North American Derbidae

A derbid in the Derbini (possibly Mysidia) from Madre de Dios region of Peru. Photo by Dave Funk of Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA.

A derbid in the Derbini (possibly Mysidia) from Madre de Dios region of Peru. Photo by Dave Funk of Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA.

Derbidae consist of 160 genera and 1,679 species currently known (Bourgoin 2016), making them the third most species-rich family of planthoppers (after Cixiidae and Delphacidae).  Derbidae is represented north of Mexico by 14 genera and 70 species.  All genera of Derbidae north of Mexico, except Apache, have additional species found in the Neotropics. Like most other planthopper taxa, Derbidae tend to have the highest species richness in the tropics, although tropical forms are very poorly studied. The higher taxonomy of Derbidae was revised by Fennah (1952), and more recently by Emeljanov (1996). Their family composition has seldom been questioned.

Derbidae is most diverse in the east, particularly the southeast with 13 genera and 55 species, but this family is irregularly reported in the literature and records are conspicuously sparse in some states.

Distribution of Derbidae in the US (Figure from Bartlett et al. 2014)

Distribution of Derbidae in the US (Figure from Bartlett et al. 2014)

Many derbids are very unusual appearing insects and are easily recognized to family and beyond. In contrast, Cenchreini and Cedusinae are much less unusual appearing, and can be very challenging to identify beyond genus. Derbids generally can be recognized by having the row of spines on the second hind tarsal segment and having the apical segment of the beak short. The head is compressed – slightly or greatly – with the median carina obsolete, and male parameres elongate (projecting beyond the anal segment). Derbinae and Otiocerinae are very unusual appearing with greatly compressed heads and wings much longer than, and usually held parallel to, the body. Some (viz. Paramysidia and Dysimia) hold their wings outstretched in a moth-like pose (like the top photo on this page). Cenchreini and Cedusinae have their heads less compressed and wings shorter (although still exceeding the abdomen).

Head of Anotia weswoodi showing short terminal beak segment (left) and face of Omolicna texana (right)

Head of Anotia weswoodi showing short terminal beak segment (left) and face of Omolicna texana (right)

O’Brien (1982) revised Fennah’s (1952) key to Cedusini (as Cenchreini) to include New World genera only, and provided a checklist of New World species of this tribe excluding Cedusa. Mysidiini were revised by Broomfield (1985), but this group includes only 2 species north of Mexico and Emeljanov (1996) considered Mysidiini as part of Derbini. The large genus Cedusa was revised by Flynn & Kramer (1983) and Kramer (1986). Species of Cedusa are very similar externally and require examination of male genitalia for identification. Omolicna consists of 19 mostly Neotropical species, which are very similar externally and also require examination of male genitalia. Caldwell (1944) considered Omolicna of Mexico (as Phaciocephalus), but species north of Mexico have not been treated consistently among authors. The species and geographic limits of U.S. Omolicna need review. Aside from Cedusa and Omolicna, many eastern species can be identified using Metcalf (1923) or Bartlett et al. (2011).  Recently, a new species of Omolicna was described from Florida as a possible vector of Texas Phoenix Palm Decline, caused by a phytoplasma (Wilson et al. 2014), and a key to most U.S. species of Omolicna was included.

Immature derbids are fungus feeders and have been reared from logs (Willis 1982, Wheeler & Wilson 1996) and decaying organic debris (Howard et al. 2001). Adults are sometimes found in logs or are associated with monocots, presumably near their larval habitat (Wilson et al. 1994, Howard et al. 2001). Adults of most species have been reported on only a single host (Wilson et al. 1994), but the significance of adult host affinities is not clear. Adults often gather under broad leaves, presumably a behavior to protect their fragile wings. There are no well documented pests, but 20 species have been recorded as potentially injurious to economic plants (Wilson & O’Brien 1987), but are increasingly being considered as possible vectors of palm diseases.  Cedusa has been documented as carrying phytoplasmas (Brown et al. 2006), and (as noted above), Omolicna is a suspected vector of the phytoplasma causing Texas Phoenix Palm Decline.

The genera of derbids found north of Mexico are as follows (a key to genus will be presented in a later update; an online checklist to New World Derbidae and key to genera of New World Cenchreini (sensu Fennah 1952) under development.

Family Derbidae
Cedusinae Emeljanov, 1992
Cedusini Emeljanov, 1992
Cenchreini Muir 1917 sensu Fennah 1952, Broomfield 1985 in part; status by Emeljanov 1996.
Cedusa Fowler, 1904 (Type species Cedusa funesta Fowler, 1904)

Derbinae Spinola, 1839
Derbini Spinola, 1839
Mysidiini Broomfield, 1985; syn. by Emeljanov 1996: 74.
Dysimia Muir, 1924 (Type species Dysimia maculata Muir 1924).
Paramysidia Broomfield, 1985 (Type species Mysidia mississippiensis Dozier, 1922).

Cenchreini Muir, 1917
Neocenchrea Metcalf, 1923 (Type species Cenchrea heidemanni Ball, 1902b).
Omolicna Fennah, 1945a (Type species Omolicna proxima Fennah, 1945) [now excluding subgenus Agoo Bahder & Bartlett 2019].
Persis Stål, 1862c (Type species Persis pugnax Stål, 1862c).

I also have a page for Herpis Stål, 1862, and Oropuna Fennah, 1952

Otiocerinae Muir, 1917
Otiocerini Muir, 1917
Anotia Kirby, 1821 (Type species Anotia bonnetii Kirby, 1821).
Amalopota Van Duzee, 1889 (Type species Amalopota uhleri Van Duzee 1889); syn. by Fennah 1952: 152.

Apache Kirkaldy, 1901a (Type species Hynnis rosea Burmeister 1835, jr. syn. of Otiocerus degeerii Kirby 1821).
Otiocerus Kirby, 1821 (Type species Otiocerus stollii Kirby 1821).
Sayiana Ball, 1928 (Type species Anotia sayi Ball, 1902b).
Shellenius Ball, 1928 (Type species Otiocerus ballii McAtee 1923).

Patarini Emeljanov, 1996
Patara Westwood, 1840 (Type species Patara gutata Westwood, 1840) .

Sikaianini Muir, 1913
Mula Ball, 1928 (Type species Mula resonans Ball, 1928).
Sikaiana Distant, 1907b (Type species Sikaiana hyalinata Distant, 1907b).

Another derbid in the Derbini, this one from from Villas Gaia in Costa Rica. Photo by Brian Cutting (University of Delaware).

Another derbid in the Derbini, this one from from Villas Gaia in Costa Rica. Photo by Brian Cutting (University of Delaware).

Key to genera of Derbidae north of Mexico (Bartlett et al. 2014 with figure references removed, modified from Metcalf 1923).

1.    Fragile forms, pronotum not modified into cup-like structure behind antennae; frons greatly compressed, and often anteriorly projecting; clavus usually open (combined CuP + 2A vein curving to follow wing margin, not reaching margin within the claval area)  …  5
1.’    More robust forms, pronotum modified into cup-like structure, often anteriorly projecting beneath antennae; frons moderately compressed; clavus closed (combined CuP + 2A vein not curving to follow wing margin, but reaching wing margin within the claval area)  … 2

Apache californicum

Apache californicum

Cedusa sp.

Cedusa sp.

Cedusa medleri forewing

Cedusa medleri forewing redrawn from Emeljanov 1996 (clavus open)

Anotia robertsoni

Anotia robertsoni (clavus closed)

2.    Subantennal process large, extending laterally from gena, completely subtending antennae as a shelf; no sensory pits on head or wings; color (usually) uniformly near black, dark blue, or deep grey, infrequently near white with yellowish-brown patches    … Cedusa Fowler
2.’      Subantennal process extending from pronotum smaller; sides of vertex and second claval vein with sensory pits; color usually orange to pale   …   3

Cedusa kedusa (subantennal process in grey)

Cedusa kedusa (subantennal process in grey)

Omolicna fulva (subantennal process and postantennal cup in grey)

Omolicna fulva (subantennal process and postantennal cup in grey)

3.    Media with more than two branches, connected to cubitus by crossvein; size less than 6 mm, usually distinctly orangish; projections of pronotum partially subtending antennae   …   Omolicna Fennah
3.’      Media and cubitus each with two branches, not connected by crossveins; size over 7 mm; pronotum not subtending antennae  …  4

Omolicna texana

Omolicna texana (note pustules on wing veins – these are absent in Cedusa)

4.    Lateral margins of pronotum strongly foliate posterior to antennae; pygofer without medioventral process; eastern  …   Neocenchrea Metcalf
4.’      Lateral margins of pronotum not or weakly foliate; pygofer with medioventral process; southwestern  …  Persis Stål

Persis ferox

Persis ferox

Neocenchrea heidemanni

Neocenchrea heidemanni

5.    Antennae with appendages …  6
5.’    Antennae lacking appendages  …  8

Otiocerus abbotii

Otiocerus abbotii (showing appendages on antenna)

6.    General color rose or reddish, wings entirely rose (see above); in lateral view, dorsum of head rather sinuate and dorsal margin of wings in repose sharply angled dorsal in apical third; forewings with dusky spots in most cells  …  Apache Kirkaldy
6.’      General color usually white or yellow, rarely predominately reddish (e.g., Otiocerus coquebertii, O. stollii); in lateral view, dorsum of head flat or rounded), dorsal margin of wings nearly straight; forewings usually without dusky spots in most cells (although some dark spots may be present)  …  7

7.    In lateral view, demarcation between vertex and frons obtusely angular …  Otiocerus Kirby
7.’    In lateral view, demarcation between vertex and head smoothly rounded   …  Shellenius Ball

Shellenius ballii

Shellenius ballii (note shape of head)

Otiocerus abbottii

Otiocerus abbottii

8.    In lateral view, head projecting in front of eyes for a distance subequal to width of eyes …     9
8.’      In lateral view, head projecting in front of eyes for a distance of less than half width of eyes ….     10

9.    Costal margin at base slightly expanded, at most into triangle longer (along length of wing) than wide; antennae with second segment constricted on one side apically.  …  Anotia Kirby
9.’      Costal margin expanded to a free appendage half as wide as wing at that point; second segment of antennae strongly flattened, as wide as width of eye  …   Sayiana Ball

Anotia kirkaldyi

Anotia kirkaldyi

Sayiana sayi with lobe of costal forewing shaded

Sayiana sayi with lobe of costal forewing shaded (this is a genus-level feature)

Sayiana sayi

Sayiana sayi

10.    Clavus open …  11
10.’    Clavus closed …  12

11.    First cell of forewing distinctly triangular, widest at midlength, narrowed both anteriorly and posteriorly; dark markings on wing mostly along veins; hindwings narrow, strap-shaped, with two longitudinal veins  … Mula Ball
11.’          First cell of forewing distinctly elongate, widest near apex; dark markings on wing in cells and along veins; hindwings wider  … Sikaiana Distant

Mula resonans

Mula resonans (the specimen is covered with moth scales, but the best I have)

Forewing of Sikaiana harti

Forewing of Sikaiana harti (genus is called Euklastus in some places)

Sikaiana harti

Sikaiana harti

12.    Second antennal segment flattened, longer than width of head across eyes (Fig. 65J), male antennae longer than those of female; size small, 5 mm or less; wings usually tectiform  …   Patara Westwood
12.’      Second antennal segment globular, shorter than width of head across eyes; often larger than 5 mm; wings often held outstretched … 13

Patera vanduzei

Patera vanduzei

13.    Cubital vein of forewing three branched (CuA and M4 fused basally); smaller, near 5 mm  …  Dysimia Muir
13.’     Cubital vein of forewing four branched (CuA and M4 basally connected by crossvein); larger, near 7 mm   …  Paramysidia Broomfield

Dysimia maculata

Dysimia maculata (color is off in photo)

Paramysidia mississippiensus

Paramysidia mississippiensus

Select References

Bartlett, C. R., E. R. Adams and A. T. Gonzon jr. 2011. Planthoppers of Delaware (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea), excluding Delphacidae, with species incidence from adjacent States. ZooKeys 83: 1-42.

Bartlett, C. R., L. B. O’Brien and S. W. Wilson. 2014. A review of the planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) of the United States. Memoirs of the American Entomological Society 50: 1-287.

Bourgoin, T. 2016. FLOW (Fulgoromorpha Lists on The Web): a world knowledge base dedicated to Fulgoromorpha. Version 8, updated 2016-09-15. http://flow.snv.jussieu.fr/ (accessed Sept. 29, 2016).

Broomfield, P. S. 1985. Taxonomy of Neotropical Derbidae in the new tribe Mysidiini (Homoptera). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology 50(1): 1-152.

Brown, S. E., B. O. Been and W. A. McLaughlin. 2006. Detection and variability of the lethal yellowing group (16Sr IV) phytoplasmas in the Cedusa sp. (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) in Jamaica. Annals of Applied Biology 149: 53-62.

Caldwell, J. S. 1944. The tribe Cenchreini with special references to the Cenchrea complex (Homoptera: Derbidae). Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society 39: 99-110.

Emeljanov, A. F. 1996. On the system and phylogeny of the family Derbidae (Homoptera, Cicadina). Entomological Review 75(2): 70-100.

Fennah, R. G. 1945. The Fulgoroidea, or lanternflies, of Trinidad and adjacent parts of South America. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 95(3184): 411-520.

Fennah, R. G. 1952. On the generic classification of Derbidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) with descriptions of new Neotropical species. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 103(4): 109-170.

Flynn, J. E. and J.P. Kramer. 1983. Taxonomic study of the planthopper genus Cedusa in the Americas (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Entomography 2:121-260.

Howard, F. W., T. J. Weissling and L. B. O’Brien. 2001. The larval habitat of Cedusa inflata (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) and its relationship with adult distribution on palms. Florida Entomologist 84: 119-122.

Kramer, J. P. 1986. Supplement to a taxonomic study of the planthopper genus Cedusa in the Americas (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae). Entomography 4: 245-314.

Metcalf, Z. P. 1923. A key to the Fulgoridae of eastern North America with descriptions of new species. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 38(3): 139-230, plus 32 plates.

Metcalf, Z.P. 1938. The Fulgorina of Barro Colorado and other parts of Panama. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 83(5): 277-423.

Muir, F. A. G. 1913. On some new species of leafhoppers. Part II. Derbidae. Bulletin. Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association Experiment Station. Division of Entomology 12: 28-92.

Muir, F. A. G. 1917. The Derbidae of the Philippine Islands. Philippine Journal of Science 12: 49-105.

O’Brien, L. B. 1982. Two Neotropical derbid genera with observations on wing rolling (Fulgoroidea: Homoptera). Florida Entomologist 65: 306-321.

Wheeler, A. G., Jr. and S. W. Wilson. 1996. Planthoppers of pitch pine and scrub oak in pine barrens communities (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 98: 100-108.

Willis, H. L. 1982. Collection of Euklastus harti in Wisconsin. Entomological News 93: 51-53.

Wilson, S. W., S. Halbert and B. Bextine. 2014. Potential planthopper vectors of palm phytoplasma in Florida with description of a new species of the genus Omolicna (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea). Florida Entomologist 97(1): 90-97.

Wilson, S. W., C. Mitter, R. F. Denno and M. R. Wilson.1994. Evolutionary patterns of host plant use by delphacid planthoppers and their relatives. In: R. F. Denno and T. J. Perfect, (eds.). Planthoppers: Their Ecology and Management. Chapman and Hall, New York. Pp. 7-45 & Appendix

Wilson, S.W. and L. B. O’Brien. 1987. A survey of planthopper pests of economically important plants (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea). Pp. 343-360.  In: M.R. Wilson and L.R. Nault,(eds.). Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Leafhoppers and Planthoppers of Economic Importance : Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA, 28th July-1st August 1986. CAB International Institute of Entomology.

Last edited 7 Oct. 2019

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