Aims: Mexico harbours a diverse fauna comprising more than 1,400 leafhopper species, 60% of which appear to be strictly endemic, with many apparently restricted to particular habitats and host plants. The aims of this study were to identify areas of high species richness and endemism, and determine the biogeographic affinities of species in the diverse arboreal tribe Athysanini to provide data useful for conservation prioritization.Location: Mexico.Methods: A data set of 643 historical occurrence records based on authoritatively identified specimens from museums, recent fieldwork, literature and digital repositories was analysed. Analyses of species richness and areas of endemism were conducted using geographic information systems.Results: A total of 164 species belonging of 50 genera were included, of which 145 species of 31 genera are considered to be endemic. The Mexican state of Guerrero yielded the most species records (48%). The highest numbers of taxa and endemic species were concentrated along the Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ) within which the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TVB) province had the most species records. Endemicity analyses showed two different geographical patterns but similar species richness weights with overlapping values over the MTZ. Distribution across vegetation types was not uniform, with most athysanine species concentrated in the dry tropical forest (65%). Species were documented at elevations between sea level and 3,200 m a.s.l. with three altitudinal preference classes. Conservation assessments applying IUCN criteria categorized a majority of species (145) as endangered or critically endangered.Main conclusions: Our findings suggest that most identified areas of high species richness throughout the territory have predominantly endemic taxa. Distributional patterns found are non‐random, influenced by richness and endemism values over the TVB province and in the MTZ with a variable dispersion among species. Data highlight a greatly threatened status by habitat loss, remarking an urgent need for an improved conservation framework.

Tropical forests cover 7% of the earth's surface and hold 50% of known terrestrial arthropod species. Alarming insect declines resulting from human activities have recently been documented in temperate and tropical ecosystems worldwide, but reliable data from tropical forests remain sparse. The sap-sucking tribe Athysanini is one herbivore group sensitive to anthropogenic perturbation and the largest within the diverse insect family Cicadellidae distributed in America's tropical forests. To measure the possible effects of deforestation and related activities on leafhopper biodiversity, a survey of 143 historic collecting localities was conducted to determine whether species documented in the Mexican dry tropical forests during the 1920s to 1940s were still present. Biostatistical diversity analysis was performed to compare historical to recent data on species occurrences. A data matrix of 577 geographical records was analysed. In total, 374 Athysanini data records were included representing 115 species of 41 genera. Historically, species richness and diversity were higher than found in the recent survey, despite greater collecting effort in the latter. A strong trend in species decline was observed (−53%) over 75 years in this endangered seasonally dry ecosystem. Species completeness was dissimilar between historic and present data. Endemic taxa were significantly less important and represented in the 1920s–1940s species records. All localities surveyed in the dry tropical forest are disturbed and reduced by modern anthropogenic processes. Mexico harbours highly endemic leafhopper taxa with a large proportion of these inhabiting the dry forest. These findings provide important data for conservation decision making and modelling of distribution patterns of this threatened seasonally dry tropical ecosystem.

The taxonomy of the leafhopper genus Draeculacephala Ball in Mexico is revised. A new species, D. quetzalcoatli sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Chiapas state. In addition, D. albipicta Dietrich is recorded for first time occurring in the country. Eight species are recognized, and updated distribution data are provided. A key to all Mexican species is also given.

Three new Neotropical athysanine (Deltocephalinae) leafhopper genera, Spaltumtettix Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich gen. nov., Pseudonapo Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich gen. nov., and Goiattus Pinedo-Escatel gen. nov., and 4 new species, S. coloradus Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Peru), P. waorani Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Ecuador), P. huanucensis Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Peru), and G. reyesi Pinedo-Escatel sp. nov. (Brazil), are described and illustrated. In addition, the genera Zabrosa Oman, Napo Linnavuori & DeLong, Pseudalaca Linnavuori and Brazosa Oman are revised and redescribed. Six new species are described in Brazosa: B. campinacu Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Brazil), B. espatula Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Brazil), B. encrustada Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Brazil), B. mildredireanae Pinedo-Escatel sp. nov. (Peru), B. negra Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Peru and Bolivia) and B. beni Pinedo-Escatel & Dietrich sp. nov. (Bolivia). Brazosa caesarea Linnavuori & Heller comb. nov. is transferred to Spaltumtettix. The South American species Z. aquareza Linnavuori & DeLong syn. nov. is proposed as junior synonym of Z. unicampi Menezes. Keys to species of each genus are provided. Unusual aspects of the morphology of these genera are discussed and a comparative table is provided.

Three new species of the endemic leafhopper genus Devolana are described based from Sierra de Tuxcacuesco (Jalisco), Iguala and Zincauro (Guerrero), Mexico. Overall habitus and genital characteristics are extensively illustrated. A map of the known distribution and habitat images are included. A key to known species of Devolana is provided. The studied area and biodiversity implications for arboreal leafhoppers are discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AD0A0D58-E4EF-4882-B6DB-6BDA5F8404EA http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:82E285C1-F50D-42A6-BA35-F56BF54631CB http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:ECFF00AE-3E75-4EA3-9FAC-29E418556177