Varta rubrofasciata Distant

Viraktamath, C. A., 2004, A revision of the Varta­Stymphalus generic complex of the leafhopper tribe Scaphytopiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the Old World, Zootaxa 713, pp. 1-47 : 13

Varta rubrofasciata Distant

Figs 33 , 49–50 .

Varta rubrofasciata Distant, 1908: 321 . Holotype Ψ, INDIA [BMNH, examined]. Viraktamath and Anantha Murthy, 1999:54.

Bluish­green with red longitudinal stripes. Vertex with two central longitudinal reddish stripes between which there is a slender dark line, the apical margin with four small piceous lines. Pronotum with four and scutellum with two longitudinal reddish lines. Front wing with longitudinal reddish lines as in fig. 33.

Male genitalia: As in generic description. Valve with an acute caudal angel, 1.5 times as long as broad at base, Subgenital plate with broadly rounded caudal apex, about 1.5 times as long as broad at base. Apophysis of style stout, about 0.33 as long as style length. Connective as in fig.55. Aedeagal shaft ventrally produced near base, compressed, strongly sinuate, with a subapical curved process on ventral margin, a bladelike ridge on dorsal margin apically.

Female genitalia: as in generic description.

Measurements: Male 5.17 (4.90–5.40) mm long, 1.08 (1.08–1.10) mm wide across eyes, 1.24 (1.20–1.30) mm wide across pronotum. Female 5.70 (5.60–6.00) mm long, 1.15 (1.13–1.180) mm wide across eyes and 1.37 (1.33–1.40) mm wide across pronotum.

Material examined: INDIA: West Bengal: holotype Ψ, Bengal, Lefroy, Distant Coll. ( BMNH). Delhi: 2ɗ, 2Ψ, New Delhi, IARI campus, 23.x.1991; Gujarat: 1Ψ, Navsari, 16.i.1981; 2Ψ, Junagadh, 30.i.1981; Karnataka: 5ɗ, 1Ψ Gadag, ex Sorghum bicolor Moench. 21.ii.1978; 6ɗ, 10Ψ, Raichur, 16.xii.1980; 1ɗ, 1Ψ, Sidleghatta, 9.viii.1976; 1Ψ, Nagarhole, 17.i.1978; 1Ψ, 18.xii.1978; all collected by C.A. Viraktamath ( BMNH, UAS). TAIWAN: 1ɗ, Nautau Hsien (det M. Webb) ( TARI).

Remarks: V. rubrofasciata and V. rubrostriata resemble each other externally but can be readily distinguished by the characters of the male genitalia given in the key. Aedeagal shaft in this species is very strongly sinuate.

Figures

FIGURES 32 – 40. Red or orange stripes on front wings of Varta­Stymphalus complex. 32. Stymphalus rubrolineatus (Stål); 33. Varta rubrofasciata Distant; 34. Varta rubrostriata (Horváth); 35. Varta longula sp. nov., from Australia; 36. Same from New Guinea; 37. Varta rubrovittata; 38. Varta bifida sp. nov.; 39. Vartalapa robusta sp. nov.; 40. Vartalapa malayana.

FIGURES 49 – 57. Species of Varta Distant. 49 – 50. Varta rubrofasciata Distant from Raichur, India: 49. Male genital capsule; 50. Aedeagus, lateral view. 51 – 57. Varta rubrostriata (Horváth): 51. Male genital capsule; 52. Same, dorsal view; 53. Valve and subgenital plates; 54. Style; 55. Connective; 56. Aedeagus, lateral view; 57. Same, caudo­ventral view.