THE IDENTITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF CICADULINA CHINA (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)

Abstract

The discovery of a second population of the genus Cicadulina has prompted a reexamination of the status of the members of this genus in Australia. The species designation C. bimaculata (Evans, 1940) is resurrected for the Queensland population and the Northern Territory population is considered to be C. bipunctella (Matsumura, 1908). The synonymies, C. bipunctella C. bimaculata and C. bipunctella = Limotettix capitata Kirkaldy, 1907 are rejected. Evidence based on morphological studies and interpreeding trials is presented to support these redesignations. The possible origins and vector status of the two species recognised are discussed.

Species recognition in Cicadulina leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vectors of pathogens of Gramineae

“…This species (under the names of bipunctella and zeae) was incorrectly synonymized with Limotettix capitatus by Evans (1966), as noted by Kitching et al (1973). Ammar (1975) described the eggs and immatures of C. bipunctata and noted two colour forms in the third-to fifth-instar nymphs.…”

“…bimaculata was incorrectly synonymized with C. zeae by Oman (1949: 14) and with Limotettix capitatus Kirkaldy by Evans (1966: 253), as shown by Kitching et al (1973). (Melichar) (Figs 70-77, 142) Gnathodus bipunctatus Melichar, 1904: 47-48 China, Zakhvatkin 1946: 157, figs 26-27;Ruppel, 1965: 406-408, figs 2a-e, 4c.…”

“…C. bimaculata has 2-5 rather than 1-3 subapical spines on the pygophore process (Figs 81-83) and 1-5 rather than 0-3 dorsal aedeagal processes (Figs 78-80). In addition to these slight differences, the two species are apparently allopatric and genetically distinct in Australia (Kitching et al, 1973).…”

A new genus, Mayawa, for the reception of Limotettix capitatus Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) and descriptions of five new species of Mayawa

“…Evans (1966) transferred the species from Limotettix J. Sahlberg (tribe Athysanini) to the Macrostelini, placing it in the genus Cicadulina China because of its superficial similarity to the Australian species of the genus, Cicadulina bimaculata (Evans) and Cicadulina bipunctata (Melichar) which he synonymised with it. Kitching et al (1973) , in a review of the Australian species of Cicadulina , rejected Evans’s (1966) synonymy and transferred the species back to Limotettix , despite their doubts that it had an affinity with Limotettix striola (Fallèn), the type species of Limotettix . Vilbaste (1976) maintained Evans’s (1966) placement and synonymy, although he recognised that Cicadulina capitata differed by suggesting that Cicadulina bipunctella (Matsumura) and C. capitata should be subspecies of C. bipunctata .…”

“…Vilbaste (1976) maintained Evans’s (1966) placement and synonymy, although he recognised that Cicadulina capitata differed by suggesting that Cicadulina bipunctella (Matsumura) and C. capitata should be subspecies of C. bipunctata . Evans (1977) followed Kitching et al (1973) in their determination of two species of Cicadulina in Australia and noted that both were different from capitata , whose generic position ‘must remain uncertain’. Day and Fletcher (1994) listed the species in Limotettix following Kitching et al (1973) , although stating that the true generic affinities of the species probably lay elsewhere.…”