Empoa is a of leafhoppers in the Cicadellidae, established by Fitch in 1851 and currently treated as a subgenus of Typhlocyba Germar, 1833. The genus was synonymized with Empoides Vilbaste, 1968, with nine new combinations resulting from this taxonomic revision. Empoa are part of the Typhlocybinae , characterized by their small size and plant-feeding habits. The gillettei complex within Empoa comprises 14 Nearctic species that share identical male genitalia, requiring association data and coloration patterns for species-level identification.
Identification
Identification of Empoa relies heavily on plant associations and coloration patterns, particularly within the gillettei complex where 14 Nearctic species possess identical male genitalia. Male genitalia is illustrated for diagnostic purposes. Color variation has historically led to species misidentification, as demonstrated by synonymies of Empoa acericola and E. caryata with E. gillettei, and E. elmata with T. saffrana. A key to species of the gillettei complex is available for Nearctic specimens.
Images
Distribution
Nearctic region, with records from eastern Canada and the United States including Vermont.
Similar Taxa
- TyphlocybaEmpoa is currently treated as a subgenus of Typhlocyba, sharing the same Typhlocybinae and tribe Typhlocybini; -level distinction requires examination of genitalia and associations.
- EmpoidesEmpoides Vilbaste, 1968 has been synonymized with Empoa Fitch, 1851; these names refer to the same taxonomic group.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Empoa was originally described as a by Fitch in 1851. Vilbaste established Empoides in 1968, but this was later synonymized with Empoa, which is now treated as a subgenus of Typhlocyba. The taxonomic revision included nine new combinations and clarified relationships within the Typhlocybinae.
Gillettei Complex
The gillettei complex within Empoa presents significant taxonomic challenges, comprising 14 Nearctic with identical male genitalia. Species identification in this complex requires analysis of plant associations from collected series and interpretation of color variation patterns, as color-based species descriptions have proven unreliable.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Publications | Entomology Research Museum
- Empoasca fabae Archives - Entomology Today
- Empoasca-fabae - Entomology Today
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- SYNOPSIS OF TYPHLOCYBA SUBGENUS EMPOA FITCH, WITH A KEY TO THE SPECIES OF THE GILLETTEI COMPLEX (RHYNCHOTA: HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)