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Recent survey efforts in Costa Rica have documented many new species of planthoppers, primarily in the families Derbidae and Cixiidae, on palms. Recently, a specimen was collected sweeping palms in the Los Angeles cloud forest in Costa Rica and was identified as belonging to the genus Herpis (Derbidae). It was subsequently determined to represent a previously undescribed species. Herein, the new species, Herpis circumsoros Bahder & Bartlett sp. n. is described with supplemental molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 18S rRNA gene to support placement of the new species in the genus Herpis.

The derbid genus Oropuna is a small taxon of Neotropical planthoppers in the tribe Cenchreini comprised of three species. Recent survey work on palms for planthoppers in Costa Rica resulted in the discovery of a fourth species, Oropuna halo sp. n. In this study the new species is described and a key to the four species is provided along with sequence data for the cyctochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S rRNA gene for the novel taxon.

Tico is a small genus of planthopper comprised of four species primarily known from Costa Rica, with one species known from Trinidad and Venezuela. Recent survey work has documented multiple new species from palms and other broadleaf monocots in Costa Rica. Herein, a new species, Tico villablanca sp. n., is described from palms in the Los Angeles cloud forest, Costa Rica. Novel molecular data for the 18S rRNA gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene is provided for the new species and supplements morphological support for placement in the genus Tico. An updated key is provided for the species of Tico.

Haplaxius is a large genus of New World cixiid planthoppers. The genus is of particular interest because Haplaxius crudus can transmit palm infecting phytoplasmas and the recent discovery of additional Haplaxius on palms during survey work highlights the need to fully understand the diversity of this genus on palms. Herein, a new species, Haplaxius cotinga sp. n., is described from the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. This species is most similar to H. deleter from southern Panama, from which it differs mostly by features of the male terminalia. Molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 18S rRNA, and histone 3 (H3) gene is provided and demonstrates supplemental support for placing the novel taxon in Haplaxius.

Anchimothon is a small genus of derbid planthoppers known from Mesoamerica and northern South America. Recent survey efforts in the Caribbean basin have documented many new taxa of fulgoroids from palms. During this survey, a novel taxon identified as Anchimothon was collected from palm seedlings at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Here, the novel taxon is described as A. myriei sp. n. with molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and18S rRNA providing support for placement of the new species in Anchimothon. An updated key is provided for the current species of Anchimothon.

A new species of cixiid planthopper in the genus Oecleus Stål is described from Tortuguero, Limón Province, Costa Rica. This is the first Oecleus species reported from Costa Rica. The new species, Oecleus dormido sp. n., was collected sweeping grassy edge habitat near the Caribbean coast. Sequence data for COI, 18S, and H3 was generated for phylogenetic comparison of the new species with other available Oecleus species and New World Oecleini to test genus-level placement and provide a preliminary examination of the phylogenetic relationships among New World genera of Oecleini. The results indicate that Oecleus, Haplaxius and Myxia are monophyletic, at least among the included taxa, the genera (Myxia+((Nymphocixia+Nymphomyndus)+Haplaxius) may form a clade apart from Oecleus. The monobasic genera Nymphocixia+Nymphomyndus are closely allied, with a difference of 0.98% for 18S, compared to an average of 2.2% among other included oecleine genera. In view of the limited morphological and molecular differences between these genera, we propose Nymphomyndus as a junior synonym of Nymphocixia.

Recent survey work in Costa Rica has resulted in the discovery of a wide variety of undescribed species of planthoppers in the families Derbidae and Cixiidae. During a light trapping event in the Los Angeles cloud forest, a large planthopper was collected and determined to belong to the genus Myconus in the family Achilidae. Herein, the novel taxon is described with accompanying molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and histone 3 (H3) gene and an updated key for the New World Myconus is provided.

Recently, the genus Tico Bahder & Bartlett was described as part of ongoing research focused on planthopper diversity on palms in Costa Rica to accommodate two new species and the transfer of one species from Cenchrea Westwood. Herein, a new species of Tico is described from palms and Heliconia spp. at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Placement of the novel taxon is supported by molecular analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 18S rRNA gene.

Recent survey efforts in the Neotropics have documented a variety of new species of planthoppers associated with palms. Herein, a new species, Herpis soros sp. n., is described from palms in lowland tropical rainforest from Costa Rica. Other species in the genus (H. metcalfi, H. albida, and H. fuscovittata) are evaluated to provide an updated diagnosis of the genus Herpis. The New World Phaciocephalus is examined because two species were described in the genus Herpis with P. fimbriolata being recorded for both Herpis and Phaciocephalus. After examining holotype material for the New World Phaciocephalus, two species were determined to belong to other genera resulting in new combinations Oropuna orba comb. n. and Persis (Anapersis) pallidovenosa comb. n. The synonymy of Syntames with Herpis is reviewed, with S. fuscus moved to Oropuna as Oropuna fusca comb. n. Finally, molecular analysis of the new species based on COI and 18S show strong support for H. soros sp. n. as a distinct clade relative to all other cenchreines available.

A new species of Myxia Bahder & Bartlett (Cixiidae: Cixiinae: Oecleini) is established as Myxia hernandezi sp. n. collected from native palms in cloud forest habitat in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Myxia is supported by molecular analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S loci as well as morphological characters.

Recent survey work on palms in Costa Rica has resulted in the discovery of several new species of Derbidae, especially in the Cenchreini. During a recent expedition, specimens collected by light trapping at the Hotel Villa Blanca (cloud forest) were determined to be a novel species of Omolicna Fennah. Sequence data was generated for the novel taxon for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S loci. Pairwise analyses and phylogenetic analyses support placement of the novel taxon in Omolicna.

Haplaxius is a large genus of cixiid planthoppers that is widespread in the New World and economically important due to the role of H. crudus in transmitting palm lethal decline phytoplasmas. A new species of Haplaxius, here described as Haplaxius pocococo sp. n., was discovered during survey work on palms in north-central Costa Rica. Placement in Haplaxius is supported by sequence analysis of the COI and 18S genes relative to congeners and by morphological characters.

A new species of Myxia Bahder & Bartlett (Cixiidae: Cixiinae: Oecleini) is established as Myxia baynardi sp. n. collected from native palms in cloud forest habitat in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Myxia is supported by molecular analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S loci as well as morphological characters. Haplaxius delta (Kramer) was collected along the Caribbean coast as a new country record for Costa Rica. Based on morphological characters observed and molecular analysis of COI and 18S, H. delta is herein moved to the genus Myxia.

Recent survey work for planthoppers at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica found two new species allied with Cenchrea Westwood. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S were sequenced for the new taxa and used these data to assess the genus-level standing of the new taxa. The new taxa do not cluster with Cenchrea dorsalis Westwood, the type species of Cenchrea. A new genus Tico gen. n. described for the reception of new species described as Tico emmettcarri sp. n. (the type species) and Tico pseudosororius sp. n. Cenchrea sororia Fennah is moved to Tico gen. n., to form the new combination Tico sororius (Fennah). Tico gen. n. is compared with allied genera, and review genus-level diagnostic features and the species composition of Cenchrea, which appears to be compositionally heterogenous, but additional data is needed to evaluate genus-level placement of most species.

An ongoing survey to document planthopper diversity on palms (Arecaceae) is being conducted in Costa Rica. During these efforts a new species of derbid planthopper belonging to the genus Agoo was found on Astrocaryum alatum Loomis in the Heredia province at La Selva Biological Station and is described here as Agoo luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., bringing the genus to four described taxa—A. dahliana, A. luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., A rubrimarginata, and A. xavieri. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S genes was generated for the novel taxon and strongly supports its placement in the genus Agoo.

The genus Haplaxius is a large taxon of cixiid planthoppers that is of economic importance due to the ability of Haplaxius crudus to transmit lethal yellowing in coconut palms. Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. is established as a new taxon of Cixiidae in the tribe Oecleini collected from native palms in lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Haplaxius is supported both by molecular evidence based on the COI and 18S genes as well as by morphological characters. This novel taxon was discovered during survey work in Costa Rica to look for phytoplasmas and document planthopper diversity on palms. Furthermore, Haplaxius skarphion was also collected from coconut palms during survey work and is reported for the first time in Costa Rica.

An ongoing survey for planthoppers associated with palms in the Caribbean basin is being conducted with current efforts on the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. In an expedition in June of 2019, a derbid was found on coconut palms in Alajuela province and was determined to be a new species belonging to the genus Anotia. The novel taxon is described and named Anotia firebugia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n. Additionally, molecular barcode data (COI) is provided for the newly described taxon.

An ongoing survey for novel phytoplasmas and viruses that affect palms (Arecaceae) and their potential vectors is being conducted in Costa Rica. During that survey, a new species of derbid planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) from the palm Astrocaryum alatum H.F. Loomis was found in Heredia State and is here described as Agoo dahliana sp. n. Omolicna dubia Caldwell and O. latens Fennah were also found on coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) and represent new country records. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) were generated for 9 ingroup (Omolicna Fennah) and 1 outgroup (Neocenchrea Metcalf) taxa; and for 18S ribosomal RNA gene were generated for 8 ingroup plus 2 outgroup taxa (Neocenchrea, Cenchrea Westwood). These data were compiled with available data from GenBank and BOLD for maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction for Omolicna. These results, plus morphological evidence, support changing the status of the genus-group name Agoo Bahder & Bartlett from subgenus within Omolicna to full genus, resulting in the new combination of Agoo xavieri Bahder & Bartlett. Based on the original description and illustration of the genitalia of Omolicna rubrimarginata Fennah (from Trinidad), we transfer this species to Agoo, creating the combination Agoo rubrimarginata (Fennah), and bringing the total number of species in this genus to three, with A. dahliana sp. n. and A. xavieri currently only known from Costa Rica. Based on both molecular and morphological evidence, O dubia is transferred to Anchimothon Fennah. A key to differentiate the species of Agoo is presented.

Myxia belinda gen. et sp. nov. is established for a new taxon of Cixiidae in the tribe Oecleini collected from palms in Costa Rica. The new taxon was discovered while surveying palms for potential phytoplasma vectors. Placement in a new genus is supported by a 1,383 bp sequence of 18S that differs by 2.77% from Haplaxius, 5.20% from Myndus taffini, and 2.80% from Nymphomyndus caribbea. Intrageneric variation for 18S was found to be approximately 0.5% to 0.6% within Haplaxius. Generic level differences within the Oecleini for COI ranged from 15% to 17% with the novel taxon differing by about 16% from other genera. The new genus is most similar in appearance to Haplaxius but possesses striking sexual dimorphism, and the aedeagus is only partially surrounded by the phallobase (versus entirely enveloped in Haplaxius). The discovery of a novel taxon of cixiid on palms that is similar to Haplaxius is important because of the role that Haplaxius crudus plays in phytoplasma transmission in palm agro- and natural ecosystems.

An ongoing survey for novel phytoplasmas and viruses that affect palms (Arecaceae) is being conducted in Costa Rica along with potential vectors. During that survey, a new species of derbid planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) in the genus Omolicna Fennah was detected from Heredia and Limón State and is here described as Omolicna xavieri sp. n. This new taxon was first found on declining coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) and subsequently on healthy coconut palms in Tortuguero National Park. Also, two additional species of Omolicna, O. brunnea and O. triata, were collected on coconut in the same habitat and represent new country records. There are no previously published records of Omolicna from Costa Rica. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene were obtained. In addition, novel 18S primers specific to auchenorrhynchan insects were developed and presented. The molecular data show high pairwise distances between O. xavieri sp. n. and other Omolicna species (24% to 31% and 10% using COI and 18S, respectively). Based on both morphological and sequence data, we erect and briefly describe the new subgenus Agoo for the new species to reflect the observed differences. A checklist of Omolicna species is presented.