Poliaspis exocarpi Maskell

Hardy, Nate & Henderson, Rosa C., 2011, Revision of Poliaspis (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Diaspididae), with descriptions of 8 new species from Australia, ZooKeys 137, pp. 1-40 : 9-10

Poliaspis exocarpi Maskell Fig. 7

Poliaspis exocarpi Maskell, 1892: 17.

Material examined.

Lectotype: female, here designated to preserve nomenclatural stability. On an original slide labelled " Poliaspis exocarpi , adult female, 1891, W.M.M.". AUSTRALIA, Mordialloc [-38.00, 145.09], near Melbourne, on Exocarpus cupressiformis , by Mr. French (NZAC). Paralectotypes: (i) 1 female, slide label data as above (NZAC); (ii) (not examined) 1 (BMNH); 12 (USNM).

Other material: QLD. 1 adult female: Amamoor [-26.35, 152.68], ex pumpkin, 8.12.1927, H 151a (QDPI); 1 adult female: Amamoor [-26.35, 152.68], ex Cucurbita maxima , 12.12.1927, H 151b (QDPI); 13 adult females: Bamaga [-10.89, 142.39], on leaves of Asteromyrtus lysicephala , 10.9.1983, J Donaldson (QDPI); 3 adult females: Chinchilla [-26.74, 150.63], ex Eremocitrus glauca , 1.12.1981, J Baker (QDPI); 9 adult females: Dalby-Tara-St George Road Junction, on stems of Apophyllum anomalum , 21.11.1985, J Donaldson (QDPI); 4 adult females: Dauan Island [-9.43, 142.53], on leaves, 25.6.1995, J Grimshaw, JFG 2722 (QDPI); 4 adult females: Drillham [-26.64, 149.98], on leaves of Geijera parviflora , 30.4.1953, A Brimblecombe (QDPI); 7 adult females: Emu Vale [-28.23, 152.25], ex Euroschinus falcata , 12.2.1939, A Brimblecombe, 399 (QDPI); 13 adult females: Fletcher [-28.77, 151.87], ex Jacksonia scoparia , 11.1949, (QDPI); 4 adult females: Gabba Island [-9.77, 142.63], on leaves of Exocarpus latiflolius , 13.6.2000, J Grimshaw, JFG 5107 (QDPI); 4 adult females: Gabba Island [-9.77, 142.63], on leaves of Exocarpus latiflolius , 4.6.2003, J Grimshaw (QDPI); 1 adult female: Hopevale [-15.29, 145.11], ex Cycas sp., 6.6.2000, B Waterhouse, JFG 5380 (QDPI); 10 adult females: Imbil [-26.47, 152.7], ex Euroschinus falcata , 10.1936 (QDPI); 7 adult females: Jandowae [-26.78, 151.11], on leaves of Eremocitrus glauca , 26.6.1989, J McAlpine, N5149 (QDPI); 3 adult females: Lake Broadwater Conservation park [-27.35, 151.1], on leaves of Amyema congener , 21.11.1985, J Donaldson (QDPI); 5 adult females: Punsand Bay [-10.87, 142.39], on leaves of Garcinia warvenii , 24.7.2003, J Grimshaw, (QDPI); 7 adult females: Texas [-28.85, 151.17], ex Geijera parviflora , 10.1954, A Brimblecombe (QDPI); 2 adult females: Yarraman [-26.84, 151.98], ex Xanthoxylon brachyacanthum , 6.6.1947, A Brimblecombe, IIE number 1283/10665 (BMNH). VIC. 3 adult females: Dandenong Range [-37.83, 145.35], ex Exocarpus stricta , E Green, BM Reg. Number 1926-415 (BMNH).

Description, n=10.

Slide-mounted adult female 847-1544 μm long, body outline pyriform to fusiform, with weakly-developed lobes on pre-pygidial abdominal segments. Pygidium with 2 pairs of lobes; median lobes zygotic, parallel, each lobe about as wide as long, with pointed apex, 1-2 notches present in some specimens; margin between median lobes weakly incised; second lobe bi-lobed, lobules similar in size, medial lobule with basal sclerosis. Gland spines 27-43 μm long, about 4-5 × length of median lobes, 1 gland spine on lateral margin of each pygidial segment; pair of setae between median lobes. Dorsal ducts smaller than marginal ducts; present in transverse linear rows; 2-5 submedial ducts present on segment 6; ca. 4 submarginal and ca. 4 submedial ducts on segment 5. Perivulvar pores: 1-3 posteromedial, 6-15 posterolateral, 12-24 posterior, 2-3 anteromedial, and 2-7 anterolateral. Trilocular pores in cluster of 1-8 near anterior spiracle; 0-3 around posterior spiracle. Microducts scattered on dorsal surface of head, plus ventral surface of abdomen. Antenna with 1 fleshy seta.

Comments.

Poliaspis exocarpi is far and away the most polyphagous and wide spread species of Poliaspis in Australia. There is also a considerable amount of morphological variation present among samples (e.g. the number of submedial ducts on dorsum of abdominal segment 6). The relatively small size of the median lobes (smaller than or equal in size to second lobes) and the relatively long size of the gland spines (up to 43 μm, about 5 × length of medial lobes) are also diagnostic.