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Issue: Vol. 72 No. 2: 26 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-26
DOI: 10.12976/jib/2025.72.2.1
Page range: 28-36
Abstract views: 46
PDF downloaded: 0

A new species of Ilithucia (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Ceresini) and a key to known species based on holotypes and original descriptions

PhD candidate LMU/ SNSB – Zoological State Collection Munich (ZSM); Munich, Germany.
1SNSB – Zoological State Collection Munich (ZSM); Munich, Germany
Colombia treehoppers Ilithucia Ceresini taxonomy species identification new species description entomological collections Neotropical region

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Ilithucia Stål, 1867 (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Smiliinae: Ceresini) comprises a distinctive group of treehoppers primarily distributed across the Andean highlands in South America. Historically, its taxonomy has been entangled with that of closely related genera such as Antonae, due to overlapping morphological traits. Although species boundaries within Ilithucia remain complex, this study contributes to resolve these uncertainties through a comprehensive revision based on museum specimens from various collections. In this endeavor, we describe Ilithucia colombiana Rodríguez-Serrano & Raupach sp. nov., a new species from Colombian montane ecosystems, distinguished by its yellow-ochre coloration, distinctive suprahumeral processes, and unique genital morphology. The new species reinforces the morphological cohesion of the genus and expands its known geographic and altitudinal distribution. An updated dichotomous identification key to all currently recognized species is provided for the first time. Finally, we highlight the essential role of museum collections in biodiversity research, particularly for groups inhabiting remote or threatened ecosystems such as the Andean páramos.

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