Morphological alteration in response to endogeic habitat and ant association in two new planthopper species from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae)

Abstract

Two new endogeic species of the delphacid genus Notuchus are described from New Caledonia, Notuchus kaori sp. nov. and Notuchus ninguae sp. nov. Both species are soil‐dwelling and display the highest degree of troglomorphy observed in any subterranean Fulgoromorpha species. Notuchus kaori appears to be associated with ants of the genus Paratrechina (Formicidae: Formicinae). Information on their ecology and distribution is provided, and morphological characters which may be indicative of adaptation to the subterranean environment and/or the degree of integration into the host society are discussed.