Ancyra (planthopper)

Ancyra is a small genus of planthoppers of the family Eurybrachidae and the only genus in the tribe Ancyrini. Species in this genus occur in southeast Asia.[1]

Ancyra
Head facing left; long filaments on wing tips, giving the appearance of a head facing right with antennae (in Cambodia)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Fulgoromorpha
Family: Eurybrachidae
Tribe: Ancyrini
Schmidt, 1908
Genus: Ancyra
White, 1845
Type species
Ancyra appendiculata
White, 1845

Description

Members of the genus are well known for having a pair of prolonged filaments at the tips of the forewings that arise near a pair of small glossy spots; this creates the impression of a pair of antennae, with corresponding "eyes" (a remarkable case of automimicry).[2] The "false head" effect is further reinforced by the bugs' habit of walking backwards when it detects movement nearby, so as to misdirect predators to strike at its rear, rather than at its actual head.

Taxonomy

The genus Ancyra was first named in 1845 by Scottish zoologist Adam White.[3][1] It is the only genus of the tribe Ancyrini (subfamily Platybrachinae, family Eurybrachidae).[4] The type species is Ancyra appendiculata, the species name meaning bearing appendages.[1][5]

Species

As of 2020, lists the following seven species in the genus Ancyra:[1]

  • Ancyra annamensis Schmidt, 1908 – Vietnam
  • Ancyra appendiculata White, 1845 – Myanmar
  • Ancyra histrionica Stål, 1863 – Cambodia, Myanmar
  • Ancyra luangana Lallemand, 1928
  • Ancyra nigrifrons Schmidt, 1908 – Malaysia
  • Ancyra vicina Lallemand, 1928 – Vietnam
  • Ancyra xiengana Lallemand, 1928

References
  1. Bourgoin Th. 2019. Ancyra White, 1845. FLOW (Fulgoromorpha Lists on The Web): a world knowledge base dedicated to Fulgoromorpha. Version 8. Accessed 30 August 2020.
  2. Wickler, W. 1968. Mimicry in plants and animals. McGraw-Hill, New York
  3. White A. 1845. Descriptions of a new genus and some new species of Homopterous Insects from the East in the collection of the British Museum. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. London 15: 34-37 [34].
  4. Bourgoin Th. 2019. Ancyrini Schmidt, 1908. FLOW (Fulgoromorpha Lists on The Web): a world knowledge base dedicated to Fulgoromorpha. Version 8. Accessed 30 August 2020.
  5. Harris, James G.; Harris, Melinda Woolf (2001). Plant identification terminology: an illustrated glossary (Second ed.). Spring Lake, Utah: Spring Lake Pub. ISBN 9780964022164.
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