New planthoppers in the genus Fescennia (Hemiptera: Derbidae) from screw palms (Pandanus spp.) in eastern Madagascar, with redescription of F. bivittata and an updated key to the genus

Abstract

A survey of planthoppers associated with palms in Madagascar was initiated to assess putative vectors of a phytoplasma causing palm decline.As part of that survey, three species in the genus Fescennia Stål (the type species and two new species) were found associated with screw palms (Pandanus, Pandanaceae). Here, we describe two new species of Fescennia with an amended description of F. bivittata (Coquerel), provide a key to species, and molecular for the barcoding region (5’ half) of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and the D9–D10 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene for each species to support the monophyly of Fescennia.

Aethocauda Williams is transferred to Phenicini from Cenchreini.