Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller

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 : 176-181

Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller

Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller in Miller and McKenzie 1967: 525.

Material examined: not previously reported: UNITED STATES: California: Nevada Co.: Sagehen Creek, nr. Hobart , VII-15-1964, on host unknown, J.S. Gleen (5 ad. ♀♀ on 2 slides) UCD ; Sagehen Creek Research Station , VII-15-1966, on Artemisia tridentata, D.R. Miller (3 ad. ♀♀, 3 second-instar ♀♀, 6 second-instar ♁♁, 3 first-instar nymphs on 5 slides) UCD, USNM ; Sierra Co., 15 mi. SE Sierraville , VIII-2-1970, on Artemisia sp. , D.R. Miller (2 second-instar ♀♀, 1 first-instar nymph on 2 slides) USNM . Idaho, Fremont Co., St. Anthony Sand Dunes , VII-5- 1967, on A. tridentata, D.R. Miller (1 second-instar ♀, on 1 slide) USNM . Oregon, Harney Co., Burns , VIII-3-1970, on A. tridentata, D.R. Miller (1 ad. ♀, 1 second-instar ♀, on 1 slide) USNM ; Klamath Co., 2 mi. NE Olene , VIII-1-1968, on Artemisia sp. , D.R. Miller and R.F. Denno (1 ad. ♀, on 1 slide) UCD ; Lake Co., 5 mi. N. North Fork Crooked Creek, Warner Mountains , VIII-3-1968, on Artemisia sp. , D.R. Miller and R.F. Denno (2 second-instar ♀♀, 1 second-instar ♁, on 1 slide) UCD .

The adult female and first-instar nymph of this species were described in Miller and McKenzie (1967) and information on the adult female is not repeated here. A more detailed description of the first-instar nymph and the first descriptions of the second-instar female, second-instar male and the pupa are included below.

Etymology: The species epithet “ variabilis ” is from the Latin word “ variabilis ” meaning “variable” and refers to the highly diverse morphology of specimens from different habitats.

Second-instar female ( Fig. 91 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.7–0.9 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide. Body elongate oval, without protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas each dorsally with 2 or 3 flagellate setae; ventrally each with 3 flagellate setae including suranal seta and elongate anal-lobe seta.

Dorsum with flagellate setae arranged in 2 pairs of longitudinal lines (submedial and sublateral). Enlarged setae in 4 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral, sublateral and lateral) from head to segment VII, some enlarged setae replaced by flagellate setae on head and prothorax. Largest setae about 7 μm long; enlarged setae pear-shaped, laterally with curved sides, with narrow rounded apex; setal base thin; not in dermal pockets; segment IV with 10–12 setae including 8 enlarged setae and 4 or 5 flagellate setae; segment IV with combined total of 8 enlarged setae dorsally and ventrally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts each approximately 5 μm long, with area farthest from dermal orifice sclerotized and divided into 2 parts, apical portion rounded, normally smaller than remaining sclerotized portion; total sclerotized area same length as unsclerotized area; dermal orifice unsclerotized, without tube projecting from orifice; microtubular ducts rare laterally on posterior abdominal segments. Multilocular and cruciform pores, and microtrichia absent.

Anal ring ventral, incomplete, divided posteriorly, with narrow bridge between lateral plates, some specimens without bridge, non-cellular; with 3 setae on each side of ring, each shorter or 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, anal flap absent.

Venter with longest flagellate seta on segment II 12–14 μm long, on segment VII 15–16 μm long; anal-lobe seta 80–89 μm long. Enlarged setae present or absent laterally. Multilocular pores present near base of antenna, laterad to labium, adjacent to each spiracle, and in mediolateral longitudinal line on each side of any or all of segments II–V, of 2 kinds: 5-locular pores on head and abdomen; 3-locular pores sometimes near spiracles; 5-locular pores most abundant. Cruciform pores absent. Legs with hind coxae with several indefinite pores; each femur with 3 setae, all distal; each tibia with 4 setae, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.9. Antennae each 6-segmented, 103–117 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore inconspicuous or absent. Microtrichia from laterad to mouthparts to segment VIII, also on mesothoracic and metathoracic coxae.

Notes: The description is based on nine specimens from five localities.The second-instar female of Ov. variabilis is similar to the second-instar female of Ov. neglectus in lacking cruciform pores and in lacking dorsal multilocular pores. These species differ as follows (character states in brackets are those of Ov. variabilis ): spiracles each with many associated multilocular pores (with one or two); abdominal segments with multilocular pores arranged in rows of several pores (with no more than two pores on each abdominal segment, often without multilocular pores).

Fourth-instar male (pupa) ( Fig. 92 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimen 1.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide. Body elongate, small marginal lobes present on segment VIII.

Dorsum with flagellate setae in segmental rows, clusters of longer setae on margins of segments II to VIII, apices of setae slightly enlarged, slightly shorter than ventral setae. Multilocular pores restricted to lateral margins of prothorax and anterior abdominal segments, with 5–13 loculi. Discoidal pores absent. Lobe on lateral margin of segment VIII sclerotized. Hamulohalteres absent. Front wing buds approximately 440 μm long, partially sclerotized. Ocular sclerite lightly sclerotized on dorsal and lateral areas only.

Penial sheath sclerotized, dorsally without conspicuous lobes, each side with 1 pair of elongate setae. Anal opening not evident.

Venter with flagellate setae slightly longer than dorsal setae, usually apically acute; longest lateral seta on segment VIII 99 μm long. Multilocular pores of same kinds as on dorsum, present mesad to front and middle legs, clustered near anterior spiracles, in small numbers near posterior spiracle, abundant over surface of segments II to VI or VII. Discoidal pores absent. Mouth tubercle present. Legs partly developed, setae not indicated. Antennae each 10-segmented, about 500 μm long. Microtrichia on prothorax to segment VIII, absent from coxae. Eye on body margin.

Notes: The description is based on one specimen from one locality. The fourth-instar male of Ov. variabilis is most similar to the fourth-instar male of Ov. agavium in having reduced appendages, reduced or no mouthparts, and the presence of multilocular pores and flagellate setae. They differ as follows (character states in brackets are of Ov. variabilis ): dorsal multilocular pores absent from area anterior to wing buds (pores present).

Second-instar male ( Fig. 93 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.9–1.0 mm long, 0.4 mm wide. Body elongate oval, without protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas each dorsally with 2 flagellate setae and 1 or 2 macrotubular ducts; ventrally each with 2 or 3 flagellate setae including suranal seta and elongate anal-lobe seta, with 0 or 1 macrotubular duct.

Dorsum with 2 kinds of flagellate setae: some setae with slightly expanded apices, arranged in 3 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral); apically acute setae in 2 longitudinal lines between expandedapices setae (mediolateral and lateral). Enlarged setae absent; segment IV with 11 or 12 setae. Macrotubular ducts over entire surface. Microtubular ducts and multilocular pores absent. Microtrichia on segments VI or VII to VIII.

Anal ring ventral, semicircular, incomplete, anterior connection between lateral plates sometimes absent or weakly sclerotized, non-cellular, with 3 setae on each side of ring, each normally shorter or same length as diameter of ring; additional pair of setae associated with, but not attached to, ring; anal tube weakly sclerotized or unsclerotized, with anal opening weakly sclerotized or unsclerotized, without anal flap.

Venter with flagellate setae on segment II 29–31 μm long, on segment VII 25–30 μm long; anal-lobe seta 78–82 μm long. Enlarged setae absent. Macrotubular ducts in mediolateral and lateral areas. Microtubular ducts absent. Multilocular pores uncommon, of 2 kinds: 3-locular pores rare or absent, 5-locular pores most abundant; with 1 present laterad to mouthparts, 1 laterad to each front coxa, 1 near each spiracle, 1 laterad to each hind coxa, in mediolateral line on each side of segments III and V, some specimens without multilocular pores on abdomen. Cruciform pores absent. Legs with hind coxae without pores; each femur with 3 setae, without proximal seta; each tibia with 4 setae, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.9–1.0. Antennae each 7-segmented, 130–134 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore present. Microtrichia from prothorax to segment VIII, also on coxae.

Notes: The description is based on seven specimens from two localities. The second-instar male of Ov. variabilis is most similar to the second-instar male of Ov. salviae in lacking enlarged setae, lacking cruciform pores, and in having few multilocular pores. They differ as follows (character states in brackets are those of Ov. variabilis ): two or three multilocular pores associated with each spiracle (one multilocular pore associated with each spiracle); anal ring without definite lateral plates (two heavily sclerotized lateral plates present).

First-instar nymph ( Fig. 94 )

Description: Slide-mounted specimens 0.7–0.8 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide. Body elongate oval, without protruding anal lobes. Anal-lobe areas each dorsally with 2 flagellate setae; ventrally each with 3 or 4 flagellate setae including suranal seta and elongate anal-lobe seta, with 0 or 1 microtubular duct.

Dorsum with flagellate setae on head and prothorax. Enlarged setae in 3 pairs of longitudinal lines (medial, mediolateral and lateral) from head to segment VII; enlarged setae pear-shaped, with curved sides; largest setae about 5 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 each approximately 5 μm long, with area farthest from dermal orifice sclerotized and divided into 2 parts, apical portion rounded, normally smaller than remaining sclerotized portion; total sclerotized area same length as unsclerotized area; dermal orifice unsclerotized, without tube projecting from orifice; distribution of microtubular ducts variable, sometimes laterally from head to segment VII, sometimes with only 1 or 2 on abdomen. Multilocular and cruciform pores absent. Microtrichia from segment VI to VIII.

Anal ring ventral or apical, incomplete, divided posteriorly, in some cases with anterior bridge between lateral plates absent or weakly sclerotized, in others present and sclerotized, 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 10–18 μm long, on segment VII 15–18 μm long; anal-lobe seta 92 μm long. Enlarged setae, similar to those on dorsum, in longitudinal line laterally. Macrotubular ducts absent. Microtubular ducts rarely on anal lobe. Multilocular pores rare near each spiracle, laterad to mouthparts, in mediolateral area on each side of segment III or IV, all 3-locular pores. Cruciform pores absent. Legs without pores; each femur with 3 setae, all distal; each tibia with 4, without middle seta; hind tibia/tarsus 0.9. Antennae each 6- segmented, 128–130 μm long. Frontal lobes absent. Preantennal pore present. Microtrichia on posterior abdominal segments.

Notes: The description is based on three specimens from one locality. The first-instar nymph of Ov. variabilis is similar to the first-instar nymph of Ov. eriogoni in having the anal ring without pores, no cruciform pores, and dorsal flagellate setae restricted to head and thorax. They differ as follows (character states in brackets are those of Ov. variabilis ): multilocular pores predominantly with five or more loculi (with three loculi); with three pairs of longitudinal lines of enlarged setae (with four pairs).

Figures

FIGURE 91. Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller 1967, second-instar female, St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Fremont County, Idaho, USA, August 5, 1964, on Artemisia tridentata, D.R. Miller. A=enlarged seta; B=slightly enlarged seta; D=5-locular pore; F=microtubular duct; I=anal ring; N=flagellate seta; Q=dorsal surface of coxa.

FIGURE 92. Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller 1967, fourth-instar male (pupa), Sagehen Creek Research Station, elevation 5,800 ft., Nevada Co., California, July 15, 1966, on Artemisia tridentata, D.R. Miller. B=slightly enlarged seta; N=flagellate seta; T=pore with>7 loculi.

FIGURE 93. Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller 1967, second-instar male, Sagehen Creek Research Station, elevation 5,800 ft., Nevada Co., California, USA, July 15, 1966, on Artemisia tridentata, D.R. Miller. B=slightly enlarged seta; D=5-locular pore; G=macrotubular duct; I=anal ring; N=flagellate seta.

FIGURE 94. Ovaticoccus variabilis Miller 1967 first-instar nymph, Sagehen Creek Research Station, elevation 5,800 ft., Nevada Co., California, USA, July 15, 1966, on Artemisia tridentata., D.R. Miller. A=enlarged seta; E=3-locular pore; F=microtubular duct; I=anal ring.