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Issue: Vol. 5768 No. 2: 10 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-10
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5768.2.8
Page range: 285-294
Abstract views: 40
PDF downloaded: 2

Hidden diversity inside bromeliads: a new species of Cavichiana from Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

Laboratório de Sistemática de Hemiptera; Departamento de Entomologia; Museu Nacional; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão; 875; São Cristóvão; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 20941-160; Brasil.
Laboratório de Sistemática de Hemiptera; Departamento de Entomologia; Museu Nacional; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão; 875; São Cristóvão; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 20941-160; Brasil.
Laboratório de Entomologia; Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Caixa Postal 68044; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 21941-971; Brasil.
Laboratório de Sistemática de Hemiptera; Departamento de Entomologia; Museu Nacional; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão; 875; São Cristóvão; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 20941-160; Brasil.
Hemiptera Atlantic Forest Bromeliaceae Cicadellinae Leafhopper Morphology Taxonomy

Abstract

The sharpshooter genus Cavichiana Mejdalani et al., 2014 previously included three species: C. bromelicola Mejdalani et al., 2014 (type species), C. alpina Quintas et al., 2020, and C. caelivittata Mejdalani et al., 2023. These species occur exclusively on bromeliads in southeastern and southern Brazil. Here we describe a new species, C. coeruleomaculata, from Caparaó National Park, municipality of Ibitirama, state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil (so far, the northernmost known record of the genus). The new taxon can be distinguished by the head with small bluish-white spots; forewings with large bluish-white transcommissural macula with anterior part covering scutellum; and aedeagus with conspicuous posterior projection directed dorsally and lacking apical crown of spines. An updated diagnosis of Cavichiana is presented, considering character variation found in species described after the original genus description. Also, a key to the known species of Cavichiana is provided and the distribution of the genus is discussed.

 

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How to Cite

Timóteo, Ágatha, Quintas, V., Alves, A.A. & Mejdalani, G. (2026) Hidden diversity inside bromeliads: a new species of Cavichiana from Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini). Zootaxa, 5768 (2), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5768.2.8