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Research Article
Three new species of the leafhopper genus Mitjaevia Dworakowska from Karst areas in Southwest China (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae)
expand article infoGuimei Luo‡§, Jinqiu Wang‡§, Yuehua Song§‡
‡ Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
§ State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang, China

Corresponding author: Yuehua Song ( songyuehua@163.com )

Academic editor: J. Adilson Pinedo-Escatel
© 2022 Guimei Luo, Jinqiu Wang, Yuehua Song.
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: Luo G, Wang J, Song Y (2022) Three new species of the leafhopper genus Mitjaevia Dworakowska from Karst areas in Southwest China (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae). ZooKeys 1125: 159-169. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1125.82258
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5394C396-88F2-4112-8BCD-980A9F4F6C81
Open Access

Abstract

Three new species of the leafhopper genus Mitjaevia Dworakowska 1970, M. bijiensis sp. nov., M. solitaria sp. nov., and M. salaxia sp. nov., are described from the Karst region of Southwest China. Specimens studied were taken by sweep net. Morphological descriptions, depictions of habitus and illustrations of male terminalia are provided. A key and checklist to known species occurring in China are given.

Keywords

Homoptera, morphology, new taxa, taxonomy

Introduction

The genus Mitjaevia was designated by Dworakowska in 1970 belonging to the tribe Erythroneurini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Some members of the genus are known as important agricultural pests in the world. Mitjaevia Dworakowska share similar features with Diomma Motschulsky and Kusala Dworakowska such as the vertex and pronotum, usually with dark spots or stripes; the style with apex slender and curved; and connective with two strong lateral arms but can be distinguished by the combination of the following characters: (1) pygofer lobe with numerous microsetae or microtrichia near caudal area and basal lower angle without clusters of long macrosetae; (2) abdominal apodemes small, not extending beyond hind margin of 3rd sternite; (3) forewing semitransparent, light brown or brown, often decorated with white or milky patches.

Later, Song et al. (2011) and Dmitriev (2020) supplemented features of dorsum, eyes, legs, abdomen, pygofer and pygofer dorsal appendage of Mitjaevia and also noted that forewings possess four apical cells, subgenital plates contains 2–4 basal macrochaetae and the aedeagus has a distal short apical processes, toothlike or absent. The species of this genus are mainly distributed in the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Until now, 19 species have been described, of which 11 species are in China (see Checklist). In the present paper, three new species of Mitjaevia from Guizhou Province are proposed to the Chinese fauna. A key to recognize all Chinese species is provided.

Materials and methods

Specimens for this study were collected on roadside weeds in Karst (Guizhou Province, China) by sweep net. The morphological terms used in this study followed Dietrich (2005) and Song and Li (2013). A KEYENCE VHX-5000 digital microscope was used to take pictures of male habitus. The Olympus BX53 microscope was used to dissect the male genital and the Olympus SZX16 microscope was used for viewing and drawing the male genital. Body length was measured from the apex of vertex to the tip of forewing. All specimens examined were deposited in The School of Karst Science collection, at Guizhou Normal University (GZNU).

Taxonomy

Mitjaevia Dworakowska

Mitjaevia Dworakowska, 1970: 763.

Type species

Erythroneura amseli Dlabola, 1961.

Type locality

Afghanistan.

Diagnosis

Yellow with brown markings; vertex usually with a pair of dark brown spots; pronotum with brown markings or completely dark; scutellum with dark basal triangles; forewing hyaline with several dark patches; abdomen ventrally and subgenital plates dark. Head distinctly narrower than pronotum.

Male genitalia

Pygofer caudally rounded or angulate, weakly sclerotized caudally; dorsal pygofer appendage movably articulated, not extended beyond pygofer apex. Style distally slender with apex foot-like; preapical lobe large. Subgenital plates extended beyond pygofer, darkly pigmented, gradually curved dorsad, with three or more macrosetae of differing length present in middle. Aedeagus with shaft tubular, straight or curved dorsad in lateral view, with or without basal processes; preatrium developed. Connective Y- or M-shaped, with short stem and arms, central lobe well developed.

Distribution

Palaearctic and Oriental regions.

Checklist of species of Mitjaevia from China

M. aurantiaca Mitjaev, 1969: 1044 (pl. 3, figs 1, 2); Song & Li, 2014: 111, (pl. 2.71, figs D-F; I, J, M, S).

M. bifurcata Luo, Song & Song, 2021: 3–6, fig. 2.

M. diana (Distant, 1918: 100, Typhlocyba); Dworakowska, 1970: 765 (lectotype designated by inference); Dworakowska, 1980: 179, figs 252–262; Song & Li, 2014: 112 (pl. 2.72, figs D-F; I, J, M).

M. dworakowskae Chen, Song & Webb, 2020: 34–39, figs 28–41.

M. korolevskayae Dworakowska, 1979: 44–45, figs 349–358; Song & Li, 2014: 113 (pl. 2.73, figs D-F; I, J, M).

M. nanaoensis Chiang & Knight, 1990: 223, fig. 18.

M. protuberanta Song, Li & Xiong, 2011: 27–29, figs 1–10.

M. bijiensis sp. nov.

M. ramosa Luo, Song & Song, 2021: 6–8, fig. 5.

M. salixia sp. nov.

M. shibingensis Chen, Song & Webb, 2020: 34, fig. 15–27.

M. solitaria sp. nov.

M. tappana Chiang & Knight, 1990: 225, fig. 19.

M. wangwushana Song, Li & Xiong, 2011: 29–30, figs 11–19.

Key to species of Mitjaevia from China (males)

1 Aedeagus with single or paired processes 2
– Aedeagus without processes 10
2 Aedeagal shaft with paired processes 3
– Aedeagal shaft with single process (Fig. 25) M. solitaria sp. nov.
3 Aedeagus with apical, subapical or basal processes, but not dorsally 4
– Aedeagus only with dorsal processes M. bifurcata
4 Aedeagal shaft with apical process 5
– Aedeagal shaft without apical process 7
5 Aedeagal shaft with unbifurcated apical process (Fig. 17) M. bijiensis sp. nov.
– Aedeagal shaft with bifurcated apical process 6
6 Aedeagal shaft with pair of asymmetric bifurcated short processes at apex M. ramosa
– Aedeagal shaft with pair of symmetrical bifurcated short processes at apex M. diana
7 Aedeagal shaft with paired processes subapically 8
– Aedeagal shaft without paired processes subapically 9
8 Aedeagal shaft with pair of small, triangle-like processes subapically M. protuberanta
– Aedeagal shaft with pair of long, curved processes subapically M. wangwushana
9 Aedeagal shaft with finger-like basal processes ventrally M. aurantiaca
– Aedeagal shaft with lamellate-like basal processes ventrally (Fig. 33) M. salaxia sp. nov.
10 Preatrium of aedeagus long in lateral view 11
– Preatrium of aedeagus short in lateral view M. tappana
11 Aedeagal shaft cylindrical, evenly tapered from base to apex 12
– Aedeagal shaft laterally compressed, abruptly tapered from subapically to apex 13
12 Aedeagus dorsal apodeme visible in lateral view M. korolevskayae
– Aedeagus dorsal apodeme absent or vestigial in lateral view M. nanaoensis
13 Aedeagal shaft with rounded apex in lateral view; preatrium expanded in ventral view M. shibingensis
– Aedeagal shaft with acute apex in lateral view; preatrium narrow in ventral view M. dworakowskae

Descriptions

Mitjaevia bijiensis sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/77C7830A-4369-4A7E-96C6-D099579FDC07
Figs 1–5, 16–23

Material examined

Holotype : ♂, China: Guizhou Province, Bijie, 6.VI.2021, coll. Jia Jiang and Ni Zhang. Paratypes: 1 ♀, same data as holotype.

Diagnosis

The new species can be distinguished from other species by the aedeagal shaft long with two apical processes; preatrium of aedeagus with two atrial processes. The head and pronotum yellow. Pygofer dorsal appendage tapered to apex and bent back into a hook shape. Style apex slightly expanded, underpart straight and thick. Connective with large central lobe.

Description

Head and thorax yellow marked with brown; vertex with a pair of dark brown spots (Figs 1–4). Pronotum yellow, with irregularly dark brown patch medially (Figs 1, 3). Scutellum yellow, transverse impression distinct. Face brownish yellow (Fig. 1); anteclypeus with black patches at sides basally (Fig. 4). Forewing brownish, with large milky white or whitish patches.

Abdominal apodemes long, exceeding posterior margin of 3rd sternite (Fig. 23).

Male genitalia. Pygofer lobe broad, with sparse fine setae on lateral surface (Fig. 20). Pygofer dorsal appendage slightly expanded at base, bends up and down and tapers gradually (Fig. 21). Subgenital plate with three macrosetae of different lengths medially (Fig. 19). Style long and strong; preapical lobe large (Fig. 16). Aedeagal shaft long, with pair of short bifurcate apical processes; preatrium also with two atrial processes (Figs 17, 18). Connective M-shaped, with distinct stem and central lobe (Fig. 22).

Figures 1–15. 

External morphology of Mitjaevia species 1–5 Mitjaevia bijiensis sp. nov. 1 habitus, dorsal view 2 habitus, lateral view 3 head and thorax, dorsal view 4 face 5 female thorax and abdomen, ventral view 6–10 Mitjaevia solitaria sp. nov. 6 habitus, dorsal view 7 habitus, lateral view 8 head and thorax, dorsal view 9 face 10 female thorax and abdomen ventral view 11–15 Mitjaevia salaxia sp. nov. 11 habitus, dorsal view 12 habitus, lateral view 13 head and thorax, dorsal view 14 face 15 female thorax and abdomen, ventral view.

Figures 16–23. 

Mitjaevia bijiensis sp. nov. 16 style 17 aedeagus, ventral view 18 aedeagus, lateral view 19 subgenital plate 20 male pygofer, lateral view 21 pygofer dorsal appendage, lateral view 22 connective 23 abdominal apodemes.

Body length (including wings). ♂, 2.9–3.0 mm, ♀, 2.8–2.9 mm.

Remarks

The new species is similar to Mitjaevia diana (Distant, 1918) but can be distinguished by the aedeagal shaft with two apical processes and preatrium of aedeagus with two atrial processes; the style apex slightly expanded, underpart straight and thick; the connective with large central lobe.

Etymology

The new species is named after its type locality Bijie City in China.

Mitjaevia solitaria sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/29D48CC0-BE39-4F3D-983C-53FE2CD472B3
Figs 6–10, 24–31

Material examined

Holotype : ♂, China: Guizhou Province, Bijie, 6.VI.2021, coll. Jia Jiang and Ni Zhang. Paratypes: 18 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, same data as holotype.

Diagnosis

The new species can be distinguished from other species by the aedeagal shaft with only one thick finger-like process at base. Pygofer dorsal appendage not extended beyond hind margin of pygofer. Style strong; preapical lobe obvious. Subgenital plate wide and short with one hook-like process on apex.

Description

Vertex yellowish (Fig. 6). Pronotum mostly grayish black (Figs 6, 8). Scutellum yellowish, transverse impression distinct (Fig. 6). Face brownish yellow; anteclypeus brownish except lighter base (Fig. 9). Forewing brownish, with large milky white or whitish patches.

Abdominal apodemes small, located in 3rd sternite (Fig. 31).

Figures 24–31. 

Mitjaevia solitaria sp. nov. 24 style 25 aedeagus, ventral view 26 aedeagus, lateral view 27 subgenital plate 28 male pygofer, lateral view 29 pygofer dorsal appendage, lateral view 30 connective 31 abdominal apodemes.

Male genitalia. Pygofer dorsal appendage weakly expanded at base, not extended beyond hind margin of pygofer (Fig. 29). Pygofer lobe broad, with fine setae scattered outer lateral surface (Fig. 28). Subgenital plate wide and short, with three macrosetae on lateral surface, and one hook-like process on apex (Fig. 27). Style strong; preapical lobe obvious (Fig. 24). Aedeagal shaft as long as or little shorter than that of preatrium, with one finger-like process basally; dorsal apodeme small (Figs 25, 26). Connective Y-shaped; arms and central lobe slender (Fig. 30).

Body length (including wings). ♂, 3.1–3.2 mm, ♀, 3.0–3.2 mm.

Remarks

The new species is similar to M. aurantiaca (Mitjaev, 1969), but can be distinguished by the aedeagal shaft with only one thick finger-like process at base; the style is stronger and the subgenital plate is shorter and wider.

Etymology

The new species is named from the Latin word solitarius, referring to the aedeagal shaft with only one processes at the base.

Mitjaevia salaxia sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/278419B3-C800-4929-A7AD-6B9BBBFAA056
Figs 11–15, 32–39

Material examined

Holotype : ♂, China: Guizhou Province, Bijie, 5.VI.2021, coll. Jia Jiang and Ni Zhang. Paratypes: 1 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, same data as holotype.

Diagnosis

The new species can be identified by the two pairs of abdominal apodemes and the aedeagal shaft with lamellate-like processed at base. Style apex long and slender. Subgenital plate long, expanded near caudal.

Description

Vertex pale yellow (Fig. 11). Pronotum yellowish, with symmetrical brownish black impressed patches medially (Figs 11, 13). Scutellum (Fig. 11) yellow, with basal triangles black and area under transverse impression black too. Face brownish gray; anteclypeus with central area brownish (Fig. 14). Forewing brownish, with large milky white or whitish patches.

Second abdominal apodemes and third abdominal apodemes small and short, lamellate, not exceeded 3rd sternite (Fig. 39).

Male genitalia. Pygofer dorsal appendage simple, curved upward in lateral view, hook-like apically (Fig. 37). Pygofer lobe broad, with many long fine setae on lateral surface, with a small process at caudal edge ventrally (Fig. 36). Subgenital plate long, with three macrosetae near apex (Fig. 35). Style apex long and slender; preapical lobe large (Fig. 32). Aedeagal shaft slender, with pair of long processes arising from base (Figs 33, 34). Connective Y-shaped; stem slender; arms and central lobe well developed (Fig. 38).

Body length (including wings). ♂, 3.0–3.1 mm, ♀, 2.9–3.0 mm.

Remarks

The new species is similar to M. protuberanta Song, Li & Xiong, 2011, but differs in having the “lamellate” processed arising from base of aedeagal shaft and not branched at apex; with two pairs of abdominal apodemes.

Etymology

The new species is named after its type locality Salaxi town.

Figures 32–39. 

Mitjaevia salaxia sp. nov. 32 style 33 aedeagus, ventral view 34 aedeagus, lateral view 35 subgenital plate 36 male pygofer, lateral view 37 pygofer dorsal appendage, lateral view 38 connective 39 abdominal apodemes.

Discussion

In recent years, most research on Chinese Erythroneurine leafhoppers has been intensified and focused to enrich the taxonomic knowledge of this tribe and taxonomists have paid attention to documenting taxa using efficient descriptions, high-quality drawings, and photographs. The Guizhou province is located on the eastern slope of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwestern China and has a particularly subtropical humid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, seasonal temperature variations and high vegetation coverage, which is conducive to the survival and reproduction of leafhoppers. Since establishment of this genus, 19 species of Mitjaevia have been described worldwide, and more than half of valid species were found in China. Here, a comparison revealed that three new species shared similarities with already known species but differences were found, for example, the aedeagal shaft of M. bijiensis sp. nov. and M. diana have apical processes, but M. bijiensis sp. nov. dispose processes arising from preatrium of aedeagus, while M. diana shows another processes at base of aedeagal shaft. Mitjaevia. solitaria sp. nov. and M. aurantiaca also have a single process at base of aedeagal shaft, not paired. Moreover, the subgenital plate is short and wide but in latter species it is long or thin. Mitjaevia. salaxia sp. nov. is similar to M. protuberanta but differs in having lamellate-like processes arising from the base of aedeagal shaft and not branched at apex.

Acknowledgements

We thank Mick Webb for checking and revising the manuscript. This study was partly funded by the World Top Discipline Program of Guizhou Province: Karst Ecoenvironment Sciences (No.125 2019 Qianjiao Keyan Fa), the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Foundation ([2018]1411), the Guizhou Science and Technology Support Project ([2019]2855), the Science and Technology Project of Guiyang City ([2020]7–18), the Innovation Group Project of Education Department of Guizhou Province ([2021]013) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32260120).

References

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