New planthopper species found in southern Spain

Not much is known about the the genus of planthopper known as Conosimus, which now includes six species after a new one was recently discovered in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula in the Spanish city of Jaen. A description of it appears in the open-access Journal of Insect Science (see http://www.insectscience.org/14.92/).

The new species, Conosimus baenai, has been named after Manuel Baena, a Spanish hemipterologist, for his contributions to the taxonomy of Iberian Hemiptera.

Conosimus baenai differs in appearance from the other species in the Conosimus genus due to the coloration of its forewings and veins. All of the other species have veins that are the same color as their wings, which are usually light brown or light-brown yellowish. However, Conosimus baenai has light yellow or greenish-yellow wings with radial and median veins that are framed by dark brown or black stripes.

The new species was found in a medium-high mountain area that is dominated by thorny shrubs called Echinospartum boissieri, of which it seems to be associated. This rare shrub, which is endemic to the Baetic Range in southern Spain, blooms and produces fruit from July to August.

The other five species in the genus are C. coelatus, C. malfanus, C. violantis, C. noualhieri, and C. horvathi.

The full open-access article is available at http://www.insectscience.org/14.92/.

The Journal of Insect Science is published by the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has nearly 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, and hobbyists. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org.

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