REVALUATION OF THE PROTHORACIC PLEURON OF THE MEMBRACIDAE (HOMOPTERA)- THE PRESENCE OF AN EPIMERON AND A SUBDIVIDED EPISTERNUM IN STICTOCEPHALA-BISONIA KOPP AND YONKE, OXYRHACHIS-TARANDA (FABR), AND CENTROTUS-CORNUTUS (L)

The propleuron of adults of Stictocephala bisonia Kopp and Yonke, Oxyr hachis taranda (Fabr.) and Centrotus cornutus (L.) (Homoptera: Membrac idae) and 5th-instar nymphs of S. bisonia is investigated using scanni ng electron microscopy of the external and internal skeletal surface. Criteria for homologizing propleural features in the Pterygota are det ailed in an attempt to resolve contradictions of earlier interpretatio ns. In the species examined, the following features occur in adults an d in the nymphs of S. bisonia: the pleural sulcus, pleural apophysis, episternum, epimeron, precoxale, and trochantin. In adults, the episte rnum is separated into an anterior and a lateral part. The prothoracic tooth of O. taranda is an epimeral feature. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.