Xerococcus fouquieriae Ferris

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 : 190-198

Xerococcus fouquieriae Ferris

Xerococcus fouquieriae Ferris 1921: 80 .

Type material: The adult female holotype is mounted on a slide by itself and is labelled as follows: right label “ Xerococcus Type / fouquieriae new species / On Fouquieria / penninsularis / La Paz, Baja Calif., / Mex. / June 1919 G.F. Ferris / Entomological Laboratory / Stanford University G.F. F.” left label is red with “TYPE.” ( UCD).

Paratypes: MEXICO: State (?):, intercepted at San Ysidro, VIII-29-1953, on Fouquieria sp. , E.D. Algert (2 ad. ♀♀, 2 second-instar ♀♀ on 1 slide) USNM . Lower Baja California: La Paz, VI-(?)-1919, on F. penninsularis (= diguetii ), G.F. Ferris (1 ad. ♀ holotype, 6 ad. ♀♀ paratypes, 4 second-instar ♀♀ paratypes, 2 first-instar ♀♀ paratypes, 1 first-instar ♁ paratype on 6 slides) and (20 ad. ♀♀, 30 second-instar ♀♀, 40 first-instar ♀♀, 2 firstinstar ♁♁ on 9 slides) UCD, USNM ; Upper Baja California: Punta Prieta , III-(?)-1934, F. diguetii, G.F. Ferris (5 ad. ♀♀, 3 second-instar ♀♀, 2 second-instar ♁♁, 10 first-instar ♀♀, 6 first-instar ♁♁, on 9 slides) UCD .

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

Adult female ( Fig. 98 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 1.4–2.4 mm long, 0.8–1.7 mm wide. Body pear-shaped, often heavily sclerotized on head and thorax, with large, heavily sclerotized anal lobes. Each lobe dorsally and ventrally with variable number of slightly enlarged setae.

Dorsum with setae slightly enlarged, increasingly more robust posteriorly, dorsal setae noticeably shorter than those on venter. Macrotubular ducts characteristically sclerotized for nearly 2/3 length of tube; present over entire surface. Microtubular ducts, multilocular pores, and cruciform pores absent. Derm with numerous small nodules along body margin. Microtrichia absent.

Anal ring ventral or dorsal (normally oriented vertically and characters not visible), circular, complete, without cells, with 3 setae on each side of ring, each slightly shorter than greatest diameter of ring. Anal tube unsclerotized, orifice of anal tube sclerotized, without anal flap.

Venter with 1 robust seta near margin of each of mesothoracic and metathoracic segments and each abdominal segment; remaining setae robust on posterior abdominal segments, becoming increasingly smaller anteriorly; setae on segment II 12–30 μm long, on segment VII 18–25 μm long; elongate anal-lobe seta absent. Macrotubular ducts of same type as on dorsum on sublateral areas of head and thorax, over entire abdominal surface. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores most abundant near spiracles and mouthparts, scattered in small numbers over rest of thorax and head, rarely in reduced numbers on anterior 1 or 2 abdominal segments; of 3 kinds: 5-locular pores and 4-locular pores rare, 3-locular pores most abundant. Derm with nodules along body margin. Vulva difficult to discern. Cruciform pores absent. Legs represented by small, sclerotized areas, probably remnants of coxae.Antennae poorly developed, 2-, 3- or 4-segmented, each about 65 μm long. Frontal lobes absent and preantennal pore absent. Microtrichia absent.

Notes: The description is based on 25 specimens from three localities. Adult females of X. fouquieriae are unique among eriococcids; see under the genus above.

Second-instar female ( Fig. 99 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens, 0.7–0.9 mm long, 0.5–0.6 mm wide. Body elongate oval, with large, sclerotized anal lobes, not as large as adult female. Each lobe dorsally with 1 or 2 setae, seta on lateral margin of lobe noticeably enlarged; ventrally each lobe with 3 or 4 flagellate setae including suranal seta, without elongate anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with setae flagellate except single robust seta on each margin of segments VII and VIII. Macrotubular ducts similar to those of adult female, scattered over surface, sometimes absent from segments VI and VII. Microtubular ducts, multilocular pores, and cruciform pores absent. Derm with numerous small nodules along body margin. Microtrichia absent.

Anal ring ventral, circular, complete, without cells, with 3 setae on each side of ring, each about same length as greatest diameter of ring. Orifice of anal tube and anal tube unsclerotized, without anal flap.

Venter with 1 robust seta near margin of prothoracic, mesothoracic and metathoracic segments and each abdominal segment; remaining setae slender; setae on segment II about 10 μm long, on segment VII about 16 μm long; elongate anal-lobe seta absent. Macrotubular ducts of same type as on dorsum along body margin of thorax and abdomen, absent from head, with a few ducts on medial areas of thorax and anterior abdominal segments. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores most abundant near spiracles, sometimes with 1 or 2 pores near mouthparts and antennae, normally of 3-locular type only, rarely with 1 or 2 5-locular or 4-locular pores. Derm with nodules along body margin. Cruciform pores absent. Legs represented by small, sclerotized areas, probably remnants of coxae. Antennae poorly developed, 3- or 4-segmented, about 60 μm long. Frontal lobes, preantennal pore absent and microtrichia absent.

Notes: The description is based on 44 specimens from two localities. The second-instar female of X. fouquieriae is unique in having: legs represented by small sclerotizations; antennae reduced; macrotubular ducts sclerotized for about 2/3 of length; derm with numerous nodules; 3-locular pores most numerous.

First-instar female ( Fig. 100 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.6–0.7 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide. Body elongate oval, anal lobes small, slightly protruding. Each lobe protruding, not as large as adult female; each lobe dorsally with 3 enlarged setae, 1 medial, 2 lateral, all approximately equal in length and several nodules; each lobe ventrally with 3 flagellate setae including suranal seta and anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with flagellate setae in 2 pairs of longitudinal lines (submedial and mediolateral,), slightly shorter than those on venter. Enlarged setae on body margin from posterior portion of head to anal lobes (on venter in illustration), with 1 seta on each body segment from head to segment V, with 2 setae on each body margin of segments VI and VII, and 3 setae on each anal lobe. Enlarged setae increasing in size posteriorly, becoming increasingly more elongate posteriorly, largest seta about 22 μm long, enlarged setae with rounded apices and broad setal base. Macrotubular ducts absent. Dermal nodules along margin of posterior abdominal segments and between antennae. Microtrichia absent.

Anal ring difficult to discern, invaginated; apparently with 3 setae on each side of ring, each about same length as diameter of ring, without pores, invaginated between lobes. Orifice of anal tube unsclerotized.

Venter with flagellate setae on segment II about 10 μm long, on segment VII about 14 μm long; elongate anallobe seta about 58 μm long. Enlarged setae of same type as on dorsum along body margin of thorax. Macrotubular ducts and microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores of 3-locular type only, with 1 pore near atrium of each spiracle. Derm nodules same as on dorsum. Cruciform pores absent. Legs well-developed, without pores; each femur with 3 setae, proximal setae absent; each tibia with 1 seta, without middle setae; hind tibia/tarsus 0.9; claws with small denticle near tip. Antennae each 6-segmented, 115–125 μm long. Frontal lobes, preantennal pores, and microtrichia absent.

Notes: The description is based on 56 specimens from one locality. The first-instar female of X. fouquieriae is unique in having: enlarged setae restricted to body margin; each tibia with 1 seta; anal ring invaginated; and derm marginally with numerous nodules. For a comparison of the first-instar male with the first-instar female of X. fouquieriae see the “Notes” section of the former.

Second-instar male ( Fig. 101 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.6–1.0 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide. Body oval, without protruding anal lobes or with lobes slightly protruding. Anal-lobe areas each dorsally with 2 or 3 flagellate setae with slightly swollen apices; ventrally each with 2 or 3 flagellate setae including suranal seta and anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with flagellate setae with slightly expanded apices, arranged in 3 or 4 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral) of setae. Enlarged setae absent; segment IV with 6 or 8 filamentous setae. Macrotubular ducts over entire surface, sclerotization restricted to cup area. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular absent. Microtrichia weakly indicated on segments VII and VIII. Derm nodules laterally and sublaterally on segments II to VIII.

Anal ring ventral, circular, complete, broad, without distinct lateral plates, cellular, with 3 setae on each side of ring, each about same length as diameter of ring; additional pair of setae associated with, but not attached to, ring; anal tube and anal opening unsclerotized, with anal flap.

Venter with flagellate setae on segment II 21–30 μm long, on segment VII 32–37 μm long; anal-lobe seta about 38 μm long. Enlarged setae absent, but 1 or 2 setae on lateral area of each abdominal segment slightly enlarged with slightly expanded apex. Macrotubular ducts in mediolateral and lateral areas, also near base of each coxa. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores uncommon, of 3-locular kind only, restricted to spiracular area, with 0–3 near each spiracle. Cruciform pores absent. Legs with hind coxae without pores; each femur with 3 setae, without proximal seta; each tibia with 1 distal seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.8–0.9. Antennae each 7-segmented, 140–170 μm long. Frontal lobes and preantennal pores absent. Microtrichia from mesothorax to segment VIII, also on hind 2 pairs of coxae.

Notes: The description is based on three specimens from one locality. One of the specimens is molting from the first-instar male to the second-instar male and character states are difficult to discern. The second-instar male of X. fouquieriae is unique in having a single seta on each tibia, and in having a broad, heavily sclerotized anal ring without separate lateral plates and with a few small pores. Within the Eriococcidae it is unusual for secondinstar males to have legs when the second-instar females of the same species are legless, which is the case for X. fouquieriae . The same kind of dimorphism also is true of Carpo. eugeniae .

First-instar male ( Fig. 102 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens, 0.6–0.7 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide. Body elongate oval, with slightly protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas each dorsally with 3 enlarged setae; ventrally each with 2 flagellate setae including suranal seta and slightly elongate anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum without flagellate setae. Enlarged setae in 3 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral) from head to segment VIII; conical, with slightly curved sides; largest setae about 15–19 μm long; not in dermal pocket; abdominal segment IV with 6 setae, all enlarged; segment IV with combined total of 8 enlarged setae dorsally and ventrally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular and cruciform pores absent. Microtrichia normally absent, rarely on posterior 2 or 3 abdominal segments. Derm nodules along body margin.

Anal ring ventral, in pocket at posterior apex of abdomen; sides of ring vertical with setae pointed inward; complete, lateral plates absent; non-cellular; with 3 setae on each side of ring, each approximately equal in length to greatest diameter of ring; extra seta on each side of ring, not in sclerotization; anal tube and anal opening unsclerotized; without anal flap.

Venter with longest flagellate seta on segment II 13–15 μm long, on segment VII 25–28 μm long; anal-lobe seta about 55 μm long. Enlarged setae in longitudinal line laterally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores rare, restricted to 1 near each spiracle; of 1or 2 kinds: 3-locular pores most abundant, 4- locular pores rare, normally absent. Cruciform pores absent. Legs without pores; each femur with 3 setae, without proximal setae; each tibia with 1 seta, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.8–0.9. Antennae each 6-segmented, 110–120 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore usually absent, present in 1 specimen. Microtrichia on segments II or III to VIII, absent from coxae.

Notes: The description is based on nine specimens from two localities. It is difficult to determine the exact location of the lateral-most longitudinal line of enlarged setae. The first-instar male of X. fouquieriae differs from the first-instar female by having (character states of the first-instar female are in brackets): one size of enlarged seta over the entire dorsum (enlarged setae are restricted to the body margin). The first-instar male of X. fouquieriae is unique among first-instar eriococcid nymphs in having a single seta on each tibia and the anal ring situated in a dermal pocket. There are not many sexually dimorphic first-instar nymphs known for eriococcids. Hodgson and Miller (2010) indicated that Apiococcus singularis Hempel has two first-instar nymph forms and surmised that one of them is the male. We suggest that there are morphologically different first-instar male and female nymphs of Carpo. eugeniae . Cook et al. (2000) and Gullan et al. (2005: 216) state that “sexual dimorphism occurs among crawlers of taxa in which first-instar females disperse but males develop in, or on, the maternal gall. Examples include the first-instar nymphs of Cystococcus Fuller , some Apiomorpha species, and species of Beesoniidae .” In the case of X. fouquieriae , it appears that both male and female instars disperse, but perhaps to different parts of the host.

Figures

FIGURE 98. Xerococcus fouqueriae Ferris 1921, adult female, La Paz, Lower Baja California, Mexico, part of Stickney collection received in 1937, on Fouquieria penninsularis (=diguetii), G.F. Ferris. A=enlarged seta; B=slightly enlarged seta; D=5-locular pore; E=3-locular pore; G=macrotubular duct; I=anal ring; J=antenna; U=4-locular pore; Z=body margin (hatched areas on the body of the inset with nodules).

FIGURE 99. Xerococcus fouqueriae Ferris 1921, second-instar female, intercepted at San Ysidro, State?, Mexico, August 29, 1953, on Fouquieria sp., E.D.Algert.A=enlarged seta; E=3-locular pore; G=macrotubular duct; I=anal ring; J=antenna; Z=body margin (hatched areas on the body of the inset with nodules).

FIGURE 100. Xerococcus fouqueriae Ferris 1921, first-instar female, La Paz, Lower Baja California, Mexico, June?, 1919, on Fouquieria penninsularis (=diguetii), G.F. Ferris. A=enlarged seta; E=3-locular pore; I=anal ring; L=claw; N=flagellate seta.

FIGURE 101. Xerococcus fouqueriae Ferris 1921, second-instar male, Punta Prieta, La Paz, Lower Baja California, Mexico, March?, 1934, on Fouquieria penninsularis (=diguetii), G.F. Ferris. B=slightly enlarged seta; E=3-locular pore; G=macrotubular duct; I=anal ring; L=claw; N=flagellate seta; Z=body margin.

FIGURE 102. Xerococcus fouqueriae Ferris 1921, first-instar male, Punta Prieta, La Paz, Lower Baja California, Mexico, March?, 1934, on Fouquieria penninsularis (=diguetii), G.F. Ferris. A=enlarged seta; E=3-locular pore; I=anal ring; L=claw; Z=body margin.