[NHCOLL-L:2952] Scaralis (Fulgoridae) specimens needed

[Doug Yanega]

Hi, all. In the process of describing what we had believed was a new 
genus of New World Fulgoridae, in a revision that *was* nearing 
completion, my co-authors and I have, upon examination of some types 
in European collections, found that a related genus (Scaralis Stal) 
actually contains a few species which may need to be transferred into 
ours. The problem is that the type specimen of the type species of 
Scaralis (S. picta Germar 1830) is missing, and we have seen no 
specimens so now we don't know whether it, too, belongs to our "new" 
genus. Accordingly, we now have no choice but to either locate 
Germar's type, or designate a lectotype. The species was described 
from Brazil (prob. Minas Gerais) and is also known from Venezuela. 
Does anyone have specimens identified as S. picta (possibly listed as 
flavopunctata) they could either loan to us, or at least send us good 
digital close-ups?

In addition to picta, there is one other species, S. puella Stal, 
also from Brazil, for which we have seen no specimens (the type also 
appears to be lost), and so cannot place it confidently to either 
genus. Leads on any such specimens would also be quite helpful.

Of the remaining 5 species in the genus, we've seen the type and/or 
have adequate material, though specimens of S. obscura are proving 
elusive (and we think it *might* be the opposite sex of another 
common species), and also (unfortunately) the one recent guide to New 
World Fulgoridae by Porion has an incorrectly identified specimen of 
S. nigronotata (in a different genus from the type, so it's a 
substantial error), so we suspect that there may be very few 
correctly-identified nigronotata in people's collections (that is, 
the misidentification is an old one, and Porion simply perpetuated 
it, rather than it being a new error). Anyone who might want their 
specimen IDs confirmed for this species might also contact me.

Basically, it appears that instead of revising just one genus, we are 
compelled now to revise TWO.

Note that older specimens (identified prior to 1950) in collections 
might be listed under genera such as Poiocera, Jamaicastes, or 
Domitia - nonetheless, the species epithets should agree with those 
given above.

Thanks to anyone who can help out,

Sincerely,
-- 

Doug Yanega        Dept. of Entomology         Entomology Research Museum
Univ. of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0314
phone: (951) 827-4315 (standard disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
              http://cache.ucr.edu/~heraty/yanega.html
   "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
         is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82