Valenciolenda is a cavernicolous monotypic genus of planthopper in the family Kinnaridae. Valenciolenda fadaforesta is a peculiar species of hemptiran, as it is the only representative of its family in the Old World. Moreover it's the seventh cavernicolous Kinnarid and only the third troglobitic planthopper discovered around the Mediterranean.[1]
| Valenciolenda | |
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_Figure_1_(cropped).jpg)
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| Valenciolenda fadaforesta adult male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Auchenorrhyncha |
| Infraorder: | Fulgoromorpha |
| Family: | Kinnaridae |
| Genus: | Valenciolenda Hoch & Sendra, 2021 |
| Species: | V. fadaforesta
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| Binomial name | |
| Valenciolenda fadaforesta Hoch & Sendra, 2021
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Description
editValenciolenda fadaforesta is a small insect measuring about 3-4 mm in length. It is adapted to the cave environment in which it lives. It has lost its compound eyes and ocelli and has only weak pigmentation on its body. The wings and tegmina are reduced. This planthopper probably feeds on the plant roots that can be found hanging from the ceiling. The animal probably lives most of the time inside interstitial spaces of the cave system near this roots. It is unable to fly but can escape predators by jumping several centimeters, it can use the flat tegmina as a parachutes to slow down.[1]
Etymology
editThe genus is a combination of Valencia (the type locality) and the tribe Adolendini. The species name is a combination of the Valencian word for "fairy" (fada) and forest meaning "fairy of the forest".[1]
Distribution
editSpecimens of Valenciolenda have been observed in six caves in the Valencian Community in Spain. It is regarded as a relict species as it has no geographically close relative.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Hoch, Hannelore; Sendra, Alberto; Montagud, Sergio; Teruel, Santiago; Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes (11 Jan 2021). "First record of a cavernicolous Kinnaridae from the Old World (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoromorpha, Kinnaridae, Adolendini) provides testimony of an ancient fauna". Subterranean Biology. 37 (published 11 January 2021): 1–26. doi:10.3897/SUBTBIOL.37.60483. ISSN 1768-1448. Wikidata Q105820570.
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