Morphological alteration in response to endogeic habitat and ant association in two new planthopper species from New Caledonia (Hemiptera : Auchenorrhyncha : Fulgoromorpha : Delphacidae)

Two new endogeic species of the delphacid genus Notuchus are described from New Caledonia, Notuchus kaori sp. nov. and Notuchus ninguae sp. nov. Both species are soil-dwelling and display the highest degree of troglomorphy observed in any subterranean Fulgoromorpha species. Notuchus kaori appears to be associated with ants of the genus Paratrechina (Formicidae: Formicinae). Information on their ecology and distribution is provided, and morphological characters which may be indicative of adaptation to the subterranean environment and/or the degree of integration into the host society are discussed.