Heteropsylla Crawford

(Figs 29, 46, 82)

Diagnosis: Head distinctly wider than mesonotum; vertex twice as broad as long; genae somewhat swollen, usually without processes (Fig. 29) but if present, genal processes conical. Clypeus pyriform, with a pair of long setae and 2–5 short setae apically. Antennae 1.4–2.4 times as long as head width; usually segment 8 the longest, sometimes segment 3; terminal setae truncate and shorter than segment 10, one seta about half as long as the other. Forewing obovate, broadly rounded at apex, hyaline; pterostigma broad, wedge-shaped; cell cu1 long and low. Meracanthus short and broadly based; metatibia with or without genual spine and 1+(2–3)+1 apical spurs; metabasitarsus with 2 apical spurs. Male terminalia generally with bifid paramere, forming an inner and outer process (Fig. 46).

Biology and damage: Immatures of Heteropsylla cubana feed on buds and young leaves, causing leaf wilting and, in severe cases, complete defoliation and tree death (Schultze-Kraft 1994). Some species are employed as control agents of weeds such as H. spinulosa Muddiman, Hodkinson & Hollis on Mimosa diplotricha in Australia (Muddiman et al. 1992).

Host-plants: Mimosoid Fabaceae (Muddiman et al. 1992) .

Distribution: Neotropical and Neartic regions (Hodkinson 1989).— Colombia: Heteropsylla bidentata Muddiman, Hodkinson & Hollis, H. caldwelli Burckhardt, H. cubana, H. fusca Crawford, H. mimosae Crawford, H. reducta Crawford & Martorell and H. truncata Muddiman, Hodkinson & Hollis (Hodkinson 1988; Muddiman et al. 1992).

Examined material: Heteropsylla caldwelli: Magdalena: 14 (male, female), Santa Marta, Villa Culebra near Bonda, 1–11-Nov-1985, colour pan (H. G. Müller), MHNG, NHMB.— Heteropsylla cubana: Antioquia: 10 (male, female), Carepa, Tulenapa, 01-Aug-1985, on Leucaena sp. (A. Mila), CTNI 58; 6 (male, female), Medellín, 6°15’46"N, 75°34’40"W, 1479 m, Aug-1986, Leucaena leucocephala (J. Jaramillo), MEFLG 4118.— Heteropsylla reducta: Antioquia: 1 (female), Amagá, 1100 m, 18-Feb-1964 (B. Schneble), MHNG. Magdalena: 2 (male, female), Santa Marta, Villa Culebra near Bonda, 1–11-Nov-1985, colour pan (H. G. Müller), MHNG; 37 (male, female), Santa Marta, Punta de Betín, 24–26-Oct-1985, Nov-1985, Jan–May-1986, light trap, colour tray, barber trap (H. G. Müller), MHNG, NHMB; 1 (female), Parque Tayrona, Bahia Concha, ca. 10 km NE Santa Marta, 23- Apr-1985 (H. G. Müller), MHNG; 2 (male, female), Parque Tayrona, Bahia de Neuguangue, ca. 25 km NE Santa Marta, 30-Sep-1985 (H. G. Müller), MHNG; 3 (male, female), Santa Maria, 1912 (Ujhelyi), MHNG.— Heteropsylla spp.: Antioquia: 9 (male, female), Medellín, 6°15’46"N, 75°34’40"W, 1479 m, May-1979, Cassia sp. (A. Madrigal), MEFLG 3526; 10 (male, female), Medellín, Barrio La Mota, 6°12'N, 75°35'W, 1520 m, 5-Apr- 2015, Fabaceae (C. Restrepo), UNAB 1492. Santander: 1 (male), Cimitarra, Corr. Puerto Olaya, Central Termocentro ISAGEN, 110 m, 12-Jun-2005, light trap (M. Castaño & C. Rivera), CEUA 89021; 1 (female), Cimitarra, Corr. Puerto Olaya, Central Termocentro ISAGEN, 110 m, 12-Jun-2005, light trap (M. Castaño & C. Rivera), CEUA 89022. Magdalena: 1 (female), Parque Tayrona, Nenguanje, 110 m, 7-Oct-1977 (C. Kluger), IAvH-E-161406; 8 (male, female), Santa Marta, Punta de Betín, 25/ 26-Oct-1985, light trap (H. G. Müller), IAvH- E-161416; 8 (male, female), Santa Marta, Villa Culebra near Bonda, 1–11-Nov-1985, colour pan (H. G. Müller), IAvH-E-161418. Boyacá: 1 (female), Villa de Leyva, Vda. Monquira, Sitio Escuela, 05°38’N, 73°34’W, 2000 m, 09-Jun-2001 (M. Ospina & E. Torres), IAvH-E-161383; 1 (male), SFF Iguaque: Cabaña Chaina, 5°25’N, 73°27’W, 2600 m, 25-Jul-09-Aug-2001, Malaise (P. Reina), IAvH-E-161384.