Zoraidini | |
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Zoraida pterophoroides with hind wing marked | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Suborder: | Auchenorrhyncha |
Infraorder: | Fulgoromorpha |
Family: | Derbidae |
Subfamily: | Otiocerinae |
Tribe: | Zoraidini Muir, 1918 [1] |
The Zoraidini is a group (tribe) of planthoppers in the family Derbidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical parts of Africa, Asia, Australia and in parts of the western Pacific. Almost 300 species in 27 genera are recognized (as of 2024). [2] They are characterized by their long and narrow forewings and the short hind wings, usually not longer than half the length of the forewings and often even shorter. The forewings are typically around 8–10 mm long and the body is usually not more than half that length. In most species, the wings are raised when the insects are at rest, and are often spread out at an angle of about 45–90°. The head is compressed and the face is narrow in frontal view. The antennae are often long and the eyes cover about half the face. Like in other derbids, the adults suck the sap of plants while the nymphs live mainly in decaying organic matter. A few species are regarded as minor agricultural pests. [3] [1] [4] [5] [6]
Type species: Derbe sinuosa Boheman, 1838 (the type species of the genus Zoraida) [7] [8]
The species of Zoraidini are found in tropical and some sub tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia and western Pacific islands. In Africa, most species have been described from tropical parts of western and central Africa, but some also from eastern countries like Ethiopia and as far south as Mozambique and Madagascar. [9] [10] [11] In Asia, Australia and the Pacific, the distribution of species from the tribe Zoraidini ranges from India and Sri Lanka in the West to the western Pacific (Indonesia, Guam, the Philippines) as far south as Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and northern Australia. In eastern Asia, they have been also reported from subtropical regions as far north as parts of Japan and south-eastern Russia. [12] [5] Most species have been only reported from a few locations, but some have a wider distribution. For example, Proutista moesta is known from many parts of southern Asia and the western Pacific, ranging from the Seychelles, India and Sri Lanka in the West over the southern Asian mainland and Indonesia to the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, southern Japan and Guam in the East. [13] [2] [14]
The tribe Zoraidini is characterized by a combination of several features which include: [1] [4] [9] [13]
The long and narrow forewings, combined with the very short and also narrow hind wings, are the most important features of the tribe Zoraidini. The length of the hind wings is always given as not longer than half the forewing length. [4] [9] [13] In the type specimen of Zoraida sinuosa (Derbe sinuosa) the length of the hind wing is about 40% the length of the forewing. [15] However, in some genera and species, the hind wings can be much smaller, less than one fifth of the forewing length. The photograph on the left shows a specimen with such very small hind wings (indicated by an arrow). That specimen comes close to the genus Peggia. Peggia nitida (Stål, 1870), the only species described in that genus, has a hind wing length which is only about 10% of the forewing length. [16] [17] [18]
Like in other groups of the subfamily Otiocerinae, the hindwings always have a stridulation plate on the inner margin, and in the case of the Zoraidini, the stridulation area is characterized by having an outer convex margin. [19] In cases where the hindwings are extremely small, they are unlikely to have a role in the flight of the insects and probably only serve as a communication (stridulation) organ. The forewing venation in the tribe Zoraidini is characterized by an open clavus, meaning that the clavus vein does not reach the hind margin, but joins the veins of the cubitus (see illustration above). [4] [19] The media has 4 to 6 branches, one or more of which are usually forked. The forewings are 3 to 5 times longer than wide, on average 3.5 times. [9]
The main feature of the head is the narrow, compressed face (frons), typically with the ridges on the side (facial carinae) nearly or completely meeting throughout most of its length. The facial carinae very rarely extend much further in front of the eyes, unlike in some other groups of Derbidae and the profile of the head is typically flat and usually evenly rounded. The size of the eyes covers about half the length of the face and the lower margins of the eyes do not approach the clypeus like in the sister tribe Sikaianini. The antennae are often long like in the type genus Zoraida and they are not branched like in other groups of Derbidae. In some species they are broad and extremely flat. There are no cup-like processes at the base of the antennae (subantennal processes) like in many other groups of Derbidae. [9] [13] The size of the insects depends on the genus and species and can also differ between males and females. On average the forewings are between 7 and 12 mm long, in contrast to the compact body which is usually not more than half that length, from the head to the end of the abdomen. [9] [13]
In most genera, the forewings are raised when the insects are at rest and usually they are spread out at an angle of about 45–90° (see the gallery below). The species also show a large variation in colours, although they typically lack the spectacular colour patterns found in some other groups of Derbidae. [6] [20]
The host plants and the biology of the species of Zoraidini have not been well studied. Nymphs of Zoraida have been found in decaying tree trunks, where they presumably feed on fungi. [3] Several species seem to be common on coconut or other palms and in Asia Proutista moesta is regarded as harmful to sugarcane in several countries. However, that species also feeds on other plants like palms. [10] [21] Further, some species could be involved in the transmission of plant diseases to coconut palms and sugarcane. [22] [23] [24]
The species of Zoraidini are most similar to those of the tribe Sikaianini and previously, both tribes had been grouped under a separate subfamily, the Zoraidinae. The main distinguishing feature is the shape and size of the eyes. In the Sikaianini, the lower margins of the eyes reach the base of the clypeus. [1] [19]
In the tribe Zoraidini, 27 genera and almost 300 species have been described (as of 2024). The genus Zoraida is by far the largest genus, with more than 100 species, followed by the genera Diostrombus and Pamendanga. [2] All three genera are found in Africa as well as in Asia. [9] [13]
Selected genera of Zoraidini: in the following, genera with only 1 or 2 species are not listed
The family Derbidae is a large and diverse group of planthoppers, widely distributed in the tropics and also found in subtropical and temperate regions. It includes more than 150 genera and more than 1500 species. The adults suck the sap of plants while the nymphs live mainly in decaying organic matter, for example under the bark of dead tree trunks, feeding on fungi. In some groups of species the general structure of the insects is largely uniform, whereas in others like in the subfamily Otiocerinae various forms can be found. For example, the shape of the head, the antennae or the wings can differ considerably among genera and species.
Nogodinidae is a family of planthoppers. They have membranous wings with delicate venation and can be confused with members of other Fulgoroid families such as the Issidae and Tropiduchidae. Some authors treat it as a subfamily of the Issidae.
Otiocerinae is a subfamily of planthoppers in the family Derbidae with more than 100 genera and more than 1000 species. The species are widely distributed, especially in the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Like in other Derbidae, the adults suck the sap of plants while the nymphs live mainly in decaying organic matter, for example under the bark of dead tree trunks, feeding on fungi.
Proutista moesta is a common species of planthopper from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini. It is found in tropical parts of Asia from India to southern parts of China, some islands in the western Pacific, as well as in the Indian Ocean. There is also a record from eastern Africa, a possible recent introduction. P. moesta can be common on crops like oil palms, coconut palms, sugarcane and several cereals, where it sucks the sap from the plants. It is often regarded as a pest of these crops, a vector of phytoplasma diseases and a biosecurity risk in countries outside its distribution range. Males of P. moesta are smaller than females when measured from the tip of the head to the end of the forewings. The forewings alone have a length of around 6.1 mm for males or around 6.6 mm for females. The colour is predominantly black, but the legs, antennae, facial ridges and the rostrum are yellowish to light orange. The ridges on the mesonotum and the clypeus are whitish to light yellow and the body has scattered white dots. The black forewings have some clear patches, mainly along the costal margin and in the distal half between the hind margin and the media vein. When at rest, the insect raises its wings above the body and spreads them out at an angle of about 60°.
Tambinia is a genus of planthoppers (Hemiptera) in the family Tropiduchidae and typical of the tribe Tambiniini ; species are found in Australia and Southeast Asia.
The Rhotanini is a group (tribe) of planthoppers in the family Derbidae. They are found mainly in countries of south-eastern Asia like Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. They are characterized by their small size, their broad forewings, the vein pattern on their wings, and a simple head structure. Around 300 species have been described. Like in other derbids, the adults suck the sap of plants while the nymphs live mainly in decaying organic matter.
Levu is a genus of small planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with more than 30 species. The species are found mainly on the islands of the western Pacific, particularly Melanesia. A few species have been also reported from eastern Australia and mainland Asia. The adult hoppers are around 4–5 mm long from head to the tip of the forewings. They lack the bright colours or conspicuous wing patters of other derbids, but a few species have red or orange markings. The wings may be carried in a roof-like (tectiform) position when the insects are at rest or they form a common plane like in house flies.
Rhotana is a large genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with more than 70 species. Most species have been reported from the rainforests of Borneo, Indonesia and New Guinea, but the distribution of the genus extends over a much wider area in southern and south-eastern Asia, as far north as southern Japan and including parts of the Pacific islands as well as Australia. The species are the largest in the tribe Rhotanini, typically between 5–6 mm from head to the tip of the wings. The forewings frequently have striking patterns and colours, some species have also marks on the hind wings.
Saccharodite is a large genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with more than 100 species. The largest number of species have been reported from Borneo, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Philippines, but the genus has a much wider distribution, ranging from Sri Lanka in the West, over southern parts of mainland Asia up to southern Japan in the North. Saccharodite is also found in other parts of the western Pacific like Micronesia, Fiji and New Caledonia, up to eastern parts of Australia, in the South as far as Tasmania. The adult hoppers are around 5 mm long from head to the tip of the forewings. They are characterized by their forewing venation. The forewings are usually glassy and bright red marks are common on the head and body, up to most parts except the wings being coloured bright red. When the insects are at rest, the wing surfaces form a common plane like in house flies.
Alara is a genus of small planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with more than 30 species. The species are found mainly in New Guinea, other parts of Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines. However, some species have been also reported from Sri Lanka, parts of mainland Asia, Taiwan and Australia. The adult hoppers are around 4 mm long from head to the end of the wings. The forewings are nearly oval in outline with 5 broad costal cells that gradually decrease in length from the base to the tip of the wings. The antennae and the rostrum are longer than in other genera of Rhotanini. The forewings are often dark brown and lack any bright colours. However, there may be red marks on the head. When the insects are at rest, the wing surfaces form a common plane like in house flies.
Rhotanella is a small genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with 8 species. The species are found in the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and southern China. The adult hoppers are between 4–6 mm long from head to the tip of the wings. They can be recognized by the shape and venation of their forewings which have a broad base and 5 very wide costal cells. Especially the first (basal) costal cell is very broad and has a width of about one quarter to one third of the width of the whole wing. The ridges on the sides of the face meet in front of the eyes. The profile of the head is also unusual for the tribe Rhotanini and has either an approximately rectangular or a somewhat triangular outline. The colour of the body is straw-coloured to light brown. The legs may be partly red or have red stripes. The forewings are brownish, but may have red marks in the costal cells. The forewings are carried in a roof-like position when the insects are at rest.
Sumangala is a genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini. The 13 species are found in southern Asia from southern India and Sri Lanka in the West over parts of mainland Asia to south-east Asian islands like Taiwan and the Philippines and including parts of Indonesia. The adult hoppers are around 5 mm long from head to the tip of the wings. They can be recognized by their forewing venation where the branch of the cubitus joins the first media branch to form the basal median cell, unlike in other genera of Rhotanini where the basal median cell is formed by a crossvein between the first media branch and the cubitus branch or by the first branch of the media splitting again close to its base and the inner sub branch joining the cubitus branch. In Sumangala, the first media branch does not split and as a consequence only 6 veins of the cubitus-media complex reach the margin at the end of the wing. The forewings of Sumangala are mainly whitish and most of them lack larger black marks.
Muiralevu is a genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Rhotanini, with 19 species. While the species of all other genera in the tribe Rhotanini are only found in southern Asia and the Pacific, the species of Muiralevu also occur in western Africa. The distribution of the type species covers several West African countries, ranging from Sierra Leone to the Central African Republic. Four other, very similar species are also found in western Africa, while 14 other species occur in south-eastern Asia. The species of Muiralevu can be recognized by their forewing venation, especially the 4 costal cells and the venation around the basal median cell. Apart from the basal median cell, there is also a characteristic trapezoid cell at the base of the first media branch. On average, the forewings are more elongated compared to most other species of Rhotanini. The adult hoppers are between 4 and 6 mm long from head to the tip of the wings. The head is evenly rounded and the ridges on the sides of the face meet in front of the eyes. The body is usually straw-coloured to light brown. The forewings are mostly whitish and powdered, but in a few species they have large black marks.
Zoraida is a large genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, with more than 100 species. These are widely distributed in the Old World tropics and in some subtropical parts of eastern Asia. In Africa, they are found mainly in the humid tropics of West Africa like Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, Nigeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Zoraida species have been also described from eastern Africa as far north as South Sudan and as far south as parts of South Africa. In Asia, the largest number of species have been described/reported from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, but species are also known as far south as northern Australia and as far north as the southern tip of far-eastern Russia. Like other species of the tribe Zoraidini, Zoraida species have long and narrow forewings and short hind wings. They can be identifies by the forewing venation and the structure of the head.
Proutista is a small genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, with 10 species, as of 2024. The type species, Proutista moesta is widely distributed and often very common, its distribution ranging from Tanzania in Africa, over some Indian Ocean islands and southern parts of western Asia to far eastern Asia and parts of the western Pacific. Seven of the remaining species are also found in tropical parts of Asia and only two additional species have been recorded from Africa, where Proutista fritillaris is the most common one. The species of Proutista are characterized by a combination of different features, mainly the shape and venation of the forewings, the size of the hind wings and the structure of the head and the antennae. On the forewings the media vein has 6 branches, none of them branching further into sub branches. The hind wings are about half as long as the forewings and have a rounded tip. The head has a narrow face (frons) and the antennae are rather short, much shorter than the face.
Diostrombus is a large genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, with more than 40 species. The large majority of species have been described from Africa and the Near East. However, a few species, including the type species, are found in southern and eastern parts of Asia. In Africa, the distribution range of Diostrombus species extends from the humid tropics of western Africa to many parts of eastern Africa, as far north as parts of Sudan and as far south as South Africa. Three species have been described from Yemen and the Iran. Like other species of the tribe Zoraidini, species of Diostrombus have long and narrow forewings and short hind wings. The main characteristic of Diostrombus is the forewing venation with the media vein having 6 branches which do not split further into sub branches. The hind wings are much shorter than half the forewing length and have a pointed tip. In profile the head is usually flat, but in some African species, the ridges on the sides of the face are extended in front of the antennae. The face is narrow. The antennae are short compared to other genera of the tribe Zoraidini, about half as long as the face.
Pamendanga is a genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, with 37 species, as of 2024. About two-thirds of the species, including the type species, are found in tropical and some subtropical parts of Asia, from Sri Lanka in the West to parts of Japan in the North-East and including the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea. The remaining species have been described from Africa, mainly from the humid tropics of West Africa, ranging from Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast in the North to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the South. Some species are also known from eastern Africa. Like other species of the tribe Zoraidini, Pamendanga species have long and narrow forewings and short hind wings. They can be recognized by the forewing venation and the shape of the head and the antennae. On the forewing, the media vein has 6 branches and the 3rd branch forks further into 2 sub branches. The head has a flat profile and a narrow face with cylindrical antennae which are elongated but not longer than the face.
Lydda is a genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, with 21 species, as of 2024. The known distribution range of its species is restricted to parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia, to the island of New Guinea and to the island of Larat in south-eastern Indonesia. The type species, Lydda elongata, is mainly found in parts of Queensland and in New Guinea. In the past, the genus was often confused with the genus Proutista and a number of Lydda species have been originally described under Proutista. While species of Lydda and Proutista share a similar club-shaped outline of their forewings and a similar wing venation, there are significant differences between both genera in the forewing venation and the structure of the aedeagus in males. On the forewings, the media vein has only 5 branches, while Proutista species have 6 branches. In the type species, Lydda elongata, the eyes are unusually large and the head is very broad. The hind wings are about half as long as the forewings. Some species of Lydda have elaborate patterns on their body and forewings. For example, in live specimens of Lydda elongata, the body has a mixture of reddish brown and bluish patterns, while the forewings are brownish with darker spots. Species that have been previously described under the genus Lydda in Africa are now assigned to the genus Lyddastrombus.
Lyddastrombus is a small genus of planthoppers from the family Derbidae, tribe Zoraidini, currently (2024) with 8 African species. The morphology of the species is similar to those in the genus Lydda and most species have been originally described as part of Lydda. Lyddastrombus species can be recognized by the venation of their forewings and other features. The genus also shows similarities to the genera Diostrombus and Proutista, sharing with them the short antennae and a related forewing venation, where the media vein has 6 branches with none of them forking further into sub branches. However, Lyddastrombus species differ from both genera by their much broader head. Lyddastrombus was original described as a subgenus of Diostrombus, but it is now regarded as a separate genus, due to the broader head. The species of Lyddastrombus are found mainly in the tropical rainforests of West Africa from Sierra Leone over Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but have been also reported from parts of eastern Africa. Lyddastrombus hoppers have been frequently reported feeding on coconut and oil palms. In Mozambique, they were found to be carriers of a phytoplasma disease of coconut palms.