Research Article |
Corresponding author: Stuart H. McKamey ( stuart.mckamey@usda.gov ) Academic editor: Mick Webb
© 2020 Stuart H. McKamey.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication.
Citation:
McKamey SH (2020) Redescription of Pseudophera heveli Kramer (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) with the first description of the female. ZooKeys 976: 101-107. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.976.54582
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Pseudophera heveli Kramer is redescribed from Monteverde, Costa Rica. The female is described for the first time. Fifteen images of the species are provided, including genitalia.
Auchenorrhyncha, Neotropical, new species, Proconiini, sharpshooter
Sharpshooters are members of the cosmopolitan Cicadellinae, the third largest leafhopper subfamily, with over 2,500 valid species among 357 genera. Sixty-three of these genera, and 468 species, belong to the New World tribe Proconiini (
Species of the genus Pseudophera are among the largest leafhoppers, ranging in length from 16 to 20.5 mm.
In providing distribution data, quotation marks separate labels and a vertical line separates lines on a label. All examined specimens are deposited in the United States National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (
Terminology for general morphology was based on
A Leica MZ12 stereomicroscope was used to examine structures. The body length was measured using a digital micrometer. A manual 5 mm micrometer was used to determine ratios between other, shorter distances.
The abdomen was detached, macerated in a warmed 10% KOH solution for 24 hours at room temperature, bathed in water, then acetic acid to stop the reaction. After dissection, structures were stored in a glass microvial containing glycerin and pinned beneath the specimen.
Images were taken with a Canon 5Dsr camera with an adjustable 65mm lens. Photos were taken using Capture One Pro version 10.1.2, 64 Bit, Build 10.1.2.23 imaging software, aided by CamLift version 2.9.7.1. The specimen was lit using two adjustable Dynalite MH2050 RoadMax flash heads, each attached to a Manfrotto 244 arm. The light was diffused using a simple, lampshade-style cone of translucent paper between the specimen and light sources. After individual “slices” were photographed, they were compiled into a single, composite image using Zerene Stacker – USDA SI-SEL Lab Bk imaging system, version 1.04, Build T201706041920. Stacked images were enhanced and edited in Adobe Photoshop CSS Extended version 12.0. The scale bar (in Fig.
Pronotum with dorsal processes, short and directed dorsally.
Measurements (mm). Total length (from anterior of head to tip of forewings in repose) female 18.6, male 18.4; crown length female 2.9, male 2.8; transocular distance female 4.3, male 4.2; interocular distance female and male 3.0; distance between compound eye and mesal line female and male 1.5; distance between ocellus and mesal line female 0.7, male 0.6; pronotum maximum width female 4.0, male 3.9; pronotum maximum length female and male 3.2; forewing length female 12.1, male 11.8; length of metathoracic femur female 3.0, male 2.6; length of metathoracic tibia female 5.3, male 5.7.
Head (Figs
Pygofer (Fig.
Sternite VII (Fig.
Terminalia of Pseudophera heveli 6 pygofer, anal segments, and subgenital plates, lateral view 7 subgenital plates, ventral view 8 male connective, dorsal view 9–11 male aedeagus in lateral, dorsal, and posterior views, respectively 12 detail of apex of female valvula II (posterior row of dentae digitally removed) 13 entire valvula II.
1 male “Costa Rica: | Puntarenas Prov. | Monteverde | 12-21 Apr 1984 | S.McKamey, Coll.” (
Still known only from Monteverde, Costa Rica, inside and just outside the Reserve. Biology and ecology unknown.
Three species described since
I thank Alyssa Seemann for taking and processing photographs and Chris Dietrich for comments on an earlier draft. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply endorsement by the USDA. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.