A new species of planthopper from Costa Rica in the genus Herpis (Hemiptera: Derbidae) from palms in the cloud forest

Recent survey efforts in Costa Rica have documented many new species of planthoppers, primarily in the families Derbidae and Cixiidae, on palms. Recently, a specimen was collected sweeping palms in the Los Angeles cloud forest in Costa Rica and was identified as belonging to the genus Herpis (Derbidae). It was subsequently determined to represent a previously undescribed species. Herein, the new species, Herpis circumsoros Bahder & Bartlett sp. n. is described with supplemental molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 18S rRNA gene to support placement of the new species in the genus Herpis.

Automated summary

Recent surveys in Costa Rica have found many previously unknown species of planthoppers, mainly in the Derbidae and Cixiidae families, on palm trees. A specimen collected from palm trees in the Los Angeles cloud forest in Costa Rica was identified as a new species of the genus Herpis (Derbidae). Additional molecular data for the COI gene and 18S rRNA gene were provided to support the classification of the new species within the genus Herpis.