Pyrops


Pyrops is a genus of planthoppers that occur primarily in southeast Asia, containing about 70 species. They are fairly large insects, with much of the length due to an elongated, upcurving, snout-like projection of the head. The wings are generally brightly patterned in contrasting colors, and they are popular among collectors.

Species

The genus name of Laternaria has been used by some authors, but this name was published in a work that was suppressed in 1955 by an official declaration of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature : Opinion 322. The type species is Pyrops candelaria.
In the genus Pyrops the names of the species follow the rules of the ICZN; that is, since the name of the genus is masculine in gender, the adjectival species epithets in the genus would be given in their masculine form, though numerous authors have consistently treated them as feminine. Under the present rules, generic names ending in -ops must be treated as masculine regardless of the original usage.
A molecular phylogenetic study suggests that Pyrops is a sister of the genus Saiva and together form tribe Pyropsini.

Ecology

Like many other plant-sap sucking insects, Pyrops species exude honeydew. This honeydew is sometimes gathered by other animals in trophobiotic associations. Pyrops whiteheadi and P. intricatus are known to be attended by Dorylaea sp. cockroaches in Southeast Asia. Pyrops whiteheadi has also been seen tended by a gecko, Gehyra mutilata.