An additional taxon of the Kelisia guttula group from Central Italy: Kelisia italica (Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae).

Abstract

Kelisia italica n. sp. found in high altitudes, between 1800-2200 m, in two mountain regions of the Central Italy (Monte Terminillo, Monte Velino) is described. It is closely related to K. guttula (Germar) sensu Wagner and K. sima Ribaut, but is easily distinguished from these species by the shape of the male genital segment (lobuliform projection of the caudal margin lateral of the anal tube) and the lack of the aedeagal lamella. In addition, it differs from K. vittipennis J. Sahlberg by the bigger spot on the genae, the lack of dark markings on the pronotum between eyes and scutum, and by the shape of the aedeagus, and from K. irregulata Haupt by its smaller size, the bigger spot on the genae and the male genital morphology. In the female genitalia there exists a very broad basal part of the “edeagal duct” not present in any other species of the K. guttula-group.