Reclassification of the Planthopper Genus Melanoliarus Fennah, 1945 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae), primarily North of Mexico, with Notes on American Pentastirini

The genus Melanoliarus Fennah is an amalgam of 79 of the approximately 100 species of American Pentastirini. Here we review Melanoliarus with emphasis on species occurring north of Mexico. Twelve new genera and two new subgenera are described based on genitalic and external morphological characters resulting in 52 new nomenclatural combinations, segregated from Melanoliarus: Amiarus gen. nov., Amiarus (Umbrarus) subgen. nov., Antilliarus gen. nov., Bifoliarus gen. nov., Cilidius gen. nov., Galapagoliarus gen. nov., Lapsium gen. nov., Melanoliarus (Amplectiarus) subgen. nov., Oliaridellus gen. nov., Oliaridus gen. nov., Remotiarus gen. nov., Sonorium gen. nov., Vitroliarus gen. nov., and Xenoliarus gen. nov. Two species are transferred from Cyclopoliarus Fennah to Antilliarus gen. nov. Two species described from females are considered incertae sedis in Pentastirini. Cixius testaceus Walker is treated as a new junior synonym of Cixius vicarius Walker. A lectotype is designated for Oliarus cinereus. Cicada villosa Fabricius is transferred to Pentastiridius Kirschbaum. The genus Melanoliarus has been redefined to include six species that are mostly endemic to the Antillean region. A key is provided for the genera and subgenera of American Pentastirini. With these changes, 101 species of Pentastirini are reported from the Americas in 20 genera.