Ovaticoccus eriogoni (Miller) Miller & Stocks, 2022

Miller, Douglass R. & Stocks, Ian C., 2022, New genera and species of felt scales (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae), with descriptions of new species and immature instars of described species, Zootaxa 5221 (1), pp. 1-213 : 118-120

Ovaticoccus eriogoni (Miller) comb. n.

Oregmopyga eriogoni Miller in Miller and McKenzie 1967: 491.

Specimens examined: UNITED STATES: California: Los Angeles Co.: 4 mi. N. Castaic , VI-19-1964, on Eriogonum sp. , D.R. Miller (1 ad. ♀, 1 second-instar ♀ on 2 slides) UCD ; Riverside Co.: Poppet, 2 mi. N. Poppet Flats , Highway 243, IV-20-1999, on Eriogonum sp. , I. Foldi and R.J. Gill (10 ad. ♀♀ on 3 slides) CDFA ; Whitewater Cny., 4 mi. N. Highway 10, near Whitewater , III-25-1971, on Eriogonum sp. , R.J. Gill and E. Paddock (3 ad. ♀♀, 1 second-instar ♁ on 4 slides) CDFA ; San Diego Co.: 1 mi. E. Mt. Laguna , III-6-1983, on Eriogonum sp. , R.J. Gill (5 ad. ♀♀ on 2 slides) CDFA ; 5 mi. S.E. Fallbrook, V-8-1964, on Eriogonum sp. , D.R. Miller (1 second-instar ♀, 3 first-instar nymphs on 1 slide) UCD ; Santa Barbara Co.: Santa Rosa Island, middle of Water Canyon , VI-10-1978, on Eriogonum sp. , D.R. Miller (6 ad. ♀♀, 5 first-instar nymphs on 8 slides) USNM ; Ventura Co.: S.E. Oxnard , 1V-25-1969, on Eriogonum sp. , D.R. Miller and A.A. Grigarick (2 ad. ♀♀ on 1 slide) UCD .

The justification for treating Oregmopyga as a junior synonym of Ovaticoccus , leading to this new species combination, is provided in the “Notes” section that follows the generic description above. The adult female and second-instar female (as “second or third-instar”) of this species were described by Miller and McKenzie (1967). We do not provide a redescription of the adult female, but do provide more information about the second-instar female.

Etymology: The species epithet “ eriogoni ” is based on the scientific name of the host of this species.

Second-instar female ( Fig. 60 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.8–1.1 mm long, 0.4–0.6 mm wide. Body elongate oval, with slightly protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas dorsally each with 2 or 3 flagellate setae; ventrally each with 2–4 flagellate setae including suranal seta and anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with flagellate setae forming 2 pairs of longitudinal lines on abdomen, more widely scattered on thorax and head. Enlarged setae from head to segment VII, in 3 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral) on abdomen, more abundant and scattered on head and thorax; largest seta 8–9 μm long; enlarged setae nipple-shaped, laterally with curved margins, rounded apex, and moderately-sized setal rings; set in dermal pockets; segment IV with 10 setae including 4 flagellate setae and 6 enlarged setae; segment IV with combined total of 9 or 10 enlarged setae dorsally and ventrally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts 5–9 μm long, with area farthest from dermal orifice sclerotized and divided into 2 parts, apical portion rounded, shorter or about same size as remaining sclerotized portion; total sclerotized area same length as, or slightly shorter than, unsclerotized area; dermal orifice unsclerotized or weakly sclerotized; without protruding tube. Microtubular ducts scattered over entire surface, associated with enlarged setae from head to segment VII. Multilocular and cruciform pores absent. Microtrichia on segments VII and VIII.

Anal ring round, dorsal, incomplete, anterior and posterior sections usually unsclerotized, without pores or with 1 or 2, additional pair of closely associated setae not attached to anal ring, with 2 or 3 setae on each side of ring, each shorter than diameter of ring; anal tube and anal opening unsclerotized, without anal flap.

Venter with longest flagellate seta on segment II 17–26 μm long, on segment VII 20–28 μm long; anal-lobe seta 93–105 μm long. Enlarged setae along body margin and submargin, with 1 or 2 on each side of each body segment. Microtubular ducts associated with enlarged setae. Multilocular pores of 2 or 3 kinds: 5-locular pores most abundant, in medial and mediolateral areas of head to segments VI or VII; 3- and 4-locular pores slightly less common than 5-locular pores. Cruciform pores laterally on head and/or thorax. Legs with 3–5 indistinct pores on hind coxa; each femur with 3, rarely 4, setae, usually without proximal seta; hind tibia with 3 or 4 setae, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.7–0.8. Antennae each 6-segmented, 103–108 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore present. Microtrichia from mesothorax to segment VIII, also on mesothoracic and metathoracic coxae.

Notes: The description is based on four specimens from three localities. The second-instar female of Ov. eriogoni is most similar to the second-instar female of Ov. viscosa in lacking dorsal multilocular and cruciform pores and having a circular anal ring usually without pores. They differ as follows (character states in brackets are of Ov. eriogoni ): each femur with a proximal seta (usually without a proximal seta); without ventral enlarged setae (with ventral enlarged setae).

First-instar nymph ( Fig. 61 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens each 0.6 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide. Body oval, without protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas dorsally each with 2 flagellate setae and 1 or 2 microtubular ducts; ventrally each with 2–4 flagellate setae including suranal seta and anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with flagellate setae in small numbers on head and thorax; sometimes with 1 on abdomen in place of enlarged seta. Enlarged setae from head to segment VII, in 3 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral); largest seta 5–7 μm long; enlarged setae pear-shaped, laterally with curved margins, rounded apex, and moderately-sized setal rings; not set in dermal pockets; segment IV with 6 setae, usually all enlarged; segment IV with combined total of 5 or 6 enlarged setae dorsally and ventrally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts 5–6 μm long, area farthest from dermal orifice sclerotized and divided into 2 parts, apical portion rounded, usually about same length as remaining sclerotized portion; total sclerotized area same length as unsclerotized area; dermal orifice unsclerotized or weakly sclerotized; with protruding filament. Microtubular ducts scattered over entire surface, least abundant anteriorly, weakly associated with lines of enlarged setae. Multilocular and cruciform pores absent. Microtrichia on segments VII and VIII.

Anal ring dorsal or apical, circular, usually incomplete anteriorly, 1 specimen complete anteriorly, complete posteriorly, without cells, anterior margin unsclerotized, with 2 or 3 setae on each side of ring, additional seta closely associated with ring but not attached to anal ring, anal ring setae each about same length as greatest diameter of ring, anal tube and anal opening weakly sclerotized or unsclerotized, without anal flap.

Venter with longest flagellate seta on segment II 11–12 μm long, on segment VII 20–34 μm long; anal-lobe seta 83–103 μm long. Enlarged setae and microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores of 3 types: 5-locular pores, 4-locular pores, and 3-locular pores; 4-locular pores uncommon, 5- and 3-locular pores in about equal numbers; normally on head, thorax and abdomen, 1 specimen without pores on abdomen. Cruciform pores absent. Legs without pores; each femur with 3 setae, without proximal setae; each tibia with 4 setae, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.9–1.0. Antennae each 6-segmented, 104–116 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore present. Microtrichia from metathorax to segment VIII, also on mesothoracic and metathoracic coxae.

Notes: The description is based on eight specimens from two localities. The first-instar nymph of Ov. eriogoni is most similar to the first-instar nymph of Ov. agavium by lacking dorsal multilocular and cruciform pores, having three longitudinal lines of enlarged setae and having three setae on each femur, without a proximal seta. They differ as follows (character states in brackets are of Ov. eriogoni ): medial longitudinal line of enlarged setae complete, including on head (incomplete, replaced by flagellate setae on head); with ventral cruciform pores (absent); anal ring divided anteriorly and posteriorly (divided anteriorly or sometimes complete anteriorly, complete posteriorly).

Figures

FIGURE 60. Ovaticoccus eriogoni (Miller 1967), second-instar female, 5 miles SE Fallbrook, San Diego Co., California, USA, May 8, 1964, on Eriogonum sp., D.R. Miller. A=enlarged seta; B=slightly enlarged seta; D=5-locular pore; E=3-locular pore; F=microtubular duct; H = cruciform pore; I=anal ring; J=antenna; L=claw.

FIGURE 61. Ovaticoccus eriogoni (Miller 1967), first-instar nymph, 5 miles SE Fallbrook, San Diego Co., California, USA, May 8, 1964, on Eriogonum sp., D.R. Miller.A=enlarged seta; D=5-locular pore; E=3-locular pore; F=microtubular duct; I=anal ring; J=antenna; L=claw; N=flagellate seta; U=4-locular pore.