A new genus and species of otiocerine planthopper (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) from coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) in Jamaica, revised status of Shellenius schellenbergii and an updated molecular phylogeny of New World Otiocerinae

Recent survey work in Jamaica has uncovered a large number of new species of planthoppers in the families Derbidae and Cixiidae on palms (Arecaceae). Herein, a new genus and species of planthopper, Litophallus inornatus gen. et sp. nov., is described from coconut palm. Molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 18S rRNA gene and D8–D10 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene is provided and analyzed for the novel taxon and other available New World Otiocerinae.

These findings are important because they provide novel data to help better understand the diversity and evolution of this unique group of planthoppers. Finally, Shellenius schellenbergii (McAtee, 1923) is transferred to the new genus as Litophallus schellenbergii comb. nov.