Spiroporococcus Miller 1967

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 : 185

Spiroporococcus Miller 1967

Spiroporococcus Miller in Miller and McKenzie 1967: 528. Type species Fonscolombia yuccae Ferris 1919 , by original designation.

Generic diagnosis: The known immature instars of Spiroporococcus are similar to the same instars of Ovaticoccus in having reduced anal lobes and uniquely shaped enlarged setae. They differ by (character states in brackets are of Spiroporococcus ): lacking a concentration of multilocular pores in area surrounding atrium of spiracles (having a concentration of multilocular pores in false atrium of spiracles); usually having four setae on each tibia, without middle seta (with five setae on each tibia, including one in the middle).

More information on this genus is provided by Miller and McKenzie (1967). The three known species, S. braggi (Cockerell & Robinson) , S. ruber (Parrott & Cockerell) and S. yuccae (Ferris) , all occur in the southwestern USA. Further information is provided here for S. braggi and S. yuccae .

Etymology: The generic epithet “ Spiroporococcus ” is based on the Greek words “ Spir ” meaning “to breathe” or “spiracle,” “ poros ” meaning “pore” and “ kokkos ” meaning “round” or “scale insect” and refers to the cluster of pores in the atrium of the spiracle.

Key to Spiroporococcus species based on adult females

(modified from Miller & McKenzie 1967)

1(0) Enlarged setae absent.................................................................................. 2

– Enlarged setae present........................................................ braggi (Cockerell & Robinson)

2(1) Cruciform pores in clusters anterior to mid- and hind legs; microtubular ducts present over entire dorsum.... yuccae (Ferris)

– Cruciform pores not in clusters; microtubular ducts present only on last few abdominal segments of dorsum............................................................................................ ruber (Parrott & Cockerell)