Ciminius
Metcalf & Bruner, 1936
Species Guides
3Ciminius is a of leafhoppers in the Cicadellidae, tribe Cicadellini. The genus was established by Metcalf and Bruner in 1936 and contains ten described distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. A 2025 morphological phylogenetic study confirmed Ciminius as monophyletic with high support and described three new species. The genus belongs to the Articulate Stem Clade alongside Tylozygus and the genus Arcanus, characterized by unique connective .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ciminius: //kɪˈmɪniəs//
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Identification
Members of Ciminius can be distinguished from related by the unique of the male connective, a synapomorphy of the Articulate Stem Clade. The genus is diagnosed by morphological characters used in the phylogenetic analysis of 50 characters across 23 . Submacroptery (reduced wing development) has been reported in some . A key to males is available for species-level identification.
Images
Distribution
Neotropical region: C. albolineatus, C. callosa, C. platensis, C. yana, C. autumnalis, C. dissidens, C. sesamum. Nearctic region: C. hartii, C. sidanus, C. taosus. An occurrence map has been published but specific details are not available from the abstract.
Life Cycle
stages of Ciminius sp. have been described. Further details on , nymphal instars, or developmental duration are not available from the abstract.
Behavior
Submacroptery (reduced wing development) has been reported. Notes on are mentioned in the taxonomic revision but specific details are not provided.
Similar Taxa
- ArcanusNewly described recovered as sister to Ciminius; distinguished as separate genus based on morphological phylogenetic analysis
- TylozygusForms the Articulate Stem Clade with Ciminius and Arcanus; distinguished by shared connective but separate generic status
More Details
Phylogenetic position
Ciminius, Arcanus, and Tylozygus form the Articulate Stem Clade within Cicadellini, named for the distinctive connective shared among these .
Taxonomic history
The contained seven prior to 2025; three new species were described in the revision by autumnalis, dissidens, and sesamum. The taxonomic status of C. callosa has been problematic and was discussed in the revision.
Research gaps
Full text of the 2025 revision was not available for extraction; preferences, plant associations, detailed , and specific records remain to be documented from the primary literature.