Aleurodicus septatissimus, Martin, 2008

Martin, Jon H., 2008, A revision of Aleurodicus Douglas (Sternorrhyncha, Aleyrodidae), with two new genera proposed for palaeotropical natives and an identification guide to world genera of Aleurodicinae, Zootaxa 1835 (1), pp. 1-100 : 41-42

Aleurodicus septatissimus sp. nov.

(Figs. 48, 49)

PUPARIUM. Habitus. Unknown. Margin. Outline oval, 1.61 mm long, 1.14–1.18 mm wide, generally widest at abdominal segment II/III (n=3). Margin rather variably crenulate, caused by proximity of outer-submarginal double-rimmed septate pores. Dorsum. Cuticle slightly pigmented, brownish, in dorsal disc area of thorax with pigmentation rhachis-like in appearance on abdominal segments II–VI. Longitudinal moulting suture reaching puparial margin; transverse moulting sutures faintly marked almost to puparial margin. Abdominal segment VII much reduced medially, less than half median length of segment VI. Vasiform orifice broadly cordate, wider than long, smooth; operculum trapezoidal, surface roughened-granular, its posterior margin faintly convex and bearing a pair of stout setae; lingula head elongate-oval, densely covered by seta-like spinules, bearing the normal 4 stout setae; lingula extending about half way from posterior margin of vasiform orifice to puparial margin. Chaetotaxy. A pair of posterior marginal setae the longest on puparium, up to 120µ long; eighth abdominal setae present anterior to vasiform orifice, similar to 12 pairs of submarginal setae, all very fine (Fig. 48) except for nominal caudal pair which are more robust and similar to posterior marginals; submarginals not, or hardly, reaching puparial margin; 3 pairs of submedian thoracic setae present, very small and fine, cephalic pair wanting. Pores. Cephalic and anterior 4 pairs of abdominal compound pores all similar, largest (usually on abdominal segment III) up to 55µ in outer diameter; axial processes of large compound pores, faintly indicated, apically rounded and extending only slightly beyond pore mouth. 2 pairs of very small compound pores present, 1 pair each on abdominal segments VII and VIII, only about 20µ in diameter. Immediately within puparial margin are 2 ranks of large double-rimmed septate pores, outer rim of each pore contiguous with pores in adjacent rank and with neighbouring pores in same rank (Figs 48, 49); remainder of dorsal disc with numerous small septate pores; subdorsal region of abdominal segments III–VII (ends of the pigmented apparent rhachis arms) with loose groupings of tiny wide-rimmed bright pores, these more sparse on segment VII. Venter. Ventral characteristics typical for Aleurodicus .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. Holotype puparium, PERU (intercepted at Miami, U.S.A.), on unidentified Orchidaceae , 11.viii.1965 (Buff, 35932, 65-16856) ( USNM). Paratypes: 2 puparia, same data as holotype, on same slide ( USNM) .

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet a noun in aposition, created to reflect the extreme density of septate pores.

COMMENTS. The three specimens of A. septatissimus are unlike those of any other known species of Aleurodicus , possessing a complete double-ranked outer-submarginal row of large double-rimmed septate pores that are almost contiguous. Its affinities appear to lie with the members of the capiangae / dugesii species-group. As with any species known only from quarantine interceptions, the precise geographical location of its domicile remains unknown.