Evidence for an Indo-Pacific origin of Hawaiian endemics in Balclutha and related genera (Cicadellidae: Macrostelini)

Abstract

The 10 endemic species of Balclutha in Hawaii are reviewed and compared with the Pacific and American forms of the genus. Two new species, nigriventris and fuscifrons , are described; kilaueae is transferred to a new genus Balolina n. comb.; beardsleyi is synonymized with saltuella , n. syn.; and hospes is relegated to a subspecies of incisa , n. stat. Descriptions and notes, together with illustrations and a key, are given for each taxon. Evidence is presented to suggest that all the endemic species of Balclutha have arisen within the islands from a single colonization and that the taxon showing the greatest similarity to them is the widespread Pacific species B. lucida . It is shown that the Hawaiian genus Nesolina is most closely related to the endemic species-group of Balclutha and that Balolina is an independent colonization.