Research Article
Print
Research Article
Two new species of the bamboo-feeding planthopper genus Neobelocera Ding & Yang from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae)
expand article infoHong-Xing Li‡, Xiang-Sheng Chen§, Lin Yang§
‡ Guizhou Light Industrial Technical College, Guiyang, China
§ Guizhou University, Guiyang, China

Corresponding author: Hong-Xing Li ( lhx5340@163.com )

Academic editor: Mike Wilson
© 2023 Hong-Xing Li, Xiang-Sheng Chen, Lin Yang.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Li H-X, Chen X-S, Yang L (2023) Two new species of the bamboo-feeding planthopper genus Neobelocera Ding & Yang from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae). ZooKeys 1183: 233-244. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1183.101123
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0CBD4984-6403-4D7A-B668-F2D4167F5368
Open Access

Abstract

Two new species of the bamboo-feeding genus Neobelocera Ding & Yang, 1986, N. furcata sp. nov. and N. parvula sp. nov., are described and illustrated from China. A key based on the male genitalia is given to distinguish species of this genus and a map provided to show their geographic distribution. Habitus photos for adults and illustrations of male genitalia are also given.

Key words

Fulgoromorpha, identification key, morphology, oriental region, taxonomy

Introduction

Neobelocera is an Oriental bamboo-feeding planthopper genus, belonging to tribe Tropidocephalini under subfamily Delphacinae (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Delphacidae). It was established by Ding and Yang (Ding et al. 1986) with type species Neobelocera asymmetrica Ding & Yang, 1986. This genus is only known to occur in southern China. Species in the genus exhibit morphological diversity in male genitalia. Detailed generic characteristics and a key for the identification of species in the genus were provided by Chen and Liang (2005). Subsequently, the genus and three species, N. asymmetrica, N. zhejiangensis (Zhu, 1988) and N. hanyinensis Qin & Yuan, 1998, were redescribed in a monograph on Delphacidae of China (Ding 2006). Hou and Chen (2010) revised the genus again and increased it to six species. Hu and Ding (2014) described a new species from Tibet, China. Recently, Li et al. (2020) updated the identification key of this genus and added two new species from southwest China, which led to total of nine species, viz., N. asymmetrica Ding & Yang, 1986, N. zhejiangensis (Zhu, 1988), N. hanyinensis Qin & Yuan, 1998, N. lanpingensis Chen, 2003, N. laterospina Chen & Liang, 2005, N. lii Hou & Chen, 2010, N. medogensis Hu & Ding, 2014, N. biprocessa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020 and N. russa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020.

Currently the tribe Tropidocephalini includes 201 species in 37 genera, of which 113 species in 23 genera occur in China (Ren et al. 2014; Bourgoin 2023). Of the Chinese genera of the tribe, Belocera Muir, 1913 and Neobelocera, have the antennae flattened, sagittate or subsagittate. A comparison of Neobelocera and Belocera shows that species in these genera look rather similar, but the two genera can be easily distinguished by the following characters: first segment of antennae with the apex unequally bifurcate, ventral apical angle much longer than dorsal apical angle, with median longitudinal carina (in Belocera, apex of first segment of antennae equally bifurcate, ventral apical angle subequal to dorsal apical angle, without median longitudinal carina); postclypeus in profile, apical part of median carina roundly bent (in Belocera, postclypeus in profile, apical part of median carina and lateral carinae sharply bent); rostrum very short, only reaching mesotrochanters (rostrum surpassing mesotrochanters in Belocera); and the surface of the forewing often has blackish-brown markings, in the dark portion veins bear white or yellowish-white spots (in Belocera, forewing often with a fuscous central longitudinal fascia, costal area light yellowish white).

Herein, two new species of Neobelocera, N. furcata sp. nov. and N. parvula sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, China. A key for identifying the species is provided and a map showing the geographic distribution of the species is also given.

Material and methods

The morphological terminology follows Yang and Yang (1986). Dry male specimens were used for the description and illustration. External morphology was observed under a stereoscopic microscope and characters were measured with an ocular micrometer. Color pictures for the adult habitus were obtained using the KEYENCE VHX-6000 system. The genital segments of the examined specimens were macerated in 10% KOH and drawn from preparations in glycerin jelly using a Leica MZ 12.5 stereo microscope. Illustrations were scanned with a Canon CanoScan LiDE 200 and imported into Adobe Photoshop 6.0 for labeling and plate composition.

The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).

Taxonomy

Neobelocera Ding & Yang, 1986

Figs 1–6, 7–16, 17–22, 23–31

Neobelocera Ding & Yang, in Ding et al. 1986: 420; Chen and Liang 2005: 374; Ding 2006: 196; Hou and Chen 2010: 40; Li et al. 2020: 3.

Type species

Neobelocera asymmetrica Ding & Yang, 1986.

Diagnosis

Neobelocera can be distinguished from other related genera of Tropidocephalini by the following characters: antennae with first segment subsagittate, markedly flattened, a longitudinal carina down middle, the ventral apical angle longer than dorsal apical angle (Figs 5, 8, 21, 24); when postclypeus viewed in profile, apical part of median carina roundly bent (Figs 4, 20); rostrum very short, only reaching mesotrochanters (Ding et al. 1986; Chen 2003; Chen and Liang 2005; Hou and Chen 2010; Hu and Ding 2014; Li et al. 2020).

Figures 1–6. 

Neobelocera furcata sp. nov. 1 male adult, dorsal view 2 same, lateral view 3 head and thorax, dorsal view 4 same, lateral view 5 face 6 forewing. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (1–6).

Host plant

Bamboo.

Distribution

Oriental region (China).

Key to species (males) of Neobelocera Ding & Yang, 1986 (revised from Li et al. 2020)

1 Forewings yellowish white, hyaline, with a small dark-brown markings on furcation of ScP (Hu and Ding 2014: fig. 10) N. medogensis Hu & Ding, 2014
– Forewings with blackish-brown markings, with veins with white spots or white short stripes at intervals (Figs 6, 22) 2
2 Frons with pale transverse band below level of lower margin of eyes (Figs 5, 21) 3
– Frons without transverse band (Chen and Liang 2005: fig. 10) 8
3 Ventral margin of pygofer with medioventral process (Figs 12, 25) 4
– Ventral margin of pygofer concave medially, without process 7
4 Anal segment (Fig. 27) with a long ventral process medially N. parvula sp. nov.
– Anal segment (Fig. 9) without process 5
5 Genital styles with apex forked (Figs 13, 14) N. furcata sp. nov.
– Genital styles with apex not forked 6
6 Frons with some short, yellowish-white transverse stripes subapically; genae with 2 or 3 light brown spots (Li et al. 2020: fig. 3E); pygofer with medioventral processes short, median one slightly longer than lateral ones (Li et al. 2020: fig. 4D) N. russa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020
– Frons without yellowish-white transverse stripe subapically; genae without light brown spot (Chen 2003: fig. 3); medioventral processes of pygofer with median one short, lateral ones very slender and long (Chen 2003: fig. 4) N. lanpingensis Chen, 2003
7 Phallus with basal half broad, compressed, apical half slender, tubular, acute at apex, with process at basal ⅓ and node subapically; phyllobase with long straight spinous process basally and three processes apically (Li et al. 2020: fig. 2G) N. biprocessa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020
– Phallus slender, tubular, rounded at apex, without process and node; phyllobase slender, without processes (Ding et al. 1986: figs 6–4) N. asymmetrica Ding & Yang, 1986
8 Median carina of vertex, pronotum, mesonotum and frons white bordered, dark brown to blackish brown (Chen and Liang 2005: figs 9, 10) 9
– Not as above, forewings at basal part and hind margin of apical part with blackish-brown markings (Hou and Chen 2010: fig. 19); ventral margin of pygofer concave medially, lateral side of which each with a short process (Hou and Chen 2010: fig. 24) N. lii Hou & Chen, 2010
9 Pygofer with ventral margin concave medially, on lateral side each with a long, slender process (Chen and Liang 2005: fig. 12); genital styles slender and long, with a spine-like process subapically (Chen and Liang 2005: figs 15, 16) N. laterospina Chen, 2003
– Pygofer with ventral margin without any process (Qin and Yuan 1998: fig. 1D) 10
10 Genital styles long, parallel and slightly sinuate, with inner apical angle acute, without processes (Ding 2006: fig. 100C) N. zhejiangensis (Zhu, 1988)
– Genital styles rather robust, apex acute, with branch lateral process terminating with 3–5 spinose processes (Qin and Yuan 1998: fig. 1F–G) N. hanyinensis Qin & Yuan, 1998

Neobelocera furcata sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/319D0F23-29CB-499D-B03E-D216DC93BA42
Figs 1–6, 7–16

Type materials

Holotype ♂, China: Guizhou, Wengan County (26°985'N, 107°646'E), on bamboo, 5 Aug. 2020, S.S. Lv leg.; paratypes, 1♂, 1♀, same data as holotype.

Etymology

The species epithet is derived from the Latin word ‘furcata’, referring to the genital styles forked at the apex. It is a feminine in gender.

Measurements

Body length including forewing: male 3.8–3.9 mm (N = 2), female 4.0 mm (N = 1).

Diagnosis

Forewings (Fig. 6) with blackish-brown markings, of which veins with white spots or white short stripes at intervals. Frons (Fig. 5) with pale transverse band below level of lower margin of eyes. Ventral margin of pygofer (Fig. 12) with 3 medioventral processes, lateral ones short, tapering, median one forked at apex, with 4 processes on each side and the middle two much smaller. Anal segment (Fig. 9) without process. Genital styles (Figs 13, 14) with apex forked, outer angle about twice as long as inner angle.

Figures 7–16. 

Neobelocera furcata sp. nov. 7 head and thorax, dorsal view 8 face 9 male genitalia, posterior view 10 same, lateral view 11 anal segment, lateral view 12 pygofer, posterior view 13 genital style, posterior view 14 same, lateral view 15 aedeagus, lateral view 16 female genitalia, posterior view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (16); 0.2 mm (7–10, 12); 0.1 mm (11, 13–15).

Description

Coloration. General coloration yellowish brown to dark brown (Figs 1–6). Vertex, pronotum, mesonotum (Fig. 3) dirty yellowish brown, with apex of scutellum yellowish white. Frons, genae and clypeus (Fig. 5) yellowish brown to dark brown, except broad transversal stripe below level of lower margin of eyes and narrow stripe on apex of frons yellowish white, near apex of median carina of frons and inner margin of lateral carinae of genae with several short transversal stripes yellowish white. Eyes and ocelli (Figs 4, 5) reddish brown. Antennae (Figs 3–5) yellowish brown to dark brown, except lateral margins of first segment and apex of second segment yellowish white. Legs (Fig. 5) yellowish white, with dark brown maculations. Forewing (Fig. 6) almost hyaline, along MP vein to apex with dark-brown markings, veins dark brown, with white spots at intervals. Wings hyaline, with veins dark brown. Abdomen yellowish brown to dark brown.

Head and thorax. Head including eyes slightly narrower than pronotum, in profile obtusely rounded into frons (Figs 3, 4). Vertex (Figs 3, 7) broad transversely, wider at base than long medially about 2.36: 1, width at apex narrower than at base about 1: 1.84, anterior margin produced medially, Y-shaped carina distinct. Frons (Figs 5, 8) in mid line longer than wide, at widest part about 1.93: 1, widest above level of lower margin of eyes, median carina forked at extreme base. Postclypeus (Figs 5, 8) wider at base than frons at apex. Antennae (Figs 5, 8) reaching median part of postclypeus, basal segment shorter at midline than second segment about 1: 1.35, second segment long oval, somewhat compressed, longer than wide about 2.28: 1. Pronotum (Figs 3, 7) tricarinate, with anterior margin truncate, posterior margin incised strongly, lateral carinae running near anterolateral margin, then curving inward and reaching hind margin. Mesonotum (Figs 3, 7) tricarinate, longer in midline than vertex and pronotum together about 2.16: 1, median carina reaching end of scutellum. Forewing (Fig. 6) elongate, much longer than abdomen, longer in mid line than wide at widest part about 3.47: 1, predominately clear with distinctive white markings, wing apex acutely rounded; Sc, RA and RP unbranched; MP branched near wing apex, CuA 3-branched; junction of PCu + AA near mid length of clavus; fork of MP+CuA at near 2/3 length of clavus; fork RA+SC and RP near claval apex.

Male genitalia. Anal segment (Fig. 9) small, ring-like, without process. Pygofer (Figs 9, 10, 12) in profile much longer ventrally than dorsally, in posterior view with opening longer than wide, ventral margin with 3 medioventral processes, lateral ones short, tapering, median one forked at apex, with 4 processes on each side and the middle two much smaller. Genital styles (Figs 13, 14) moderately long, forked at apex, outer angle about twice as long as inner angle. Aedeagus (Fig. 15) with phyllobase, phallus tubular, long, expanded at base, bent ventrad medially, broad and forked at apex, curved sharply to the left apically. Phyllobase slender, tubular, arising from base of aedeagus, running dorsad, then curving caudad, after median part, turned left then ventrad, tapering apically.

Female genitalia. Female pygofer (Fig. 16) with gonocoxae broad and large, basal angle sharply acute. Ovipositor distinctly shorter than pygofer. Gonangulum broad and large, apex round with medial margin concave, connected at base to gonapophyses and gonocoxae.

Host plant

Bambusoideae.

Distribution

China (Guizhou).

Remarks

This new species is similar to N. russa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following features: (1) forewing (Fig. 6) along MP vein to apex with dark-brown markings [forewing with apical part from transverse veins to apex with dark-brown markings in N. russa (Li et al. 2020: fig. 3F)]; (2) medioventral processes of pygofer (Fig. 12) with median one forked at apex, with 4 processes on each side and the middle two much smaller [medioventral processes with median one not forked at apex, without process on each side in N. russa pygofer (Li et al. 2020: fig. 4D)]; and (3) apex of phallus (Fig. 15) with two processes [apex of phallus with four processes in N. russa (Li et al. 2020: fig. 4G)].

Neobelocera parvula sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/721F64BE-8FE0-4551-AC5F-88AF17A6CF9E
Figs 17–22, 23–31

Type material

Holotype : ♂, China: Yunnan, Jinghong County (21°586'N, 100°686'E), 19 Apr. 2020; H.X. Li leg.; paratypes, 8♂♂, 5♀♀, same data as holotype.

Etymology

The species epithet is derived from the Latin word ‘parvula’, referring to the small body. It is a feminine in gender.

Measurements

Body length including forewing: male 2.9–3.1 mm (N = 8), female 2.9–3.3 mm (N = 5).

Diagnosis

Forewings (Fig. 22) with blackish-brown markings, of which veins with white spots or white short stripes at intervals. Frons (Fig. 21) with pale transverse band below level of lower margin of eyes. Ventral margin of pygofer (Fig. 25) with medioventral process, three branched medially, right branch much longer than the other two, sinuate, median branch nearly equal to left branch, left branch with a small process near apex. Anal segment (Fig. 27) with a long ventral process medially, bent ventrad medially.

Figures 17–22. 

Neobelocera parvula sp. nov. 17 male adult, dorsal view 18 same, lateral view 19 head and thorax, dorsal view 20 same, lateral view 21 face 22 forewing. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (16, 17, 21); 0.3 mm (18–20).

Description

Coloration. General coloration yellowish white to dark brown (Figs 17–22). Vertex (Fig. 19) yellowish white. Frons (Fig. 21) with basal half yellowish brown to brown, apical half yellowish white, with two triangular markings at apex. Genae (Fig. 21) dark brown, except longitudinal stripes below level of lower margin of ocelli yellowish white. Clypeus (Fig. 21) yellowish brown, except longitudinal stripes near lateral margin dark brown. Eyes (Figs 19–21) yellowish white to dark brown, ocelli (Fig. 20) reddish brown. Antennae (Figs 19–21) yellow to dark brown. Pronotum (Fig. 19) yellowish white to dark brown, median carina yellowish white. Mesonotum (Fig. 19) yellowish brown to dark brown, apex of scutellum yellowish white. Legs (Figs 17, 18) yellowish white, with dark brown maculations. Forewing (Fig. 22) light yellowish white, basal part near costal margin with large infuscate markings, and apical part from transverse veins to apex with dark-brown markings, veins with white spots at intervals. Wings hyaline with veins dark brown. Abdomen yellowish brown to dark brown.

Head and thorax. Head including eyes slightly narrower than pronotum, in profile obtusely rounding into frons (Figs 19, 20). Vertex (Figs 19, 23) broad transversely, wider at base than long medially about 2.72: 1, width at apex narrower than at base about 1: 1.81, anterior margin produced medially, Y-shaped carina distinct. Frons (Figs 21, 24) in mid line longer than wide at widest part about 1.68: 1, widest above level of lower margin of eyes, median carina forked at extreme base. Postclypeus (Figs 21, 24) wider at base than frons at apex. Antennae (Figs 21, 24) reaching median part of postclypeus, basal segment shorter at midline than second segment about 1: 1.38, second segment long oval, somewhat compressed, longer than wide about 2.30: 1. Pronotum (Figs 19, 23) tricarinate, with anterior margin truncate, posterior margin incised strongly, lateral carinae running near anterolateral margin and reaching hind margin. Mesonotum (Figs 19, 23) tricarinate, longer in mid line than vertex and pronotum together about 2.03: 1, median carina reaching end of scutellum. Forewing (Fig. 22) broad and elongate, much longer than abdomen, longer in mid line than wide at widest part about 2.81: 1, predominately clear with distinctive white markings, wing apex acutely rounded; Sc, RA and RP unbranched; MP branched near wing apex, CuA 3-branched; junction of PCu + AA near midlength of clavus; fork of MP+CuA at near 2/3 length of clavus; fork RA+SC and RP near claval apex.

Figures 23–31. 

Neobelocera parvula sp. nov. 23 head and thorax, dorsal view 24 face 25 male genitalia, posterior view 26 same, lateral view 27 anal segment, dorsal view 28 genital style, posterior view 29 same, lateral view 30 aedeagus, lateral view 31 female genitalia, posterior view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (31); 0.2 mm (23–27, 30); 0.1 mm (28, 29).

Male genitalia. Anal segment (Figs 25–27) ring-like, ventral margin with a long process medially, bent ventrad medially. Pygofer (Figs 25, 26) in profile much longer ventrally than dorsally, in posterior view with opening longer than wide, ventral margin with medioventral process, three branched medially, right branch much longer than other two, sinuate, median branch nearly equal to left branch, left branch with a small process near apex. Genital styles (Figs 28, 29) stout, short, bent near middle, tapering apically. Aedeagus (Fig. 30) with phyllobase, phallus tubular, long, forked at apex, phyllobase slender, tubular, arising from base of aedeagus, two branched, longer branch bent ventrally near apex, shorter branch straight.

Female genitalia. Female pygofer (Fig. 31) with gonocoxae narrower and long, basal angle sharply acute. Ovipositor slightly longer than pygofer. Gonangulum broad and large, apex round with medial margin concave, connected at base to gonapophyses and gonocoxae.

Host plant

Bambusoideae.

Distribution

China (Yunnan).

Remarks

This new species is similar to N. biprocessa Li, Yang & Chen, 2020, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following features: (1) anal segment of male (Figs 25–27) with a long ventral process medially [anal segment without process in N. biprocessa (Li et al. 2020: fig. 2D)]; (2) pygofer (Fig. 25) with medioventral process [pygofer without medioventral process in N. biprocessa (Li et al. 2020: fig. 2D)]; and (3) genital styles (Figs 28, 29) stout and short [genital styles slender and long in N. biprocessa (Li et al. 2020: fig. 2H)].

Discussion

Based on published data and our field surveys, the eleven described species within the genus Neobelocera are distributed in southern China (Fig. 32) in the Palaearctic region (Shaanxi) and the Oriental region (Guizhou, Yunnan, Hainan, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Tibet). It seems that the genus is an endemic group of China. The complex and variable geomorphological environment and rich biological resources of the distribution area create a variety of habitat types, which are likely reasons for the rich species diversity of Neobelocera. We anticipate that additional species of Neobelocera will be found. Therefore, further investigation should be considered to fill the faunistic gaps, as it is obvious that many more taxa remain to be discovered and described.

Figure 32. 

Distribution records of species of the genus Neobelocera.

Members of Neobelocera were found feeding exclusively on some native bamboos, with many specimens collected from the beginning of May to the end of September in Guizhou Province. So far, there are no collection records in other plants, which may suggest that the host of Neobelocera species are very limited.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to collector for collecting specimens.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32060343); the Science and Technology Support Program of Guizhou Province (No. 20201Y129); the Program of Excellent Innovation Talents, Guizhou Province (No. 20154021); and the Research Project of Guizhou Light Industrial Technical College (No. 22QYBS06).

Author contributions

All authors have contributed equally.

Author ORCIDs

Hong-Xing Li https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6427-8875

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

References

  • Chen XS, Liang AP (2005) A taxonomic study of the genus Neobelocera (Homoptera, Fulgoroidae, Delphacidae). Acta Entomologica Sinica 30: 374–378.
  • Ding JH (2006) Fauna Sinica Insecta. Vol. 45. Homoptera Delphacidae. Science Press, Beijing, [xx +] 775 pp.
  • Ding JH, Yang LF, Hu CL (1986) Descriptions of new genera and species of Delphacidae attacking bamboo from Yunnan Province, China. Acta Entomologica Sinica 29(4): 415–423. https://doi.org/10.16380/j.kcxb.1986.04.016
  • Hou XH, Chen XS (2010) Review of the Oriental bamboo delphacid genus Neobelocera Ding & Yang (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) with the description of one new species. Zootaxa 2387(1): 39–50. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2387.1.3
  • Hu CL, Ding JH (2014) A new species of Neobelocera Ding & Yang (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Delphacinae: Tropidocephalini) from China, with a key to species of the genus. Zootaxa 3784(2): 196–199. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3784.2.9
  • Li HX, Yang L, Chen XS (2020) Two new species of the bamboo-feeding planthopper genus Neobelocera Ding & Yang, 1986 from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Delphacidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 641(641): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2020.641
  • Qing DZ, Yuan F (1998) A new species of the genus Neobelocera (Homoptera: Delpha­cidae). Entomotaxonomia 20(3): 168–170.
  • Ren FJ, Zheng LF, Huang YX, Qin DZ (2014) Lauriana Ren & Qin, a new genus of the tribe Tropidocephalini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) from China. Zootaxa 3784: 84–88. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3784.1.6
  • Yang JT, Yang CT (1986) Delphacidae of Taiwan (I) Asiracinae and the tribe Tropidocephalini (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Taiwan Museum Special Publication 6: 64–76.
login to comment