Pseudococcus sp. A

Matsunaga, Janis N., Howarth, Francis G. & Kumashiro, Bernarr R., 2019, New State Records and Additions to the Alien Terrestrial Arthropod Fauna in the Hawaiian Islands, Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 51 (1), pp. 1-71 : 10

Pseudococcus sp. A (nr. aurantiacus Williams and cryptus Hempel )

NEW STATE RECORD

Specimens of an unidentified Pseudococcus sp. A were collected from Manila palm on Oahu and betel nut palm on Hawaii within the span of four months in 2010. Populations appeared small, with only a few mature females and several immatures found on each plant. Females sat upon ovisacs similar to those of P. cryptus . It did not appear to be causing any major damage to host plants, however, in each case, individuals were commonly surrounded by other palm pests, including Fiorinia phantasma and Aleurotrachelus trachoides .

Specimens were identified by D.R. Miller as Pseudococcus sp. , apparently undescribed. According to Miller, “These specimens are very similar to P. aurantiacus Williams and might even be that species, but several details don’t fit. There are many more oral collars and multilocular pores on P. aurantiacus and the oral rims seem to be more consistently placed.” In these specimens, “the ‘oral rims’ sometimes are without obvious rims. It is also similar to P. cryptus , but has more oral collars on the thorax and head. This most likely is an introduced species, probably from Asian Pacific and needs further study.” Palm trees are commonly shipped between islands for landscaping purposes, and was the likely pathway between the two islands. This represents both a new Hawaii and U.S. record.

Collection records: OAHU, Kunia, 27.II.2010, ex. Veitchia merrillii foliage, coll. J.N. Matsunaga, det. D.R. Miller, 30.IX.2010; Kunia, 4.II.2011, ex. Cocos nucifera foliage, coll. J.N. Matsunaga, det. J.N. Matsunaga, 25.II.2011. HAWAII, Panaewa, 10.VI.2010, ex. Areca catechu foliage, coll. S. Cabral, det. D.R. Miller, 30.IX.2010. Vouchers at HDOA.