Morphotaxonomy of five species of leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from rice ecosystem of Jorhat, Assam

Abstract

Two species from each genus of Nephotettix and Cofana and one species of Maiestas were studied from rice ecosystem of Jorhat, Assam during 2012-2014 and were described based on morphological and male genital characters. Species of Nephotettix can be identified based on shape of vertex, spots present on vertex and forewing and the number of spines present on aedeagal shaft of male genitalia. The Cofana species were identified based on their body size, the numbers of distinctive black spots on vertex and the presence of spines on pygofer. In case of Maiestas species, ocelli was on the anterior margins of vertex and very close to the eyes, forewings with light brown ‘W’ shaped bands which gave a zig-zagged pattern. A simple key for identification of these species in field level was also prepared.