Minutaleyrodes andamanensis, Dubey, 2020

Dubey, Anil Kumar, 2020, Revision of the genus Minutaleyrodes Jesudasan and David (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) with descriptions of two new species from the Little Andaman Island, India, Zootaxa 4748 (2), pp. 315-333 : 318-322

Minutaleyrodes andamanensis sp. nov.

( Figs 2, 3 , 6–23 )

Puparium. In life, white, silver shiny, wax deposited at anterior end, cephalic and metathoracic region, median and broader abdominal area ( Fig. 2 ); constricted from prothoracic region to cephalic margin and from abdominal segment VII to caudal margin ( Figs 3 , 6 , 9 ); female puparia 600–650 µm long, 450–520 µm wide; male puparia 560–580 µm long, 425–450 µm wide; found singly, on lower surface of leaves; only one puparium found per leaf.

Margin. Smooth ( Figs 7 , 14 ); thoracic tracheal pore indicated as small C-shaped invagination, caudal tracheal pore deeply invaginated.

Dorsum. Submargin with a row of conical papillae, prominent on cephalic and abdominal submargin ( Figs 7 , 12, 13 ), papillae slightly broader on abdomen. Row of 7 pairs of minute setae on submargin: 2 pairs on prothorax, 1 pair on metathorax, 1 pair on each abdominal segment II and VII, and 2 pairs on caudal area. The shape of these setae varies considerably, being capitate or blunt or swollen (deformed) in middle ( Figs 17–20 ). Longitudinal moulting suture reaching margin and transverse moulting suture reaching submedian area. Cephalus and metathorax each with 1 pair of enlarged tubercles present submedially ( Figs 3 , 10 ), distorted when slide-mounted and appearing as if composed of concentric loops ( Fig. 3 ). Microtubercles present in small groups on submedian area of prothorax, mesothorax and abdominal segments I–VII ( Fig. 10 ), and transverse groups on the posterior margin of the abdominal segment sutures ( Figs 9, 10 ). Cephalothorax medially longer than the abdomen; female cephalothorax and abdomen 310–325 µm and 300–325 µm long, respectively; male cephalothorax and abdomen 295–300 µm and 265–275 µm, respectively. Abdominal segments I–VIII median length (A1–A8): A1: 32–33, A2: 27–28, A3: 25–26, A4: 25–26, A5: 25–26, A6: 25–26, A7: 22–23, A8: 27 µm. Median tubercles present on abdominal segments, prominent on segments III–VI ( Fig. 10 ). Thoracic tracheal furrows absent; caudal tracheal furrow present; caudal ridges strongly rugose, terminating at submargin, apically with 1 pair of submarginal caudal setae ( Fig. 11 ), furrow 37–43 µm long. Geminate pores present ( Fig. 16 ); pore-porette centers separated by width of large pore ( Fig. 16 ).

Vasiform orifice. Elongate-subcordate ( Fig. 15 ); posterior end open, orifice floor with numerous finger-like microtrichia ( Figs 8 , 15 ); 35–43 µm long, 35–38 µm wide in female; 30–37 µm long, 35–37 µm wide in male; operculum sub-quadrate, apically blunt (= apical border straight), apical margin with tuft of microtrichia, almost covering the orifice (sub-occludes orifice) ( Figs 8 , 15 ), 25–30 µm long, 27–30 µm wide in female; 22–28 µm long, 22–25 µm wide in male.

Venter. Smooth ( Fig. 21 ), granular on subventral area; submarginal area not differentiated by a fold, submarginal area with a series of small lines ( Figs 22, 23 ). Submargin indicated by linear striations perpendicular to margin, submarginal fold absent. Thoracic ( Fig. 22 ) and caudal tracheal folds indicated with fine granules; 1 pair of ventral abdominal setae present. Adhesive sacs and spiracles present.

Chaetotaxy. Cephalic setae present on large tubercle, 7 µm long. Eighth abdominal setae anterior to the base of vasiform orifice, apically blunt or slightly capitate, 7 µm long. Caudal setae on caudal ridge, 9 µm long. First abdominal setae absent. Submargin with 7 pairs of minute setae, 7–9 µm long.

Material examined: Holotype, India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Little Andaman, Whisper waterfall trail, one puparium on slide, on Aporosa octandra , 13.ix.2018, A.K. Dubey ( ZSI).

Paratypes. Six puparia on six slides, data same as of holotype ( NFIC-FRI 1 ) .

Host plant. Phyllanthaceae : Aporosa octandra (Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don) Vickery.

Etymology. The new species is named after the collection locality in Andaman Islands, Little Andaman.

Distribution. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Little Andaman.

Remarks. The pronounced marginal constriction in the thoracic and posterior abdominal areas, greatly enlarged cephalic tubercles, submarginal row of setae, submarginal papillae and ventral surface of the vasiform orifice invested with elongate microtrichia, and ventral submarginal striations, distinguish this species from all other Minutaleyrodes species ( Fig. 23 ).

Figures

FIGURE 2–5. Habitus and holotype: 2, M. andamanensis sp. nov., habitus; 3, same, holotype; 4, M. whisper sp. nov., habitus; 5, same, holotype.

FIGURES 6–8. Line drawings, holotype, M. andamanensis sp. nov., 6, puparium; 7, margin; 8, posterior abdominal area (drawn from SEM image) (SMS—submarginal seta).

FIGURES 9–15. SEM microphotographs, M. andamanensis sp. nov., 9, puparium, dorsal view; 10, posterior abdominal area; 11, vasiform orifice and caudal furrow; 12, submarginal papillae; 13, margin; 14, same; 15, vasiform orifice.

FIGURES 16–23. SEM microphotographs, M. andamanensis sp. nov., 16, geminate pore; 17–20, submarginal seta; 17, capitate; 18, deformed; 19, blunt; 20, blunt; 21–23, ventral view; 21, puparium; 22, cephalothoracic legs, margin; 23, thoracic tracheal fold.