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derbid planthopper

Proutista moesta

Photo by Scott Frazier
Published on Project Noah
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-2.56278, 140.504

Field Notes

Description:

This is a Derbid planthopper, otherwise known by some as a long-winged Planthopper. It very much resembles Proutista moesta but a 1989 review of the genus in New Guinea was puzzled by this particular species' absence (save for 1 record) from New Guinea when it was abundant in western Indonesia. (http://www.naturalsciences.be/LIII/pdf/indo_malayan/vol6_1989/vol6-1/Va… ). A current list of "Species of Derbidae known to occur in Indonesia and New Guinea" lists Proutista moesta with no mention of scarcity. (All of the other Proutista spp. mentioned in the 1989 work have now apparently been assigned to the genus Lydda and others). See http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/indo/derbidae.htm

Habitat:

Spotted in a large semi-urban yard & garden next to a disturbed patch of remnant forest.

Notes:

Poor late afternoon light for macro photography, but such a spectacular tiny creature!

Reference Links:

Proutista moesta - Overview, Foto Biodiversitas Indonesia » Proutista moesta

Species ID Suggestions

Derbid Planthopper

Proutista moesta (Westwood)
Joseph CHIEF REDEARTH
1

Comments (5)
Joseph CHIEF REDEARTH
Hi Scott, I am so happy to have the confirmation from you. I was also reluctant to suggest until I saw the Western Ghats in blue color in this page http://hemiptera-databases.org/flow/?page=explorer&db=flow&lang=en&card=species&id=3198 Yet it was just inviting your attention and I am NO AUTHORITY regarding TAXO. Thank you Scott and Sunny too. :))
Scott Frazier
Just found a reference stating that it had never been recorded in New Guinea except for one record. That was a 1989 publication. However I also just found this http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/indo/derbidae.htm which lists it for Papua, and no other Proutista species. So I will go with it. Thanks Joseph.
Scott Frazier
Thanks Joseph but it's ironic. This is the link that made me hesitate. It could be the genus (see my description), but moesta apparently has not been recorded from east of Sulawesi. See http://hemiptera-databases.org/flow/?page=explorer&db=flow&lang=en&card=species&id=3198 On taxa that I'm not familiar with, I like to see if it's been recorded here. Indonesia is a vast chain of islands and the flora and fauna vary. :-)
Joseph CHIEF REDEARTH
Hi Scott please check: http://hemiptera-databases.org/flow/?pag... Leafhopper, Planthopper & Psyllid Vectors of Plant Disease | Proutista moesta (Westwoo Thank you. Joseph
Scott Frazier
Is there a link with which to evaluate the suggestion?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
The Hoppers
Mission
Biota of S. Frazier's Yard at Sentani, Papua, Indonesia

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 1, 2011

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