Mirococcopsis Borchsenius, 1948

Gavrilov, Ilya A., 2007, A revision of the mealybug genus Mirococcopsis Borchsenius (Homoptera: Coccinea: Pseudococcidae) based on the structure of the adult females, Zootaxa 1586, pp. 1-23 : 6-20

Subgenus Mirococcopsis Borchsenius, 1948

Type species — Mirococcopsis rubidus Borchsenius, 1948 , by original designation.

Subgeneric diagnosis. Tubular ducts narrow, usually up to 4 μm wide; only M. teberdae and M. nagyi have ducts up to 6 μm wide, but these species also have numerous narrow ducts. Trilocular ducts without strongly sclerotised rims. Translucent pores on hind coxae not numerous and never present on derm of metathorax (except M. subalpina which has several microducts on derm of metathorax near hind coxae).

2. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) ammophila Bazarov & Nurmamatov, 1975 (Fig. 2)

Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) ammophila Bazarov & Nurmamatov, 1975: 94 . Tang, 1992: 107.

Mirococcopsis brevipilosa Matesova, 1982: 59 , syn. n. Kozár & Ostafichuk, 1987: 92. Tang, 1992: 108.

Adult female. Body oval, yellow, 2–2.5 mm long and 1.3–1.5 mm wide. Eyes small, about 12 μm in diameter. Antennae 6 segmented, 275-325 μm long. Legs: hind coxae without translucent pores; trochanter + femur 185-190 μm (fore and middle legs) and 200-215 μm (hind legs), tibia + tarsus + claw 200-225 μm (fore and middle legs); 230-250 μm (hind legs). Two pairs of ostioles present. Circulus absent. Anal ring rounded, about 80 μm in diameter, with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of rather large oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi and about 7 μm in diameter), sparse on dorsum and on ventral surface of thorax and anterior abdominal sternites but forming bands on posterior 5 abdominal sternites. The number of multilocular pores apparently varies geographically and within populations ( Matesova, 1982).

Trilocular pores and simple discoidal pores of similar size, each about 4 μm in diameter, present throughout both body surfaces. Tubular ducts of two sizes, both with small collars larger ducts broad, each about 8 μm long and 4 μm wide, and smaller ducts narrow, each about 8 μm long and 3 μm wide; both types in rows and bands on dorsum and venter, these bands widening near body margin. Cerarii entirely absent. Body setae short and thin but those along body margin in a row of bigger setae, each with a broad sclerotized basal socket.

Taxonomic notes. According to the original descriptions, M. ammophila and M. brevipilosa differ from each other in the size of their setae and tubular ducts ( Bazarov & Nurmamatov, 1975; Matesova, 1982). However these differences are absent when studied with a modern microscope and the sizes of setae and ducts are equal. Other measurements given by Bazarov & Nurmamatov, and by Matesova were also incorrect. In reality, holotype of M. ammophila differs from studied females of M. brevipilosa in thicker setae along the body margin and in small differences in the sizes of the antennae, legs or some other organs but these are not enough to my mind to separate these species.

Material examined. Holotype of M. ammophila , Ψ, Tajikistan, Kuraminskii Range, near village Pangoz, on stems of Cousinia polycephala , 16.VI.1973, A. Nurmamatov.

Holotype of M. brevipilosa , Ψ, Kazakhstan, Taldy-Kurgansk Prov., Altyn-Emel’ Range, a pass near Sary- Ozek village, steppe, on roots of Erysimum diffusum , 5.VI.1963, G. Matesova.

Paratypes. 5 ΨΨ, same data as holotype but 40 km N Saratovka village, sandy plain on north foothills of Dzhungarskii Alatau, on roots of Eremostachys iliensis , 9.VI.1963.

Additional material: Moldova, Orgeev, on Minuartia setacea , 31 V 1985, Kozár & Ostafichuk, 2 Ψ. Russia, Astarkhan’, sandy semi-desert near Lake Tinaki, under the lower leaf sheaths of Prangos odontalgica , 17.V.2004, I. Gavrilov, 1Ψ.

Distribution. Moldova, the Ukraine (the Crimea), Russia (Astrakhan’), Kazakhstan (Dzhungarskii Alatau), Tajikistan.

Mode of life. On the roots and under the lower leaf sheaths of steppe and semi-desert perennial herbs ( Erysimum , Alyssum , Eremostachys , Minuartia , Prangos, Scutellaria , Cousinia, Silene ). In Tajikistan both adult females and nymphs of various stages were collected in mid-June. In Astrakhan’, adult female prior to oviposition was collected on 17 May.

g FIGURE. 2. Mirococcopsis ammophila Bazarov & Nurmamatov , Kazakhstan (paratype of M. brevipilosa Matesova ).

Fig. 3 FIGURE. 3. Mirococcopsis avetianae Ter-Grigorian , Armenia.

3. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) avetianae Ter-Grigorian, 1964 b (Fig. 3) Mirococcopsis avetianae Ter-Grigorian, 1964b: 245 ; 1973: 88.

Adult female. Body yellow, up to 3.4 mm long and 1.8 mm wide. Eyes about 25 μm in diameter. Antennae each 6, rarely 7 segmented, 280–290 μm long. Legs: trochanter + femur 170 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw 170 μm (fore legs); 185–190 μm (middle and hind legs). Hind coxae with a group of translucent microducts. Two pairs of ostioles present. Circulus oval, about 60 μm in largest diameter. Anal ring rounded, about 72 μm in diameter, with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10-14 loculi and about 10 μm in diameter) forming transverse rows and bands on abdominal sternites, and transverse rows on posterior abdominal tergites; single pores also present on ventral surface of head and thorax and on anterior abdominal segments. Trilocular pores and simple discoidal pores each about 6 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Tubular ducts of one size, each about 8 μm long and 4 μm wide, with a rather large cuticular collar, forming transverse rows on all segments both dorsally and ventrally. Cerarii absent; two thick flagellate setae present in position of each С18. Body setae short and thin.

Taxonomic notes. M. avetianae is the only species in this genus with tubular ducts with a rather large collar.

Material examined. Lectotype: Ψ designated here, “ Mirococcopsis avetianae Ter-Gr., Arm SSR [ Armenia], on roots of Thymus, V. Gukasyan, 29.VI.1954, M. Ter-Grigorian.

Paralectotypes: 2 ΨΨ, same data as for lectotype; 3 ΨΨ, Armenia, Karakhachskii pass (Gukasyan district), 24.VI.1954, M. Ter-Grigorian” slide No. 712-55.

Distribution. Armenia.

Mode of life. On roots of Agropyron , Festuca, Zerna, Thymus, Veronica in alpine, subalpine, and mountain steppe zones, up to 2000 m. All adult females were collected in late June ( Ter-Grigorian, 1973).

4. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) borchsenii ( Ter-Grigorian, 1964a), comb. n. (Fig. 4) Eumirococcus borchsenii Ter-Grigorian, 1964a: 858 ; 1973: 107. Tang, 1992: 445.

Adult female. Body rounded or broadly oval, up to 1.8 mm long and 1 mm wide. Eyes very small, about 12 μm in diameter. Antennae each 6-segmented, about 270 μm long. Legs thick, coxae without translucent pores; trochanter + femur 200-220 μm, tibia + tarsus + claw 200 μm (fore legs); 230 μm (middle); 270 μm (hind legs). Ostioles: two pairs present; very large, width more than diameter of anal ring. Circulus absent. Anal ring rounded, 62 μm in diameter, with an outer of microspines and an inner row of oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi (occasionally fewer) and each about 7 μm in diameter) forming rows on posterior 4 abdominal sternites; some pores also present on all other abdominal segments. Simple discoidal pores with unclear structure, each about 4.5 μm in diameter, and trilocular pores, each about 3 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Tubular ducts of one size without a collar, each about 8 μm long and 4.5 μm wide, numerous throughout all segments. Cerarii entirely absent. Short, thick setae present on both venter and dorsum.

Material examined. Lectotype Ψ, designated here, « Eumirococcus borchsenii Ter. Gr. , Armenia, near Sisian, on roots of Artemisia , 21.VI.1957, M. Ter-Grigorian», slide No. 349-57, 1643.

Distribution. Armenia.

Mode of life. On roots of Artemisia sp.

Fig. 4 FIGURE. 4. Mirococcopsis borchsenii (Ter-Grigorian) , Armenia.

FIGURE. 5. Mirococcopsis kalaginae , sp.n., Turkmenistan.

5. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) kalaginae , sp.n. (Fig. 5)

Adult female. Body rounded, 2.8 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. Eyes each about 25 μm in diameter. Antennae each 6 segmented, 230 μm long. Legs comparatively small; trochanter + femur about 145 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw about 160 μm (fore and middle legs); 180 μm (hind legs). Hind coxae without translucent pores. Only abdominal ostioles present. Circulus absent. Anal ring oval, 70 μm in largest diameter, very characteristic, with anterior and middle pairs of anal ring setae situated close together, with outer row with 7 or 8 microspines on each side; inner row of cells only. Multilocular pores (each with 6-10 loculi and about 8 μm in diameter) forming transverse rows on last abdominal sternites and very sparsely on remaining body surfaces. Trilocular pores, each about 4 μm in diameter, present throughout both body surfaces. Simple discoidal pores, each about 4 μm in diameter, present sparsely on both surfaces of body. Tubular ducts of one size, without a collar, each 10-12 μm long and 2 μm wide, present on all segments, becoming more abundant on abdominal segments. Cerarii absent; with three long thin flagellate setae present in position of each С18, one distinctly larger than other two. Body setae short and thin.

Taxonomic notes. This new species differs from the other species in the genus in the structure of anal ring, which has the anterior and middle pairs of anal ring setae very close together, and in the structure of the tubular ducts (which are long and thin, only 2 μm wide).

Material examined. Holotype Ψ: Turkmenistan, Kara-Kala, Igdedzhik canyon, Artemisia sp., 9.V.1993, G. Kalagina, slide No. 38-93.

Distribution. Turkmenistan, type locality only.

Mode of life. Only known off Artemisia sp.

Etymology. The species is named in honour of the collector of material, G. Kalagina.

6. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) longipilosa Matesova, 1982 (Fig. 6) Mirococcopsis longipilosa Matesova, 1982: 60 . Tang, 1992: 109.

Adult female. Body broadly oval, up to 3.5 mm long and 2 mm wide. Eyes absent. Antennae each 6 segmented, about 425 μm long. Legs rather large; hind coxae without translucent pores; trochanter + femur 280 μm (fore and middle legs); 300 μm (hind legs), tibia + tarsus + claw 300 μm (fore and middle legs); 340 μm (hind legs). Two pairs of ostioles present. Circulus absent. Anal ring rounded, 90 μm in diameter, with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi and about 7 μm in diameter) forming broad bands on posterior 4 abdominal sternites; also occasionally present on ventral surface of thorax and anterior abdominal and on abdominal tergites. Trilocular pores, each about 4 μm in diameter, present throughout both body surfaces. Simple discoidal pores each 2–4 μm in diameter, present throughout both body surfaces. Tubular ducts of two sizes present, both with small collars, larger ducts each about 9 μm long and 3 μm wide, and smaller ducts each about 8 μm long and 2.5 μm wide; both present in rows and bands on all segments; on tergites, frequency of ducts increases from hind to fore end of body. Cerarii entirely absent. Flagellate setae of two main sizes: short setae (each 10-17 μm long) present throughout both surfaces; long setae (each 160–200 μm long) forming transverse rows on all segments and in a broad band along body margin.

Material examined. Holotype Ψ, Kazakhstan, Kzyl-Ordinskaya Prov., right bank of Syr-Dar’ya River, near station Dzhusaly, Haloxylon communities, on roots of Kochia prostrata , 22.V.1967, G. Matesova

Paratype Ψ, same data as holotype, but to North of Dzhusaly station, saline land, on root of Salsola arbuscula , 21 V 1967, G. Matesova.

Distribution. Kazakhstan.

Mode of life. On roots of Kochia and Salsola .

Fig. 6 FIGURE. 6. Mirococcopsis longipilosa Matesova , Kazakhstan.

Fig. 7 FIGURE. 7. Mirococcopsi nagyi Kozár , Hungary.

7. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) nagyi Kozár, 1981 (Fig. 7)

Mirococcopsis nagyi Kozár, 1981: 315 . Kosztarab & Kozár, 1988: 112.

Adult female. Body elongate oval, up to 6 mm long and 2 mm wide ( Kozár, 1981). Eyes large, about 30 μm in diameter. Antennae each 8 segmented, about 240 μm long. Legs comparatively small; all three pairs of similar size; trochanter + femur 150 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw 150–160 μm. Hind coxae without translucent pores. Abdominal ostioles only present. Circulus absent. Anal ring of horseshoe form, about 60 μm wide, with a short outer row of microspines present between dorsal two pairs of anal ring setae, and an inner row of oval cells on each side. Multilocular pores (each with an eccentric inner pore, 10 loculi and about 10 μm in diameter), restricted to rows on posterior 4 abdominal sternites and sparsely on posterior abdominal tergites. Simple discoidal pores absent. Trilocular pores each about 5 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Spiracles, especially posterior pair, with large peritremes (about 50 μm wide). Tubular ducts of two sizes present, both with small collars: larger ducts broad, each about 8 μm long and 6 μm wide; small ducts narrow, of similar length, but 4 μm wide; distribution uncertain but probably present mainly on venter and along body margin. Cerarii absent but with two thin flagellate setae (similar to those elsewhere on body) and two trilocular pores present in position of each С18. Body setae short and thin.

Material examined. Paratype Ψ, Hungary, “Vértes”, under the leaf sheaths of Stipa pennata , 15.VI.1980, F. Kozár.

Distribution. Switzerland, Hungary, Italy (Scalenet: www.sel.barc.usda.gov/scalenet/scalenet.htm, on March, 1, 2007).

Mode of life. Under the leaf sheaths of Stipa .

8. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) rubida Borchsenius, 1948 (Fig. 8) Mirococcopsis rubida Borchsenius, 1948: 582 ; 1949: 169. Tang, 1992: 106.

Adult female. Body in life crimson, elongate, up to 3 mm long and 1.2 mm wide. Eyes small, 18–20 μm in diameter. Antennae each 7 segmented, 230-240 μm long. Legs thin; hind coxae with translucent pores; trochanter + femur 150–170 μm, tibia + tarsus + claw 160 μm (fore legs); 180 μm (middle); 200 μm (hind legs). Two pairs of ostioles present. Circulus absent. Anal ring rounded, 63 μm in diameter, reduced, with a few small cells only; microspines absent and anal ring setae short. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi and about 7 μm in diameter) forming sparse transverse rows on abdominal segments and in a band along body margin on both dorsum and venter. Trilocular pores, each about 3.5 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Simple discoidal pores absent. Tubular ducts of one size, with cuticular sclerotization around the duct openings, each about 6 μm long and 3 μm wide, forming a band along abdomen margin and transverse rows on abdominal segments; otherwise sparse on both body surfaces. Cerarii absent, but with two long flagellate setae present in position of each С18. Short, thin flagellate setae sparsely present everywhere on body.

Material examined. Lectotype Ψ, here designated “ Mirococcopsis rubidus Borchs. , Tajikistan, Shaartuzskii district, near Aiwadzh village, bank of Amu-Dar’ya River, on stems of wild cereal, 17.VI.1944, N. Borchsenius», slide No. 23-45.

Paralectotypes: 1 Ψ on slide with lectotype plus 6 ΨΨ on slides with same collector’s data as holotype.

Additional material: 2 ΨΨ, Uzbekistan, the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, Ak-Tau, meadow near spring, under the leaf sheaths of Aeluropus littoralis , 10.V.1965, E. Danzig.

Distribution. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.

Mode of life. Under the leaf sheaths of Aeluropus and probably, other Poaceae . This species is ovoviviparous; embryos with developed antennae and legs are present inside slide-mounted females.

Fig. 8 FIGURE. 8. Mirococcopsis rubida Borchsenius , Uzbekistan, the Kyzyl-Kum Desert.

Fig. 9 FIGURE. 9. Mirococcopsis subalpina (Danzig) , the North Caucasus, Teberda.

9. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) subalpina ( Danzig, 1985) (Fig. 9) Trionymus subalpinus Danzig, 1985: 116 .

Mirococcopsis subalpinus, Tang, 1992: 112 ; Danzig, 1997: 95.

Adult female. Body elongate oval, up to 4 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. Eyes about 25 μm in diameter. Antennae each 6 segmented, 260-275 μm long. Legs thin; hind coxae with numerous short translucent microducts; also separate microducts present on derm of metathorax near hind coxa; trochanter + femur 170 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw 170 μm (fore and middle legs); 220 μm (hind legs). Two pairs of ostioles present, barely visible, each with few trilocular pores. Circulus small, oval, about 25 μm wide and 15 μm long. Anal ring rounded, about 60 μm in diameter, consisting of two, widely separated halves, each with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi and about 8 μm in diameter) forming a band along entire ventral margin of body but extending onto dorsum on abdominal segments and metathorax; also present sparsely ventrally along posterior margins of more posterior abdominal segments. Trilocular pores, each about 4 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Simple discoidal pores absent. Tubular ducts slightly variable in size, with cuticular sclerotization around the duct openings, mainly about 7 μm long and 3 μm wide, forming a band along abdominal margin and transverse rows on posterior 4 or 5 abdominal segments. With two thick setae and 3–5 trilocular pores in position of each С18. Body setae short and thin.

Material examined. Holotype Ψ, Russia, North Caucasus, Teberda, Malaya Khatipara, 2350 m high, steppe meadow, under the leaf sheath of wild cereal, 14.VII.1982, E. Danzig.

Paratype ΨΨ, same data as holotype but under the leaf sheath of Bromus variegatus, E. Danzig. Additional material. Canyon of Gonachkir River, North shelter, 2000 m, under the leaf sheath of wild cereal, 25.VI.1982, E. Danzig.

Distribution. North Caucasus.

Mode of life. Under the leaf sheaths of Bromus and other Poaceae .

10. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) subterranea (Newstead) , comb. n. (Fig. 10) Ripersia subterranea Newstead, 1893: 79 .

Chnaurococcus subterraneus (Newstead) , Williams, 1962: 17; Kosztarab & Kozár, 1988: 86. Ripersia formicarii Newstead, 1907: 5 .

Pseudococcus parvus Borchsenius, 1949: 158 .

Chnaurococcus parvus Ter-Grigorian, 1973: 77 ; Tereznikova, 1975: 173; Matesova, 1968: 105. Ripersia corynephori (non Signoret, 1875): Kiritshenko, 1940: 124. Trionymus subterraneus (Newstead) , Danzig, 1997; Tang, 1992: 190. Mirococcopsis sp., Gavrilov, 2003: 109.

Adult female. Body rounded or broadly oval, 1.5–2 mm long and 1–1.3 mm wide. Eyes comparatively small, about 20 μm in diameter. Antennae 6 or sometimes 7 segmented, 240-280 μm long. Legs thick, all three pairs of similar size; trochanter + femur about 150 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw 170-180 μm. A few translucent discoidal pores present on hind coxae or these pores absent entirely; this character varies between populations as reported earlier by E.M. Danzig (1997). Two pairs of ostioles present. Circulus absent. Anal ring rounded, about 67 μm wide, with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 loculi and about 7 μm in diameter) forming rows on posterior 4 abdominal sternites; also sparse on remainder of ventral abdominal surface. Trilocular pores each about 3 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Simple discoidal pores each about 3 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces, but frequency varying between populations. Tubular ducts of one type, without collar, each about 7 μm long and 3 μm wide, present on ventral surface of abdomen only. Cerarii absent but with2 or 3 setae and several trilocular pores present in position of each С18; these setae vary significantly between populations, some having thick, almost conical setae (but a curved or piliform apex) to others with thin flagellate setae. Short, thick flagellate setae present on both body surfaces.

Material examined. 4 ΨΨ from Poland, 7 ΨΨ from Voronezh Province of Russia, 5 ΨΨ from North Caucasus, 9 ΨΨ from Armenia, and 12 ΨΨ from Kazakhstan.

Fig. 10

A B FIGURE. 10. Mirococcopsis subterranea (Newstead) comb. n., Voronezh. A, female morphology; B, karyotype, 2n=10.

Taxonomic notes. This species is similar to M. borchsenii but differs in having fewer tubular ducts and multilocular pores, restricted to the posterior abdominal sternites only. A description of crawler was given by Ter-Grigorian (1973).

Distribution. Europe, where widely distributed, and the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, North China (Inner Mongolia).

Mode of life. On thin roots of Festuca , Koeleria , Phragmites , Poa , Stipa and other Poaceae , and also on perennial herbs ( Centaurea, Trifolium , Filipendula and others).

11. Mirococcopsis (Mirococcopsis) teberdae ( Danzig, 1985) (Fig. 11) Trionymus teberdae Danzig, 1985: 116 .

Mirococcopsis teberdae (Danzig) : Tang, 1992: 113; Danzig, 1997: 95.

Adult female. Body broadly oval, up 4 mm long and 2 mm wide. Eyes about 25 μm in diameter. Antennae 6 segmented, about 275 μm. Legs comparatively small; trochanter + femur 170 μm; tibia + tarsus + claw 175 μm (fore legs); 185 μm (middle); 200 μm (hind legs). Hind coxae with numerous translucent discoidal pores. Two pairs of ostioles present, each with few trilocular pores. Circulus small, rounded, about 40 μm in diameter. Anal ring rounded, about 90 μm in diameter, with an outer row of microspines and an inner row of oval cells. Multilocular pores (each with 10 or 11 loculi and about 7 μm diameter) forming transverse rows on both surfaces of abdominal segments; pores also sparse along whole body margin. Trilocular pores, each about 4 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Simple discoidal pores each about 3 μm in diameter, present throughout both surfaces. Tubular ducts, with cuticular sclerotization around the duct openings of two sizes: larger ducts broad, each about 10 μm long and 6 μm wide, distributed along body margin and forming transverse rows on all tergites; smaller ducts narrow, of similar length to larger ducts, but about 4 μm wide, absent dorsally but in transverse rows and bands on sternites ventrally. Cerarii absent, but with two long, thin, flagellate setae and 3 or 4 trilocular pores present in position of each С18.

Material examined. Holotype Ψ, Russia, North Caucasus, Teberda, Malaya Khatipara, 2300 m, on roots of poaceous plant

Paratypes: 5 ΨΨ, same data as holotype, 13 and 14.VII.1982, E. Danzig.

Distribution. Russia, North Caucasus.

Mode of life. It lives on the roots of the host plant.