Species recognition in <i>Cicadulina</i> leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vectors of pathogens of Gramineae

Abstract

Abstract Leafhoppers of the genus Cicadulina transmit pathogens to Gramineae (including cereals and sugarcane) in Africa, India and South America. Previous taxonomic and applied studies on Cicadulina are reviewed, and an identification key to the 22 recognizable species is given; each species is discussed and illustrated. Two species, C. dabrowskii sp. n. and C. immaculata sp. n., are described; C. anomala Van Rensburg, C. kalaharica Van Rensburg, C. inopia Van Rensburg, C. ungula Van Rensburg, C. bispinosa Van Rensburg, C. opaca Van Rensburg, C. waltersi Van Rensburg, C. scabra Van Rensburg and C. letabae Van Rensburg are established as junior synonyms of C. anestae Van Rensburg, C. bipunctella (Matsumura) as a junior synonym of C. bipunctata (Melichar) and C. triangula Ruppel as a junior synonym of C. storeyi China.