Short-winged mysteries from Andean cloud forests: a new genus and two new species of brachypterous sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) from Colombia

In this study, a new genus and two new species of brachypterous sharpshooters from the tribe Proconiini (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) are described from high Andean forests in Colombia. The new genus, Andinobrachys gen. nov., includes Andinobrachys montanus sp. nov., described from male and female specimens collected in the municipalities of Sonsón and Belmira, Antioquia. This addition brings the current total number of genera in Proconiini to 61.

Additionally, we describe Lojata andina sp. nov., based on a single male specimen collected in the municipality of Yarumal, Antioquia, expanding the known diversity within the genus Lojata to two species and constituting the first record of the genus in Colombia. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of both external features and male and female terminalia are provided, highlighting the distinctiveness of the new taxa.

The newly described species exhibit significant morphological differences from their congeners, being easily identified. Furthermore, the high-altitude distribution of these species suggests that brachyptery can be an adaptation to extreme ecological conditions in high Andean ecosystems within Proconiini. This study underscores the critical need for taxonomic research in poorly studied and highly threatened ecosystems such as the high Andean cloud forests.