Rf. Whitcomb et Al. Hicks, FLEXARIDA-CHAOTICA, NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF LEAFHOPPER (HOMOPTERA, CICADELLIDAE) FROM THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 95(4), 1993, pp. 605-610
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.