Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin

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

Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin

(Figs 12, 14–16, 32)

Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, 2004: 29 . Holotype puparium, Belize [BMNH, examined].

DISTRIBUTION. Neotropical Region – Belize, Guatemala, Mexico.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. Type material as detailed in description, Belize, Mexico ( BMNH, USNM); non-type material – 2 puparia, 3 adult females, Guatemala, on palm, 18.iii.1913 (E. Bethel / Quaintance #8826) ( USNM); several samples, Mexico, on Caryocar amygdaliferon , Cocos nucifera, Melia sp, Musa sp. , Persea americana and Psidium guajava , various dates and collectors ( USNM).

COMMENTS. The lingular apex of this species is atypical for Aleurodicus , being narrowly acute, its 4 setae situated very close to the apex (Fig. 16). The subtle reticulate patterning of the cuticle in the cephalothorax and abdominal subdorsum (Figs 14, 15), seen in many specimens, is also unusual as is the sometimes extensive dark, cloudy cuticular pigmentation seen in some individual puparia. A. rugioperculatus is most similar to A. niveus (also described from Belize) and may be distinguished from it by use of the key to species of Aleurodicus , couplets 30-31, p. 19.