Recently, scientists at the Central Institute for Scientific Research under the Vietnam National Museum of Nature (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) discovered and documented two new species of cicadas. These are two species of cicadas belonging to the genus Connelicita, family Tropiduchidae (leafhoppers), order Hemiptera (true bugs).
This discovery enriches the biodiversity of Vietnam’s ecosystem, providing important information for conservation studies and environmental monitoring.
The Connelicita bachmaensis species discovered in Bach Ma National Park (Thua Thien – Hue Province). (Photo: TTXVN).
The specimens of these two cicada species were collected from two locations: Bach Ma National Park (Thua Thien – Hue Province); and the Vietnam Natural Resources Conservation and Wildlife Rescue Center (Vietnam Museum of Nature) in Phong Dien District, Thua Thien – Hue Province. The scientific names of the two cicada species are: Connelicita bachmaensis and Connelicita phongdienensis.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of the Central Institute for Scientific Research, stated that the addition of these two new cicada species to Vietnam’s fauna has increased the total number of species in the country to four and expanded their distribution range southward. However, there remains a significant gap of over 500 km between these areas, with no new records of Connelicita species in the northern part of Central Vietnam, which opens the possibility for discovering more new species in the future.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Thai, the discovery and description of these two new cicada species enhance our understanding of Southeast Asia’s tropical fauna, contributing significantly to ecological conservation research. Additionally, detailed information about the morphological characteristics and habitats of these species will aid scientists in developing effective conservation strategies, especially as their habitats are threatened by exploitation and climate change. The diversity of the Tropiduchidae family in Vietnam may also provide useful information for monitoring changes in natural habitats.
Regarding more detailed information about the two cicada species, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Thai noted that the Connelicita bachmaensis species has a medium size, with a body length of approximately 12.56 mm for males and 13.60 mm for females. This species has a head that is narrower than the thorax, and its apex is longer than the eyes, giving it a characteristic elongated shape. The apex of the head is brown with a light yellow midline, and the edge contours curve gently. The eyes are spherical, slightly bulging on the sides, and covered with brown spots, creating a sharp and attractive appearance. The forewings are transparent with a brown spot in the middle, which helps the species camouflage easily among leaves. The hindwings are slightly transparent, with light black veins and a slightly rounded apex, well-suited for flying in dense forests.
The Connelicita phongdienensis species discovered at the Vietnam Natural Resources Conservation and Wildlife Rescue Center (Vietnam Museum of Nature) in Phong Dien District, Thua Thien – Hue Province. (Photo: TTXVN).
The Connelicita phongdienensis species possesses unique morphological characteristics compared to other species in the same genus and can be distinguished by the specific structure of the male genitalia. Individuals of this species have a light brown head and body with small black spots, but the color is darker in certain prominent areas such as the apex of the head and spots near the eyes. The forewings exhibit a complex venation pattern with parallel and branching blood vessels at specific points, creating a noticeable pattern under light.
“Although the new species can be easily distinguished by their sexual characteristics, their external morphology is very similar. Therefore, one should not solely rely on images for identification and should avoid species-level insect identification unless there are high-quality photos of the genitalia of the specimens,” said Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Thai.
