FLEXARIDA-CHAOTICA, NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF LEAFHOPPER (HOMOPTERA, CICADELLIDAE) FROM THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

In the course of a recent review of the genus Flexamia, a new species was discovered that, although apparently related to Flexamia and two o ther related genera (Spartopyge and Alapus), could not be assigned to an existing genus. The species has a highly reduced aedeagus with litt le trace of characters of other flexaminoid genera. Characters of the male plates and female sternum VII suggested that ancestors of this ne w species, which apparently specializes on Muhlenbergia arenacea or cl osely related grasses in alkaline flats of southern Arizona and New Me xico, diverged from the flexaminoid lineage prior to divergence of Fle xamia. We name this species Flexarida chaotica.