apex rounded. Connective (Fig. 6F), in dorsal view, U-shaped, arms short, with a short median keel. Aedeagus (Fig. 6G–H), in lateral view, shaft broadened apically, dorsal margin slightly curved ventrally, apex truncated; in dorsal view, apex opened medially as the gonopore exit. Aedeagal atrium well developed, forming a sheath-like structure, with two pairs of acute processes, one basidorsal, elongate with apex acute, trespassing much far as shaft’s apex; second short and acute, located preapically; in ventral view, posterior margin tipped medially, short processes arising laterally, directed inwards; basidorsal processes apical portions convergent.

FEMALE GENITALIA. Pygofer (Fig. 7B), in lateral view moderately produced posteriorly, posterior margin triangular, macrosetae along ventral and posterior margins. Abdominal sternite VII (Fig. 7B–C) wider than long, posterior margin slightly emarginated medially; posterolateral corners slightly rounded. Valvifer I (Fig. 7D), in lateral view, rounded. Valvula I (Fig. 7D–E), in lateral view, blade narrowed apically, base with a lobated projection directed anteriorly, apex acute; dorsal sculptured area strigate, extending from basal portion to apex, ventral sculpted area strigate, restricted to apical portions. Valvula II (Fig. 7F–H), in lateral view, expanded beyond basal curvature, narrowing gradually towards apex, without preapical prominence, apex rounded; dorsal margin with 40 continuous teeth, irregularly shaped after basal curvature, robust and triangular at basal and median portions and small and trapezoid in apical portion, all bearing denticles. Gonoplac (Fig. 7I–J), in lateral view, with basal half narrow, bearing denticuli in ventral margin, apical half expanded; apex rounded and slightly directed dorsally, with apical surface bearing denticuli and few macrosetae in ventroposterior margin.

Remarks

Ruppeliana nigripes can be distinguished from its congeners by its large, robust appearance and unique coloration, characterized by brown forewings with three pairs of conspicuous yellow longitudinal bands.