Species Mnemosyne alexandri Löcker, 2006

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Regional Maps

• Mnemosyne alexandri Löcker, B., Fletcher, M.J. & Gurr, G.M. 2006. First record of the planthopper tribe Mnemosynini in Australia with the description of two new species (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae). Russian Entomological Journal 15(3): 287-294 [290].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM QMT123826 ♂ (coll: G.B. Monteith, 15.xii.1994-26.i.1995, intercept trap, vine scrub), Koy Property at Brigooda, Queensland [26º16'S 151º25'E].

 

Introduction

A dull brown species reasonably widely distributed in Queensland. The name honours Alexandr Emeljanov who has contributed greatly to our knowledge of world Cixiidae and other Auchenorrhyncha.

 

Distribution

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: phloem feeder.

Extra Ecological Information

Nymph might be phloem feeder or fungivore.

 

Diagnosis

Colour. Body mid to dark brown, carinae paler; legs light to dark brown; forewing hyaline, colourless with only a few dark brown marks, veins light to dark brown, tubercles mid or dark brown, pterostigma light to dark brown; abdominal sternites dark brown. Morphology. Forewing bearing medium sized setae (length about 1/4 of eye diameter), remainder of body covered with very short setae (length 1/6 of eye diameter or less). Head. Vertex (median length) 0.8 x as long as wide; subapical transverse carina forking from lateral margin at about 3/4 of total length of vertex. Frons 0.8 x as long as wide; maximum width 1.7–1.9 x apical width; median carina evanescent (near frontoclypeal suture absent), not elevated, paler coloured than disc, apically (near or at apical transverse carina) forking into two branches; lateral carinae convex (evenly rounded), strongly extending laterally, concealing entire pedicellus; median ocellus present but indistinct, directly adjacent to frontoclypeal suture. Thorax. Forewing 3.2–3.4 x longer than wide; r-m1 slightly basad or slightly distad of fork MA+MP; costa with 15-30 tubercles; costal margin near base barely thickened. Hind leg: tibia with or without small gap in row of apical teeth. Male genitalia. Aedeagus: phallotheca with large bifurcate spine arising right lateral from base of phallotheca and large flattened spine arising ventral from base of phallotheca; flagellum about midlength strongly bent and with serrate processes, without spines. Body length. ♂ 6.5–7.2 mm, ♀ 6.9–7.1 mm. (Löcker et.al. 2006)

 

ID Keys

Löcker et.al. (2006: 290)

 

Diagnosis References

Löcker, B., Fletcher, M.J. & Gurr, G.M. 2006. First record of the planthopper tribe Mnemosynini in Australia with the description of two new species (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae). Russian Entomological Journal 15(3): 287-294 [290]