COMPARATIVE MALE GENITALIA MORPHOLOGY AND PHYLOGENETIC REMARKS IN TRYPETIMORPHINI (HEMIPTERA, FULGOROMORPHA, TROPIDUCHIDAE)

A detailed comparative morphological study of the male genitalia of the Tropiduchidae Trypetimorphini shows that the connective has to be considered as a composite structure born from the association of two sternal post (tectiductus nov. nom.) and pregenital (connective s.s.) sclerified intersegmental IX-X invaginations. This interpretation can be probably extended to the whole Fulgoromorpha, observing that the paired sclerified processus from the ductus seminis wall may also take part in building the connective. Landmarks are pointed out for the periandrium and the aedeagus recognition. Some phylogenetical remarks are given in conclusion for the Trypetimorphini which do not form a monophyletic group.