On Paraphrodes flavigerus (Evans) with a new synonymy of Paraphrodini with Chiasmini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Characters of the female genitalia (pygofer, first, second and third valvulae) of Paraphrodes flavigerus (Evans) are described for the first time. These observations suggest that the genus belongs in Chiasmini. It is placed in this tribe, placement n., resulting in the recognition of Paraphrodini Linnavuori 1979 as a junior synonym of Chiasmini Distant 1908, syn. n. Observations of males of P. flavigerus from four countries (Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Africa) revealed a substantial amount of morphological variation. The specimen from Guinea shows some unique character states which differentiate it from specimens from other locations. Previous and recent classifications and phylogenetic analyses regarding Eupelix Germar, Baikyus Singh-Pruthi, Gurawa Distant and Paraphrodes Linnavuori are discussed along with the similarity found in the metatibial apical pecten in Gurawa (Chiasmini) and Eupelix (Eupelicini). New records for P. flavigerus from South Africa are recorded.