Z. P. Metcalf and S. G. Bruner.
Cuban Fulgorina. The Families Tropiduchidæ and Acanaloniidæ.
Psyche 37:395-424, 1930.

Full text (searchable PDF, 2820K)
Durable link: http://psyche.entclub.org/37/37-395.html

The following unprocessed text is extracted from the PDF file, and is likely to be both incomplete and full of errors. Please consult the PDF file for the complete article.

1930 I Cuban Tropiduchidas and Acanaloniidse 395 CUBAN FULGORINA
1 THE FAMILIES TROPIDUCHIDAE AND ACANALONIIDAE BY Z. P. METCALF, North Carolina State College, and
S. C. BRUNER, Estacion Experimental Agronomics, Republics de Cuba
The present series of papers will deal with the Fulgorids of Cuba. It is our purpose not only to list the species which have been recorded previously from Cuba with critical bibliographic and taxonomic notes, but also to describe cer- tain species which are apparently new. Special emphasis is placed on the male genitalia, as it is believed that these furnish the most reliable, specific characters. The descrip-
tions will include only characters which may be readily observed by external examination. The internal genitalia of nearly all the species are illustrated by detailed drawings which are believed to be of more value than any attempt to describe these elaborate structures.
The specimens on which the present paper is based were collected largely by S. C. Bruner, J. Acuna and C. H. Ballou.
The family Tropiduchidse was monographed in 1914 by Melichar.
He listed only one species, Tangia sponsa Guerin, from Cuba, although Uhler, 1910a: 510, described Cypho- ceratops furcatus from Cuba and Haiti. However, four years previously Pedro Valdes, 1910 : 442, had recorded four species belonging to this family from specimens pre- served in the Gundlach Museum, Havana, although the systematic position of all of these cannot be determined either from the names
employed, which are badly mis-




================================================================================

396 Psyche [December
spelled, or from the word or two of description giving only the length and color of the insects. Osborn, in 1926c: 354, listed Pelitropis rotulata Van Duzee among the Fulgoridse taken by him in Cuba, a species described from Florida and known also from Mississippi and North Carolina. Myers
in a recent paper, 1928a :23, deals with two species of this family, Neurotmeta sponsa Guerin and Remosa spinolse Guerin. A number of other genera and species have been recorded from the adjacent West Indian Islands, but so far as we know no other species heretofore assigned to this family have been recorded from Cuba. The present paper lists eight species, four species apparently being new. The synonymy and distribution of the other species are dis- cussed.
Neurotmeta sponsa Guerin
This species was described by Guerin Meneville in 1856a: 180. This description was copied in Guerin Mene- ville, 1857a: 429.
There is a brief popular description of
this insect by Uhler, 1884a: 231.
He lists it from Cuba,
San Domingo and Florida, and assigns it to the genus Tangia Stal. The next reference to the species is by Van Duzee, 1907a: 35. But the insects which he collected in Jamaica and which we have examined are not the same as the Cuban material; "Elytra with a broad costal membrane crossed by numerous oblique veinlets." Melichar, 1914f : 100- 101, redescribed the genus Tangia Stal with Monopsis viri- dis as the type, and then redescribes the species sponsa, which he assigns to Uhler. Van Duzee, 1917b: 739, assigns this species to the genus Neurotmeta. Metcalf, 1923a : 154, sep- arated Neurotmeta sponsa from Monopsis tabida Spinola on the basis of the presence of costal cross-veins in the former and their absence in the latter. This is not a good character, however, as it is doubtful if the few irregular lines in the costal area can be interpreted as costal cross- veins. As has been pointed out by Melichar it would be better to separate these two genera on the basis of the branching of medius, the fork occurring near the base of the wing in Monopsis and near the middle of the wing in Neurotmeta. Otherwise these two genera are quite similar.



================================================================================

19303 Cuban Tropiduchidae and Acanaloniids~ 397 In Newrotmeta the costal vein is separated from the costal margin and connected apically with the costal margin by a series of short, indistinct transverse veinlets. In this connection it might not be amiss to make a state- ment in regard to the status of the genus Tangio, Shl. . This genus was described by Stal, 1859a : 317-818, for three species Monopsis viridis Walker, and Tangia Jcraatzi and Tangio, schaumi n. spp., viridis Walker differing in having no transverse veins in the costal area while these veins are present in the other two species. Melichar, failing to recog- nize that Guerin in describing sponsa and spin.o?as had indi- cated the new genus Newrotmeta,, made viridis the type of Tan& and erected a new genus Tangiopsis, including Tangio, kraatzi and T. schavimi with kraut& as the type. If viridis Walker is congeneric with sponsa, as the descrip- tions would seem to indicate, then Tunoh Stal would be a synonym of Newrotmekc Guerin and Tmgiopsis Melichar, with Tangia kraatzi Stal as type, is a valid genus. The name Ta-ngiopsis, however, is preoccupied by Tamgiopsis Uhler, lWIa : 512, haplotype T. tetrastiehus Uhler, which is described as a Dictyopharid with a median ocellus. An examination of the type, through the kindness of Dr. E. D. Ball, reveals that this genus belongs to the Tropiduchidas, falling into Melichar's tribe Tambinini near the genus AmapaLu Melichar. The median ocellus is not present, being represented by a small spot of glue or similar sub- stance which simulates an ocellus. We propose the name Tangella type Tangia kraatsi Stal, 1859a: 318, to replace Tangiopsis Melichar, and would suggest that Van Duzee's Tangia sponsa belongs to this genus, although the vertex is very much prolonged, median length 1.75 times the width between the eyes.
Neurotmeta sponsa may be recognized by its distinct venation and by the short, broad, spatulate vertex. Fresh specimens are light green, but fade to dull tawny yellow. The last ventral segment of the female is short with the median length one-third the length of the lateral borders. The male genitalia may be described as follows: The eighth ventral segment deeply incised on the median line, elevated in a U-shaped ridge almost to the base of the seg- merit. The ninth segment short, ring-like, the posterior



================================================================================

398 Psyche
[ December
border when viewed laterally is strongly sloping cephalad. '
Genital plates large, extending caudad beyond the apex of the tenth segment. The ventral margins straight, contigu- ous, the apical border triangularly produced, the dorsal margin strongly curved with a distinct notch. The tenth
segment spatulate, deeply notched, caudad ; the anal notch deep ; the anal spine small.
This species is common and widely distributed in Cuba. Specimens are at hand from Jarahueca, Oriente, July 14-18, 1927, S. C. B., on Coffea arabica; Nagua, Oriente, July 7, 1922, S. C. B. and C. H. B.; Santiago de las Vegas, June 12, 1920, Havana, S. C. B.; S. Nicholas, Oriente, July 20-21, 1927, S. C. B., taken at light; Camaguey, August 10-20, 1924, J. A., and Manzanillo, Oriente, July 31, 1922, S. C. B. and C. H. B.
Neurotmeta breviceps n. sp.
Head across eyes narrower than prothorax. Vertex, flat, somewhat more than twice as broad as median length, con- siderably produced in front of eyes, anterior margin ob- tusely angled, slightly rounded, posterior margin deeply incised to beyond anterior margin of eyes, lateral margins straight, parallel, median carina strong, lateral and ante- rior margin.^ strongly but obtusely carinate. Pronotum, as long or slightly longer than median length of vertex, flattened above, strongly tricarinate as is also mesonotum. Venation, transverse line of veins to apex of clavus nearly straight, at right angle to longitudinal axis of elytra, costal membrane narrow, without distinct transverse veinlets. Color, testaceous, but probably green in life. Length, 7 mm., approximately.
Type, from Havana, Cuba, Dr. J. Gundlach, collector; in Gundlach Museum, Havana, No. 289, labeled "Monopsis tabida Spin."
The junior writer is indebted to Prof. Joaquin Folchs and Lieutenant Gonzalez of the Institute de la Habana, for the privilege of examining this and several other specimens in the Gundlach Museum referred to in this paper.



================================================================================

1 9 3 0 1
Cuban Tropiduchidz and A canaloniidse,
399
In general facies this species resembles Neurotrneta sponsa Guer., except for much shorter vertex and broader form, aside from smaller size.
It was listed by Valdks,
1910a, under the name given on the label in the Gundlach Museum, but it is quite distinct from Monopsis tabida, which does not appear to have been taken since the original description was published. Dozier, 1928a, says that Monop- sis tabida was described from Cuban material, but he is evidently mistaken, as Spinola only mentions the "United States." On what authority the species has been listed by Van Duzee and others from Florida, we are unable to learn. Pelitropis rotulata Van Duzee
This species is rather common in Cuba. Specimens are at hand from Omaja, Oriente, July 24, 1927, S. C. B.; Sto. Thomas, P. de Zapata; Sto. Clara, May 5-9, 1927, S. C. B. and J. A.; Santiago de las Vegas and Cojimar, Habana, S. C. B.; Sierra Rangel, P. del Rio, August 29, 1927, alti- tude 1500 feet; Camaguey, December 29, 1921, J. A.; and Nagua, Oriente, July 7, 1922, S. C. B. and C. H. B. Nymphs are at hand from Nagua and from Santiago de las Vegas.
They resemble the adult in a general way, being bright green in color with the carinse tending toward bright orange. Vertex, distinctly spatulate, about as in the adult with the posterior border deeply incised and with a distinct median carina. Frons differs in having two strongly elevated median carinse and a pair of intermediate carinse which originate on the clypeal border about mid- way between the median carina and the lateral border and diverge upward, uniting with the carina at the apical border in front of the compound eyes.
Female genitalia, the last ventral segment of the female, is as long as the penultimate and about two-thirds as wide. Male genitalia, eighth segment very short; deeply and roundly emarginate. Ninth segment ring-like, the caudal margins sinuate. Genital plates broadly triangular in out- line, ventral margins slightly curved and contiguous. Tenth segment elongate, exceeding the genital plates. The caudal margins reflexed over the apex of the genital plates. Anal spines small, conical.




================================================================================

400 Psyche [December
The name Pelptiopsus mitratus (Uhler MS) employed by Pedro Valdes (1910a: 443) for a specimen, No. 777, in the Gundlach Museum, Havana, is a synonym.
Colgorma Kirk
This name was proposed by Kirkaldy, 1904b : 279, to take the place of Temora Kirkaldy, 1901a:6, which was to take the place of Rudia Stal, 1866a :187, nec Costa 1861, Hymen- optera. Unfortunately Tmora Kirkaldy, 1901, was pre- occupied by Temora Baird, 1860, a genus of Crustacea. Since Stal, 1866c: 392, made Achilus dilutus Stal, 1859b: 271, the type of the genus Rudia, it is the type of the genus Colgorma. Melichar, 1914f: 79, uses Temora Kirk. with Achilus dzlutus Stal as the type, and places it in the tribe Tambiniini and Colgorma Kirk with type C. fowleriana Kirk and places it in the tribe Paricanini. The tribe Tam- biniini is distinguished from the tribe Paricanini by both Melichar and Muir because the genera in the former tribe have the "cross line distad of the middle of the wing," whereas in the latter tribe the "cross-vein is basad of the middle of the wing." Assuming that this is correct, and assuming further that Rudia diluta as figured by Fowler, 1904b, PI. 11, Fig. 10, is correct and really represents diluta, as Fowler states that he compared his specimens with the type, Colgorma Kirk type Achikis dilutus Stal would fall in the tribe Tambiniim and would include Temora Kirkaldy as used by Melichar. This genus would include, therefore, the three species C. diluta Stal, C. proxima Fowl and C. verticalis Fowl. In regard to Achilus hicinctus Spinola, 1839a: 321, and Riidia bicincta Fowler, 1904b : 105, Kirkaldy, 1907b : 249, believed that these were distinct spe- cies, and he renamed the latter Colgorma fowleriana. Careful examination of the two descriptions and figures would lead us to believe that these are the same or closely related species. They differ in several respects from typical Colgorma, the most important being that the first branch of cubitus is not branched before the transverse line as it is in Colgorrna. We would suggest, therefore, a new genus Achilorma, type AchiI1u.s bicinctw Spinola, and in- cluding the Colgorma f owleriana Kirk.




================================================================================

1 93 0 I Cuban Tropiduchidas and Acanaloniidas 401 Our
Cuban material includes two new species of the genus Colgorma.
Colgorma montana n. sp.
This species is close to C. diluta Stal as figured by Fowler; the head is narrower, the vertex longer and more pronounced, the frons narrower, meeting the vertex at an acute angle not broadly rounded as in diluta. Vertex, elongate, about one and one-half times as broad as the median length ; anterior margin broadly curved with a strongly elevated carina; lateral margins nearly parallel, carinas distinct; posterior margin curved having the ap- pearance of being triangularly incised because there is a triangular elevated area, the lateral margins of which ex- tend from the posterior angles almost to the anterior mar- gin of the vertex.
Frons, about twice as long as its great- est width, appearing longer because it is distinctly nar- rowed between the eyes; central area almost flat, distinctly separated from the lateral margins by furrows which are characteristic of the genus; dorsal margin distinctly sep- arated from the vertex by a transverse carina, the margin itself is straight and horizontal; lateral margins with an evident carina, nearly parallel to the lower margin of the eye, then gradually diverging for an equal distance, then converging to the clypeal margin which is narrower than the dorsal margin ; clypeal margin broadly concave. Cly-
peus, elongate, triangular, obtuse, about one-third as long as the frons, shallowly inserted in the frons; central area strongly elevated, continuing the central area of the frons. Labium, short, the basal segment about one-half as long as the distal segment which is about one-half as long as the median segment. Genas, distinctly separated from the frons and vertex. Antennae, short; the basal segment, collar-like ; distal segment capitate ; flagellum elongate, about five times as long as the distal segment. Ocelli, dis- tinct, placed below the ventral margin of the eyes. Com- pound eyes, sub-globular, ventral sinus indistinct. Pro- notum, short, broad, median carina distinct; lateral carinse strongly diverging, following the contour of the compound eyes. Fore legs, coxa, short, about as long as the diameter



================================================================================

402 Psyche [December
of the eye; femora, slender, elongate, about twice as long as the coxse, prismatic, the margins with short, slender but distinct sub-erect setae; fore tibiae stout, about as long as the femora, prismatic, the margins lined with hairs as in the femora. Mesonotum, large, quadrangular; the median and lateral carinse very distinct, the lateral carinse converg- ing anteriorly meeting on the median line. Tegulae rather large ; broadly elliptic with a horizontal carina. Fore wings, broad, the costal margin nearly straight, the apical border broadly rounded; costal vein broad, with fine tubercles on the apical half, these tubercles continuing around the apical margin ; transverse line distinct but irregular ; sub-costal- radial vein branching just anterior to the transverse line; medius united with radius for about one-half the length of the basal cell; cubitus one branched about two-thirds the distance between the basal cell and the transverse line; anal veins united for about two-thirds their length. Middle legs about as the fore legs but slightly longer. Hind femora elongate, somewhat capitate ; hind tibiae prismatic, longer than the femora with distinct sub-erect setae on the mar- gins, three evident spines on the lateral margins before the apex, two groups of spines at the apex, the lateral group of two elongate spines, and a median group with four shorter spines.
Male genitalia, eighth ventral segment short, collar-like ; roundly emarginate posteriorly. Ninth ventral segment about three times as long as the eighth, the lateral margins sinuately curved. Tenth segment elongate spatulate, the apex broadly sinuate. Anal style short. Genital plates quadrate, the ventral margin curved, continuous along the median line.
Color, fresh specimens are pale olive green, more or less tinged with tawny, especially on the venter and legs. Wing veins in both fore and hind wing bright olive green. Eyes reddish brown. Antennae greenish olive. Claws and tibia1 and tarsal spines black.
Size, length of apex to abdomen 4.5 mm. Length of the tip of the wing 5.1 mm. Width across the tegulae 1.6 mm. Types, Holotype, male, Sierra Msestra, July 10-20, '22, 1100-1300 meters, C. H. B. and S. C. B. Allotype, female, Sierra Msestra, July 10-20, '22, 1100-1300 meters, C. H. B.



================================================================================

193 0 1 Cuban Tropiduchidse and Acanaloniids~ 403 and S. C. B.
Paratypes, three males, one female, Sierra Msestra, July 10-20, '22, 1100-1300 meters, C. H. B. and S. C. B., Pico Turquino, July 20, '22, S. C. B. and C. H. B. 5500 ft.
Colgorma campestris n. sp.
This species differs chiefly from Colgorma montuna in the following points : the vertex is much shorter and broader; the wings are narrower and more elongate with the costal cell narrower and more elongate.
Vertex, broad and short, three times as long as broad; anterior margin broadly rounded; posterior margin tri- angularly incised ; lateral margins parallel. Frons, broad ; lateral margins nearly parallel, not narrowed between the eyes, slightly wider at the level of the antennae; the median area broadly elevated. Clypeus, elongate diamond-shaped, triangularly inserted into frons; the median elevated area not conspicuous. Antennae, with basal segment very short; apical segment capitate. Pronotum, short and broad ; with median carina indistinct ; lateral carinse conspicuous ; the lateral impressed points deep. Mesonotum slightly broader than long, about as 13 is to 10; median and intermediate carinse distinct, intermediate carinse converging anteriorly nearly parallel posteriorly. Fore wings, narrow, elongate, the costal cell narrow elongate.
Holotype male, Jarahueca, July 14-18, '27, on Coffea arabica. S. C. B.
Allotype female, Jarahueca, July 14-18, '27, on Coffea arabica. S. C. B.
Paratypes, one male, Jarahueca, July 14-1 8, '27, on Co ff eu arabica. S. C. B; one male, Barrio Caobilla, Camaguey, June 23-25, '27, J. A.; two females, Jarahueca, July 14-18, '27, on Coffea arabica. S. C. B; and one female, Nagua, Oriente, July 7, '22, S. C. B. and C. H. B. Cyphoceratops furcata Uhler
This species was described by Uhler 1901a: 510 from Cuba and Port au Prince. We have seen one of the type series from Port au Prince through the kindness of Dr. E.



================================================================================

404 Psyche [December
D. Ball. It agrees in all essential details with our series from Barrio Caobilla, Camaguey, June 23-25, '27, J. A. This genus was described by Uhler as belonging to the fam- ily Cixiidas. It belongs, however, to the family Tropiduchidas and the tribe Tambiniini. In Melichar's key it falls next to his genus Amapala with two species from South and Cen- tral America. It differs principally from this genus in cephalic and thoracic characters. The wing venation is apparently quite similar. The essential characters of this genus are well illustrated by the figures and need not be repeated. The general color is greenish testaceous, bright green on the frons between the carinse and on the lateral fields of the pronotum. The carinse of the frons, the lateral carinse of the clypeus and a stripe on the lateral fields of the pronotum are bright orange red. The lateral carinse of the vertex are bordered with black. There is also a broad ir- regular cloud of the same color on the gense above the com- pound eyes, on the anterior margin of the mesonotum and on the bases of the wings, also on the lateral fields of the clypeus. Two irregular rings on the fore and middle femora and one at the apices of the fore and middle tibia and an irregular cloud on the hind femora are dark brown shading to black. The mesopleura have a conspicuous round black spot.
Male genitalia, the ninth segment is short and broad. The genital plates are about three times as long as the ninth segment with a distinct triangular tooth occupying the basal third, followed by a distinct notch apically. Tenth segment elongate, slender, deeply inserted into the ninth segment. Anal spine reaching about half way to the apex of the tenth segment.
There is also a specimen of this insect in the Gundlach Museum, Havana, labeled "Steptocratus, No. 328." Gund- lach records this (MS notebook) as taken at "Rangel" (Sierra Range1 Mountains, Pinar del Rio) . Remosa spinolae Guerin
Myers 1928a: 23 places Fulqora spinolas Guerin in the genus Remosa Distant after comparing specimens with the type of the genus. Melichar 1914f: 11 describes the genus



================================================================================

1 9 3 0 I
Cuban Tropiduchidse and A canaloniidse.
405
as having the costal membrane broad with many cross- veins. Distant 1906n : 355 in the original description makes no mention of costal cross-veins, neither does Myers. The specimens we consider spinolas have no costal cross-veins. The structural characters are indicated by the figures. This insect was listed by Pedro Vald6s as Dictyophora spinolse based on the specimen in the Gundlach Museum (No. 102) which is probably also the origin of the name employed by Osborn 1926c : 354.
The color of fresh specimens is bright olive green with the eyes orange brown, faded specimens are more or less testaceous.
Male genitalia, seventh segment elongate, the median notch strongly elevated, forming a triangular tooth. Eighth segment short, almost concealed by the seventh segment. The median length of the ninth segment about twice as long as the median length of the seventh segment, broadly emarginate posteriorly. Genital plates elongate, nearly three times as long as the median length of the ninth seg- ment ; contiguous ventrally ; dorsal margin with a distinct triangular tooth, basally. Tenth segment spatulate ; the