Neocarpia rhizophorae Löcker, 2010

Löcker, Birgit, Fletcher, Murray J. & Gurr, Geoff M., 2010, Taxonomic revision of the Australian Eucarpiini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) with the description of nine new species, Zootaxa 2425, pp. 1-31 : 17-19

Neocarpia rhizophorae Löcker , sp. nov.

( Figs 7 , 17 )

Types. Holotype 3, AUSTRALIA, Qld: 25 km NW Townsville, Saunders Beach, 19°09.5’S, 146°36.0’E, collected in mangrove forest on Rhizophora stylosa , RS9511.P030, 25.iv.1995 (D.W. Burrows) (ASCU ASCTHE003483). Paratypes, NT: 1 Ƥ, E. Alligator Riv., Kakadu, 19.vi.1982, [KTG; Q4; K2247] (W. Houston) (QDPI). Qld: 2 Ƥ, Eurimbula, Mangroves, 28.iii.1975 (D.K. McAlpine) (AMS). WA: 1 Ƥ, Prince Regent River Reserve, 15°37’S, 125°18’E, ex mangrove swamp, 30.viii.1974 (W.J. Bailey, K.T. Richards) (ASCU).

Etymology. This species has been collected on the mangrove, Rhizophora stylosa Griffith (Rhizophoraceae) .

Colour. Head mid brown with numerous pale dots, carinae pale except for concolorous median carina on postclypeus. Pro- and mesonotum light to mid brown with pale carinae; mesonotum with pale dots on disc between lateral carinae. Forewings hyaline transparent, often with scattered brown marks and brown areas, veins light brown, crossveins mid brown, tubercles mid brown, pterostigma light brown. Abdomen light to mid brown, legs light brown.

Morphology. Body length: 3 5.2 mm; Ƥ 5.8–6.7 mm.

Head: Vertex 1.4–1.7 times wider than long; with or without median carina (if present, not elevated but differently coloured than remainder of vertex). Frons 0.8–0.9 times as long as wide; frons invisible in dorsal view; maximum width more than twice apical width, broadening over a very short distance, therefore lateral carinae distinctly concave; position of maximum width of frons more or less around centre of frontoclypeal suture; median carina complete; lateral carinae strongly elevated. Frontoclypeal suture distinctly semicircular, bent upwards, median part just reaching lower margin of antennal scape. Lateral carinae of anteclypeus well developed. Subapical segment of rostrum 1.6–1.9 times longer than apical segment.

Thorax: Forewing 2.9–3.0 times longer than wide; with about 9–16 tubercles on Costa; RP apically bifid; MA apically trifid. Hind leg: tibia without lateral spines, with 6 apical teeth (innermost tooth larger and more sclerotised than adjacent tooth); 1st tarsomere with 6–7 apical teeth; 2nd tarsomere with 7 (rarely 6) apical teeth and 0–3 very fine setae underneath row of apical teeth (no platellae).

Male genitalia: Anal tube as in Figs 17 B, C. Genital styles as in Figs 17 D, E, with inner side of basal arm bearing small tooth. Ventromedian process triangular ( Fig. 17 D). Aedeagus as in Fig. 17 A. Phallotheca right laterally with strong, sclerotised spine (a) and dorsally with hook-shaped flattened ridge. Flagellum ventrally with very large spine (b).

Remarks. This species can easily be distinguished from the Taiwanese type species N. maai by the presence of a very long spine on the flagellum, which protrudes beyond the apex of the flagellum and by the chaetotaxy of the 2nd hind tarsomere.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Neocarpia rhizophorae: A habitus lateral (holotype); B forewing (holotype); C dorsum (holotype); D face (holotype). Scalebar 1 mm applies to figure A.

FIGURE 17. Neocarpia rhizophorae: A aedeagus right lateral (holotype); B, C anal tube (holotype); D, E genital styles (holotype).