Leafhoppers are small Insects belonging to the True Bug order, Hemiptera. They are mostly herbivorous, using needle-like mouthparts to drill into plants and drain their sap. Leafhoppers form large colonies on plants, containing adults of both sexes as well as nymphs, larvae that resemble small adults and which only undergo partial metamorphosis during growth. Some species of Leafhopper form symbiotic relationships with Ants, producing secretions consumed by the Ants in return for protection from predators.
The first new species described is placed in the new genus
Xerophytavorus (eater of
Xerophyta) and given the specific name
furcillatus (little fork, referring to the shape of the tip of the abdomen). These are small (adults slightly over 2 mm), dark coloured Insects with white markings, found living on the plant
Xerophyta splendens on
Mulanje Mountain in Malawi, where they were attended by Ants of the genus
Crematogaster. Such Leafhopper-Ant associations are common on Dicotyledonous (broad leafed) plants, but rare on Monocotyledons. Ants of the genus
Crematogaster have previously been found tending a variety of Hemipterans (True Bugs) on a variety of plants, and are known to offer good protection against parasitoid Wasps (Wasps that lay their eggs on the Bugs, and whose larvae will the proceed to consume the Bud from the inside). On this occasion the Ants were found to build encasements of chewed plant material around the Leafhoppers. The grasslands where
Xerophyta splendens grows are noted for regular scrub-fires, which the plant is able to tolerate.
Xerophytavorus furcillatus was only found living on taller plants, suggesting it survives such events by remaining out of reach of the flames.
Xerophytavorus furcillatus. (Top) Male. (Bottom) Female. Stiller (2012).
Map showing the location of the site where Xerophytavorus furcillatus was discovered. Google Maps.
The second new species described is also placed in the genus
Xerophytavorus and is given the specific name
rastrullus (small rake or comb, in reference to to the shape of the tip of the abdomen). It was found living on
Xerophyta retinervis, the Black Stick Lilly, a widespread but never abundant, hardy shrub in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North-West Provinces.
Xerophytavorus rastrullus was attended by the small Ant
Lepisiota incisa at Faerie Glen in Pretoria. This Ant has become widespread in many South African cities in recent years, and is known to have invaded the
Kruger National Park, but is not believed to be native to South Africa. Other species of Ant were found tending
Xerophytavorus rastrullus at other locations.
Xerophytavorus rastrullus. (Top) Female from Faerie Glen, Pretoria. (Upper Middle) Female from Dome Kloof, Magaliesberg, North-West Province. (Lower Middle) Nymph from Koppie Alleen, North-West Province. (Bottom) Female Swawelpoort, Pretoria. Stiller (2012).
Myrmecological associations. (Top and Upper Middle) Lepisiota incisa tending leafhoppers, Faerie Glen. (Lower Middle) Myrmicaria natalensis tending Xerophytavorus rastrullus, Irene, Pretoria. (Bottom) Camponotus eugeniae tending Xerophytavorus rastrullus, Magaliesberg, North-West Province. Stiller (2012).
The third new species of Leafhopper described is placed in the new genus Xerophytacolus, meaning dweller on Xerophyta, and given the specific name claviverpus, meaning spiny penis, due to a feature of the male anatomy. The species was found living on
Xerophyta retinervis in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa.
Xerophytacolus claviverpus. (Top) Nymph. (Bottom). Male. Both from Orrie Baragwanath Pass in Limpopo Province. Stiller (2012).
The final new species described is also placed in the genus
Xerophytacolus, and given the specific name
tubuverpus, meaning 'tubular penis', again due to the male anatomy. The two species in this genera are very similar, but have distinctive genitalia, suggesting reproductive isolation. This species was also found living on Xerophyta retinervis in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa.
Xerophytacolus tubuverpus. (Top) Male. (Middle) Female. (Bottom) Nymph. All from Faerie Glen, Pretoria. (Stiller 2012).
See also
A new species of Leaf Bug from the Mangrove Forests of Singapore and Thailand,
Two new species of True Bug from the Mesozoic of China and
An Assassin Bug from the Palaeocene of Spitsbergen Island.
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Two new species of Leafhoppers from China. Leafhoppers are small members of the True Bug order Hemiptera,
closely related to Cicadas. They are typically small and inconspicuous as
individuals, seldom more than a few millimetres in length, but in large numbers
can be harmful to plants and are often considered to be...
New species of Leafhopper from Brazil. 
