Myerslopia tawhai, Szwedo, 2004

Szwedo, Jacek, 2004, A new genus and six new species of ground-dwelling leafhoppers from Chile and New Zealand (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Myerslopiidae), Zootaxa 424 (1), pp. 1-20 : 14-17

Myerslopia tawhai sp. n.

(Figs. 28–29)

DIAGNOSIS: In general appearance similar to M. magna scabrata , but with different composition of protuberances, it differs by smaller size, only three conical projections on discal area of tegmen (seven protuberances in M. magna scabrata ), and lack of upper pair of protuberances of frontoclypeus, protuberances on each side against posterior margin midway between midline and eye indistinct (protuberances large in M. magna scabrata ).

DESCRIPTION: Total length 5.53 mm (female). General colour tawny, with indistinct ivory marking at base of tegmen, near veins R+M stem, and yellowish marking in apical portion of tegmen, face brown with lighter spots on apices of lower pair of frontoclypeal protuberances. Body covered with setiferous bullae.

Head slightly narrower than pronotum with paranotal lobes, anterior margin distinctly produced, foliaceous, sinuate. Vertex triangular with medial length about 3 / 4 width between eyes, with triradial impression, posterolateral tubercles indistinct.

Frontoclypeus about as wide as high in mid line, with lower pair of protuberances tumid, upper pair missing, anteclypeus swollen, about 0.6 times frontoclypeus height, with distinct medial prominence.

Pronotum narrow, collar­like, with paranotal lobes distinct, triangular, anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin almost straight, only with shallow incision between median ridges, median ridges widely separated, indistinct, postocular ridges distinct; mesonotum wide at base, slightly longer than pronotum in mid line, scutellum convex.

Tegmina (Fig. 28) about 3.92 mm long, 1.96 mm wide, irregularly oval with tapered apex, coriaceous, punctate, each puncture with setiferous bulla. Costal margin ridge like, thickened in basal portion, forming two distinct ridges, external and internal slightly bent under tegmen, slightly sinuate in apical portion. An oval indistinct protuberance at base of common vein R+M, vein R with one conical tubercle just before half of tegmen length; vein M with one small, conical tubercle at half of tegmen length. Vein Cu with bigger tumosity in about 1 / 3 distance from apex. Claval suture in form of ridge with two longitudinal projections, one at base and the other elongate oval distinctly before half of tegmen length. Claval vein with very indistinct projection at base; joined commissure protuberance very distinct, triangular.

Hind wings lacking.

Fore legs covered with setae, tibia with row AV with three longer, stiff setae in half length. Mid legs slightly longer, tibia covered with setae; hind legs more slender, femur with single apical seta, tibia about 1.7 mm long, rows PD and AD with four stout macrosetae, row AV with four stout macrosetae in distal half, row PV with two stout macrosetae in apical part, apex with double, transverse pecten on ventral surface, with proximal row of 7 spurs of spiniform plate and seta and distal row of 7 spurs of base and seta. Tarsomeres with numerous irregularly arranged setae, basitarsomere about as long as combined length of mid and apical tarsomeres, external plantar margin with row of 7 thicker setae, a few similar setae also on plantar surface, mid and apical tarsomere subequal in length, covered with setae, claws distinct, arolium bilobate.

Female sternite 8 th large, 1.45 mm wide, 0.71 mm long in mid line, deeply cleft in mid line, not covering base of ovipositor; laterally of median cleft pair of fissures not reaching caudal margin. Female pygofer 0.85 mm long, covered with setiferous bulla, setae hooked, lateral lobe of pygofer with small projection caudad. Ovipositor 0.99 mm long. Genital vestibulum in female with pair of elongate, slightly curved sclerotizations (Fig. 29).

Male: not known.

ETYMOLOGY: From Maori name of Nothofagus tree—tawha.

MATERIAL STUDIED: Holotype, male; MHNG; Labelled: [ NEW ZEALAND: S IS., SL / Longwood Range, 150 m / 10.II.1992, silver / beech forest / D. Burckhardt #42]; [handwritten Myerslopia / det D. Burckhardt / 94]; red label [HOLOTYPE]; [ Myerslopia / tawhai Szw. ♀ / det. J. Szwedo; 2002].