Four new neotropical Trioza species associated with Loranthaceae (Santalales) and comments on mistletoe inhabiting psyllids (Hemiptera, Psylloidea)

• Published in: Alpine entomology 2017-11, Vol.1, p.91-108
• Main Authors: Burckhardt, Daniel, Díaz, Fiorella, Queiroz, Dalva L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2535-0889; 2535-0889
• DOI: 10.3897/alpento.1.20905

Four new Trioza species associated with mistletoes are described, diagnosed and illustrated from Brazil and Chile. They are monophagous on the Loranthaceae Struthanthusuraguensis ( Triozastruthanthi sp. n. ), Tripodanthusacutifolius ( Triozatripodanthi sp. n. ) and narrowly oligophagous on Tristerix spp. ( Triozatristericis sp. n. ). For a fourth species ( Triozavagata sp. n. ) host information is unavailable but its association with mistletoes is likely. The four species form a putative monophyletic group, together with three North American species ( Triozaacuminata Tuthill, T.incidata Tuthill and T.phorodendrae Tuthill), based on the apically incised paramere, the highly modified valvulae of the female ovipositor and the host association with mistletoes. T.acuminata stat. n. from California is raised to species rank (originally described as subspecies of T.phorodendrae ). The Triozastruthanthi -group is diagnosed and a key for the identification of its constituent members is provided. New host data are provided for Calophya sp. from Brazil as well as for Notophorinafusca Burckhardt and Zonopelmaaustralis Burckhardt from Chile. Host plant and biogeographical patterns of mistletoe feeding psyllids around the world are briefly discussed.