Aleyrodes bencomiae Hernández-Suárez and Martin, 2012

Hernández-Suárez, Estrella, Martin, Jon H., Gill, Raymond J., Bedford, Ian D., Malumphy, Christopher P., Betancort, J. Alfredo Reyes & Carnero, Aurelio, 2012, 3212, Zootaxa 3212, pp. 1-76 : 13-14

Aleyrodes bencomiae Hernández-Suárez and Martin sp. n.

( Figures 10, 48–51)

PUPARIUM ( Fig. 10). Habitus. The immature stages occur scattered under leaves of host plants. Cuticle is pale, often with four discreet dark spots, two between 1 st and 2 nd abdominal segments and two in the cephalothorax ( Fig. 48). Margin. Outline elongate-oval, emarginated by leaf hairs so variably down-curved. 0.77mm long, 0.43mm wide [n=7], generally widest at abdominal segment I or II. Dorsum. Elevated from substrate and thus margin substantially deflexed especially behind vasiform orifice. Visible margin variably crenate, depending on degree of marginal deflexion; with thoracic tracheal areas not differentiated but with a distinct caudal “comb” of fine teeth. Longitudinal moulting suture reaching puparial margin; transverse moulting sutures almost reaching submarginal area. Submedian/subdorsal area of dorsal disc smooth; abdominal segmentation and meso-metathoracic division well marked and abdominal segment VII not significantly reduced in length medially; submedian abdominal depressions not evident. Vasiform orifice ( Fig. 49) subtriangular, a posterior tubercle present and inner margins of orifice lobed, orifice inset from puparial margin by its own length; operculum laterally-rounded trapezoidal, occupying half of vasiform orifice, its posterior margin finely setose; lingula head rounded, only slightly expanded, exposed. Caudal furrow present and caudal ridges well developed. Chaetotaxy. Anterior and posterior marginal setae apparently absent. Dorsal disc chaetotaxy comprises single submedian pairs of cephalic, eighth abdominal and first abdominal setae; eighth abdominal setae placed anterior to vasiform orifice; a pair of submarginallyplaced caudal setae present plus a row of fifteen submarginal setae on each side. All dorsal setae similar in length, very long, thick and rather fleshy, each with a tubercular base. Pores. Simple pores of the geminate pore/porette type present arranged in two rows on median area of abdominal segments and scattered on subdorsum and submarginal areas; porette at some distance from disc pore. Venter. Cuticle smooth, diaphanous. Ventral abdominal setae underlying vasiform orifice. Legs bisegmental and with apical adhesion pads directed anteriorly on the fore legs, and posteriorly on the middle and hind legs. Middle and hind legs each with a tiny basal seta. Antennal bases anterolateral to fore legs and extending outside prothoracic legs. Thoracic tracheal folds unpunctuated but caudal tracheal fold punctuated.

Material examined: Holotype puparium—TENERIFE: Barranco de Badajoz , Güímar, 25.i.1998 (E. Hernández-

Suárez coll.) on Bencomia caudata (Rosaceae) ( BMNH). Paratypes: [all paratypes from same host] 9 puparia, 5 third-instar nymphs same data as holotype; same data as holotype but 1 third-instar nymph and 2 second-instar nymph 11.i.1998; 10 puparia, 7 third-instar nymphs and 4 adults, same date as holotype but 25.xi.2000 (Martin #7490); 30 puparia and 25 second and third-instar nymphs 25.i.1998; 28 puparia, 8 second-instar nymphs and 1 adult 11.i.1998 (E. Hdez.); 18 adults TENERIFE: Monte de las Mercedes , El Bailadero-Punta del Hidalgo road, 26.xi.2000 ( Martin #7494); dry puparial material on leaves, Monte de las Mercedes , El Bailadero-Punta del Hidalgo road, 26.xi.2000 ( Martin #7494) and Barranco de Badajoz , Güímar , 25.xi.2000 ( Martin #7490) ( BMNH, TFMC-ENTOMO, USNM) .

Etymology: This species carries the name of its only known host, Bencomia caudata , on which it has been found several times. Bencomia caudata (Fam. Rosaceae ) is a plant endemic to the Canary Islands that is known to occur in Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma. It is present on rocky slopes and in open habitats in the evergreen laurel forest from 500 to 1500 metres.

Comments: This species is similar to Aleyrodes elevatus Silvestri ( Fig. 11), a species which occurs on Ficus carica in the Mediterranean area and whose puparia also possess long dorsal setae. The major difference is in the greater length and thickness of dorsal setae in A. bencomiae , especially in the submarginal row. The characteristics of the puparia of A. bencomiae are not entirely typical for Aleyrodes , especially the pronounced caudal furrow and unusually thickened dorsal setae. However, the unreduced median length of abdominal segment VII, combined with short and rather cordate vasiform orifice, suggest that this is the most appropriate generic placement for this species. Female and male adult genitalia are shown in Figs 50 and 51.