REVSYS: Revisionary Synthesis of the Leafhopper Tribe Empoascini (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)

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This project will use newly developed electronic tools to synthesize information on the morphology, geographic distribution, and taxonomic nomenclature for the approximately 1,000 species of the leafhopper tribe Empoascini. This leafhopper tribe is an ecologically and economically important group of plant sap-sucking insects distributed worldwide. Identification of species is currently difficult because relevant information is either scattered throughout the literature or unpublished, existing only on museum specimen labels. Specific goals of this project include (1) entering morphological and distributional data for each species into an internet-accessible relational database; (2) using the database to create on-line interactive identification keys, species descriptions, distribution maps, and tables of host-plant associations; (3) publishing traditional taxonomic monographs for genera and species of Empoascini; and, (4) upgrading taxonomic software developed as part of a previous REVSYS project to make it more versatile and user-friendly.By providing improved electronic tools for taxonomic revsionary studies, this project will help remove the taxonomic impediment to biological research by enabling taxonomists to become more efficient at producing revisions and identification keys. By synthesizing ecological data and providing the first comprehensive taxonomic treatment of this large group of plant-feeding insects, the project will facilitate detection, identification, and management of species of actual or potential economic importance.