Varisphaerius hoaiae, Constant & Pham, 2025

Constant, Jérôme & Pham, Hong Thai, 2025, Issid planthoppers from Bach Ma and Phong Dien in Central Vietnam: (II) Tribe Hemisphaeriini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 994 (1), pp. 1-76 : 64-71

Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:47A50950-1C3B-4145-AA08-DC6E7AD85DAD

Figs 1 , 2A , 3A , 4 , 36–39

Diagnosis

Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov. is the only species in the genus Varisphaerius gen. nov. The characters of the male terminalia are probably relevant diagnostic features to recognize the species, e.g., the oboval, apically roundly emarginate anal tube in dorsal view, the shape of the gonostyli, including the capitulum in lateral view, and the size and shape (curvature) of the lateroventral processes of the aedeagus.

Differential diagnosis

The most similar species belong to the genera Gergithus Stål, 1870 and Ishiharanus Hori, 1969 , which can be separated by the characters given for the genus Varisphaerius gen. nov.

Etymology

The species epithet is a patronym dedicated to Hoài Thị Thu Nguyễn (VNMN) who collected several specimens of the type series of this new species.

Material examined

Holotype VIETNAM • ♂ (dissected); Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Bach Ma National Park , pheasant trail; 16°13′38″ N, 107°51′20″ E; 500–600 m a.s.l.; 10–20 May 2023; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; I.G.: 34.640; VNMN.

Paratypes VIETNAM • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; RBINS • 2 ♂♂; Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Bach Ma National Park , summit; 16°11′18″ N, 107°50′56″ E; 1300–1400 m a.s.l.; 11–21 May 2023; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; I.G.: 34.640; RBINS • 1 ♂; Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Bach Ma National Park ; 16°11′44″ N, 107°50′44″ E; 1200–1300 m a.s.l.; 22 May 2023; roadside; J. Constant and L. Semeraro leg.; I.G.: 34.640; RBINS • 6 ♀♀; [Thừa Thiên-Huế Province], Bach Ma National Park , [pheasant trail]; 16°12′ N, 107°52′ E; daytime collection; 12–17 Jul. 2011; J. Constant and J. Bresseel leg.; I.G.: 31.933; RBINS • 4 ♀♀; Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Bach Ma National Park , pheasant trail; [16°13′38″ N, 107°51′20″ E]; 29 May 2023; by net; N.T.T. Hoai leg.; VNMN • 1 ♀; Thừa Thiên-Huế Province; Bach Ma National Park , pheasant trail; 16°13′41.18″ N, 107°51′16.82″ E; 344 m a.s.l.; 15 Sep. 2024; N.T.T.Hoai leg.; VNMN .

Description

Note: Two very distinct colour forms were found in this species; they are described below and are referred to as (1) ‘spotted form’ ( Figs 36 , 39A–D ) and (2) ‘reticulated form’ ( Figs 37 , 39E–H ).

MEASUREMENTS AND RATIOS. LT: ♂ (n = 5): 5.2 mm (5.0–5.4), ♀ (n = 5): 6.2 mm (5.8–6.6); LT/BB = 0.85–1.07; LTg/BTg = 1.38; LW/BW = 2.52; BV/LV = 1.36; LF/BF = 1.40.

HEAD ( Figs 36A–E , 37A–E , 39 ). In both forms, vertex broader than long in midline, with median weak carina, brown, sometimes washed with yellow in middle area, with all margins weakly carinate; anterior margin slightly convex, posterior one concave and lateral ones subparallel; disc excavate. Side of head brown with whitish marking from insertion of antennae to genoclypeal suture. Frons elongate and smooth, chestnut brown, with distinct but narrow whitish band along frontoclypeal suture not reaching side angles. Clypeus subtriangular, medially keeled, chestnut to blackish brown, with whitish band along frontoclypeal suture, sometimes interrupted in middle. Labium yellow brown, with last segment longer than broad, and shorter than penultimate one. Scape short, ring-shaped, brown; pedicel bulbous, reddish brown.

THORAX ( Figs 36A–E , 37A–E , 39 ). In both forms, pronotum very short, about one fourth length of mesonotum in midline; anterior and posterior margins carinate; disc concave, with extremely narrow lateral fields behind eyes; dark brown with posterior portion of disc and a large ventral portion of paranotal lobes chestnut brown. Mesonotum subtriangular, smooth, with carina along anterior margin; in (1) ‘spotted form’, golden yellow with tip of scutellum and lateral angles chestnut to blackish brown; in (2) ‘reticulated form’, golden yellow with tip of scutellum, line at lateral angles and two more or less developed bands on disc, not reaching anterior margin and tapering towards posterior, chestnut to blackish brown. Tegulae dark brown.

TEGMINA ( Figs 36A–E , 37A–E , 39 ). Strongly convex; about 1.1–1.3 times as broad as long when taken together in dorsal view; slightly concave at basicostal angle; slightly rugulose with dense reticulum of weakly raised veins and veinlets; main veins weakly distinct. (1) ‘Spotted form’: chestnut to blackish brown with four golden yellow markings: wide subbasal transverse one prolongating yellow marking of mesonotum laterally (the whole resulting in a continuous yellow band), two large round spots in a row at about midlength, lateral one not reaching costal margin and dorsal one not reaching subclaval margin (when both tegmina combined, forming a row of four evenly spaced spots), a rather wide transverse, subapical marking along posterior margin, tapering towards lateral. (2) ‘Reticulated form’, golden yellow background with network of veins and cross-veinlets lined with black-brown, black-brown colour lining thicker (sometimes filling cell) in areas corresponding to dark brown zones of spotted form.

HIND WINGS ( Figs 36F , 37F ). Yellowish, infuscate towards apex, unilobed, with veins slightly darker than cells; elongate but rudimentary and clearly shorter than tegmina. Venation reduced, reticulate distally, main longitudinal veins distinct basally (C, ScP+R, MP, CuA). Costal margin nearly straight, cubital sinuate, distal margin rounded.

LEGS ( Figs 36A–E , 37A–E , 39 ). Elongate and slender; femora wider and shorter than corresponding tibiae. Coxae largely brown, trochanters yellow with brown markings. Pro- and mesofemora yellow more or less marked with brown at base and apex; protibiae yellow with black line along externoventral carina; mesotibiae similarly coloured but with black line less developed, sometimes obsolete; pro- and mesotarsi yellowish brown; metafemora brown, turning yellowish towards base and apex; metatibiae yellowish brown, paler towards apex, with black tipped spines; metatarsi yellowish. Metatibiae with 2 lateral spines on distal half and 6 apical spines. Metatibiotarsal formula: (2) 6 / 12 / 2.

ABDOMEN. Yellow brown, darker on sides.

MALE TERMINALIA. Pygofer (Py – Fig. 38A–D ) 2.2 times as high as long at midheight in lateral view; in lateral view, dorsal margin nearly horizontal, weakly incurved, followed posteriorly by distinct oblique slope leading to distinct rounded angle protruding posterad at half height; ventral half slightly excavate; subsquarish in caudal view. Gonostyli(G – Fig. 38A–D ) convex, in lateral view with ventral margin weakly sinuate, posterior margin rounded, projecting caudad, anterodorsal margin oblique, slightly rounded basally, then upcurved to neck of capitulum. Capitulum (ca) in lateral view with rather elongate, wide, twisted neck, directed dorsocephalad, and with posterior margin strongly sinuate, projecting posterad in a rounded slightly acute angle; in caudal view, upper angle rounded and directed mesodorsad; small tooth at anterodorsal angle followed posterad by carina on external side, strongly recurved cephalad and ending in a tooth projecting ventrocephalad in lateral view; in caudal view, deep, round emargination under carina. Anal tube (An – Fig. 38A–D ) elongate; in dorsal view rather wide, about 1.30 times as long in midline as wide, regularly widening from base to basal ⅖, then sinuate, and broadly rounded in distal portion, with apical margin deeply excavate, posterior angles apically rounded; in lateral view, anal tube moderately curved posteroventrad. Aedeagus strongly curved posterodorsally and twisted, rather simple, asymmetrical ( Fig. 38E–P ); lateroventral processes of aedeagus (lvp) rod-like, very elongate, basally recurved cephalad, then coiled around basal portion of periandrium to dorsum; ventral lobe of periandrium (vl) laminate, well developed and elongate but shorter than aedeagus, gently shifted to the right and with rounded apex; dorsal lobe of periandrium (dl) shorter than aedeagus; lateral lobes of periandrium (ll) laminate, rounded (“ear-shaped”) and partly covering lateroventral processes of aedeagus; aedeagus largely membranous with pair of elongate, strong, pointed processes slightly hooked apically. Connective (co) well developed and curved, with tectiductus (te) well developed, conical with moderate crista, anteroventral apodemes and wide anterior foramen.

Biology

Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov. was collected in May, July and in September on lower vegetation and bushes ( Fig. 39 ), in moist evergreen tropical mountain forest, at altitudes between about 500 and 1400 m a.s.l. in Bach Ma National Park, at the “summit” area ( Figs 2A (5), 4B), “roadside” ( Figs 2A (4), 4A) and “pheasant trail” ( Figs 2A (2), 3A) collecting sites. The specimens were found sitting on leaves and stems, and one was found on a tree trunk. Despite intensive collecting, no specimen could be found at lower altitude, as well as during the 2017 collecting trip in April, although the same spot as in 2011 and 2023 was explored, at pheasant trail.

Distribution

Vietnam: Thừa Thiên-Huế Province (Bach Ma National Park) ( Fig. 1 ).

Figures

Fig. 1. Map of the sampled localities in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Vietnam.

Fig. 2. Bach Ma National Park, habitats. A. Detailed map of the sampling areas (1 = ‘Yes Hue Eco’; 2 = ‘pheasant trail’; 3 = ‘low altitude’; 4 = ‘roadside’; 5 = ‘summit’; 6 = ‘near ranger station’. B. Typical habitat at ‘Yes Hue Eco’ sampling area, 17 May 2023.

Fig. 3. Bach Ma National Park, habitats. A. Typical habitat at ‘pheasant trail’ sampling area, 20 May 2023. B. Typical habitat at ‘low altitude’ sampling area, 15 May 2023.

Fig. 4. Bach Ma National Park, habitats. A. Typical habitat at ‘roadside’ sampling area, 21 May 2023. B. Typical habitat at ‘summit’ sampling area, 11 May 2023.

Fig. 36. Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov., dissected paratype, ♂ (RBINS) spotted morph. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Habitus, lateral view. D. Habitus, perpendicular view of frons. E. Habitus, anterolateral view. F. Left hind leg, ventral view. G. Metatarsus and apex of metatibia, ventral view. H. Right hind wing.

Fig. 37. Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov., dissected paratype, ♂ (RBINS) reticulated morph. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Habitus, lateral view. D. Habitus, perpendicular view of frons. E. Habitus, anterolateral view. F. Right hind wing.

Fig. 38. Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov., dissected holotype, ♂ (VNMN), terminalia. A–D. Pygofer, anal tube and gonostyli. A. Left lateral view. B. Posterolateral view. C. Caudal view. D. Dorsal view. E–P. Aedeagus. E. Dorsal view. F. Anterolateral view. G. Ventral view. H. Caudal view. I. Left lateral view. J. Right lateral view. K. Left posterolateral view. L. Left laterodorsal view. M. Right laterodorsal view. N. Right posterolateral view.O. Left lateroventral view.P. Right lateroventral view.Abbreviations: see Material and methods.

Fig. 39. Varisphaerius hoaiae sp. nov., live specimens in Bach Ma National Park, pheasant trail. A. 17 Jul. 2011. B. 12 May 2023. C. 21 May 2023. D–F. 15 May 2023. G. 21 May 2023. H. 20 May 2023.