Pseudosynaleurodicus mayoi, Gillespie, Peter S., 2006

Gillespie, Peter S., 2006, A new genus and two new species of whiteflies from Australia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Zootaxa 1306, pp. 1-23 : 12-19

Pseudosynaleurodicus mayoi sp. n.

Puparium—dorsum

Puparium pale, 824 µm long x 568 µm wide. Mature puparia tall, about as tall as wide ( Fig. 18). Thin but well defined puparial margin of several layers of irregularly placed small 'papilla­like' pores (Fig. 20). Margin at segmental joints showing gap in papillose glands (Fig. 20). No marginal modifications at caudal and tracheal openings. No compound pores present anywhere on dorsum or venter ( Figs 16, 17 , 19) No simple pores on dorsal disc. Transverse moulting sutures present reaching subdorsum, more or less straight and submedially slightly curved anteriorly ( Fig. 21 ). Longitudinal moulting suture present and reaching puparial margin (Fig. 19). Abdomen with 8 subequal segments visible medially. Segmental divisions reaching submargin (Fig. 19). Submedial depressions found in pairs on anterior margins of all body segments except I where they are displaced anteriorly and not associated with segmental margin and VIII where they occur on anterior edge of segment. Depressions roughly circular, larger depressions two to three faceted (Fig. 19). Vasiform orifice rounded and little if at all elevated. Vasiform orifice distant from posterior margin by 1.5 times orifice width (Fig. 20). Vasiform orifice recessed posteriorly to accommodate tip of lingula head. Lingula spinulose, rounded at base narrowing posteriorly to a point, exposed, apex protruding beyond vasiform orifice (Fig. 20). Lingula with one pair of long setae (Fig. 20). Operculum rounded, slightly wider than long nearly filling vasiform orifice (Fig. 20). Caudal furrow absent.

FIGURE 12. P. nigrimarginatus Chaetotaxy

Thirteen pairs of minute acuminate setae occur on the outer submargin, each pair associated with a 'segment' with exception of first cephalothoracic segment which has three or four setae (Fig. 19). Three pairs of small setae present subdorsally, one in each cephalothoracic segment (Fig. 19). Pairs of small setae present or absent from abdominal segments I and II, where present they are located sub dorsally on segment II whilst slightly more medial on segment I. Dorsal setal pair on segment VIII absent (Fig. 19). Anterior marginal setal pair lacking. Posterior marginal setal pair present and longer than all other setae.

Puparium—venter

Ventral cuticle pale. Legs two segmented, with darker cuticle than rest of venter ( Fig. 21 ). Legs with 'adhesion pads' of unusual character being pedunculate bulliform or collared organs and each with a minute terminal seta ( Fig. 21 ). Legs with two or three minute setae anteriorly at base of the segment ( Fig. 21 ) and a larger setae medial of mid and hind leg. Ventral abdominal setae present and almost as long as posterior marginal setae. Antennae short, about as long as front legs, apparently six segmented, unpigmented ( Fig. 21 ). Four pairs of ventral spiracles; two cephalothoracic and two abdominal. Anterior ventral spiracle pair placed lateral to front legs. First thoracic and second abdominal ventral spiracle pairs smaller than other spiracles. Long tracheal tubes come from the ventral spiracles into the body.

Etymology

Named after Russell Mayo, who has provided the author with encouragement and support as well as providing the entomological community with detailed skills and insights of his own.

Distribution

Australia. Western Australia.

Host Plants

Banksia petiolaris F.Muell. (Proteaceae) .

FIGURE 19. P. m a y o i FIGURE 20. P. m a y o i

Material examined

Holotype puparium slide, Western Australia, Nowergup, Neerabup National Park, ex leaves Banksia petiolaris . 27.ix.2002. 31o 38.363' S 115o 43.736' E, P.S. Gillespie ( ASCT 00024757) ( ASCU). Paratypes, 1 x slide mounted puparium ( ASCT 00024758), 6 x puparia on 4 leaves in dry collection all same collection data as holotype ( ASCT 00024756) ( ASCU); 1 x slide mounted puparium—same data as holotype ( BMNH), 1 x slide mounted puparium, Yanchep WA, Banksia petiolaris , 208 (#31) [P.J. DeBarro] ( ANIC).

Comments

Unfortunately no adults were reared from this series. As in P. nigrimarginatus , the puparia of P. m a y o i have a narrow marginal band of simple pores on an otherwise unremarkable dorsum, although abdominal divisions are conspicuous and reach the margin. Distinctive features of this species are the notched vasiform orifice which accommodates the slender spinulose lingula, and the emarginate bulla on the claws. Such features are not found in any related taxa.

Discussion

Puparia of Pseudosynaleurodicus share the following character states with Synaleurodicus : large size of puparia, elevated with high waxy palisades surrounding the lateral surfaces of the pupa, two segmented legs, segmented antennae, size and placement of ventral spiracles, shape and size of spinulose lingula, and presence of submedial depressions. The puparia for all Western Australian material of Synaleurodicus and Pseudosynaleurodicus share a similar situation, being found on the exposed dorsal leaf surfaces of the host. The host ranges are all restricted to the Proteaceae ( Hakea , Banksia and Macadamia ). Some differences of Pseudosynaleurodicus from Synaleurodicus , apart from those mentioned in the key, include presence of a notched or recessed vasiform orifice, the presence of lingula setae, and an operculum more rounded and only slightly wider than long.

Figures

FIGURE 17. P. m a y o i puparium dorsum slide image.

FIGURE 21. P. m a y o i ventral detail drawing—key 1 TS First Thoracic spiracle, 2 TS Second Thoracic spiracle, 1 AS First abdominal spiracle, A antenna, FL fore leg, HL Hind leg.