Platyretus sudindicus Viraktamath & Webb

Dai, Wu & Zhang, Yalin, 2008, A review of the Oriental grassland leafhopper genus Platyretus Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), Zootaxa 1696, pp. 37-47 : 41-46

Platyretus sudindicus Viraktamath & Webb , sp. nov.

( Figs 27–35 )

Color and external characters as in generic description.

Male genitalia: Pygophore, subgenital plates similar to P. javanicus . Apophysis of style distally abruptly narrowed to a bluntly pointed process, with slender marginal setae. Aedeagal shaft relatively elongate, with truncate narrow projection apically in lateral view, with dorsal unpgimented ridge, gonopore moderately large. Female genitalia: Seventh sternite with median lobe rounded without median excavation on hind margin. Measurements: Male 6.5 mm long, 1.6 mm wide across eyes. Female 6.6 mm long, 1.7 mm wide across eyes.

FIGURES 36–42. Platyretus brevipenis Dai and Zhang , sp. nov. 36. Pygophore, lateral view; 37. Pygophore, dorsal view; 38. Apex of male style, lateral view; 39. Connective; 40. Aedeagus, caudal view; 41. Aedeagus, lateral view; 42. Subgenital plate and valve, ventral view.

Material examined: INDIA: Holotype ɗ, Karnataka: Kodyamalai R.F. 28.xi.1984, S. Viraktamath ( BMNH). Paratypes: 1 Ψ, data as for holotype. India: Karnataka: 6 ɗ, 2 Ψ, Mudigere, 970m, 7.iv. 1975 (1 Ψ), 21.v.1976 (2 ɗ, 1 Ψ), 6.iv.1980 (1 ɗ, 1 Ψ), 7.iv. 1980 (1 ɗ), C.A. Viraktamath, 9.iv.1980 (1 ɗ); 1 ɗ, 16 Km E Yellapur, 23.ix.1975; 1 Ψ, Yellapur, 15.xi.1977, C.A. Viraktamath ( UASB). Other material: Kerala: 1 ɗ, Aliparamba, 20.x.1908, Y.R. ( BMNH)

Remarks: This species appears to be confined to the Indian peninsula. It can be recognized by its relatively elongate aedeagal shaft, and style with well developed subapical lobe and the apophysis lacking marginal setae. Its color may vary from reddish brown to very dark brown.

Figures

FIGURES 27 – 35. Platyretus sudindicus Viraktamath and Webb, sp. nov. 27. Head and thorax, dorsal view; 28. face; 29. head and thorax, profile; 30. Male genital capsule, lateral view; 31. Apex of male style, lateral view; 32. Male style, dorsal view; 33. Aedeagus, caudal view; 34. Aedeagus, lateral view; 35. Median lobe of female seventh sternite.