Asterochiton foetidissimae, Martin, 2020

Martin, Nicholas A., 2020, Revision of the whitefly genus, Asterochiton Maskell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from New Zealand, a study of intraspecific variation, Zootaxa 4859 (3), pp. 301-341 : 324-327

Asterochiton foetidissimae sp. n.

Figures 9 A–G.

Diagnosis. This species is similar to A. rhamnoidis . Its ‘larger’ discal setae tend to be smaller than those on A. rhamnoidis . Caudal setae tiny. Puparium oval to sublinear.

Puparium ( Figs. 9 A–B). Oval to sub-linear; unpigmented, paratype with slightly dark submedian area; found on undersurface of leaves; widest at abdominal segments I & II; emarginated at thoracic and caudal tracheal pores; probably with a thick wax along vertical side walls/margin. Length 1.60 mm, 1 paratype, 1.60 mm; width 1.10 mm, paratype, 1.25 mm. Caudal and thoracic tracheal pores narrowly invaginated with 3–5 teeth ( Figs. 9 E–F). Margin finely crenulated ( Figs. 9 E–F), 8 crenulations in 0.1 mm .

Dorsum. Finely sculptured verging to linear markings marginally ( Fig. 9B , E–F). Submargin area 30 µm wide extending to 70 µm to include longer crenulations. Cephalothoracic (pro-, meso- & metathoracic) and abdominal depressions present. Abdominal segment VII median length 40 µm, less than half that of segment VI ( Fig. 9D ). Transverse moulting sutures extending into subdorsal area. Pro-mesothoracic and meso-metathoracic sutures, and abdominal segmentation prominent, reaching subdorsal area, pro-mesothoracic suture broken by depressions. Small dorsal pores on disk and submargin. Vasiform orifice located anterior of caudal tracheal opening by two times its own length. Caudal furrow well defined.

Vasiform orifice ( Fig. 9C ). Elongate subtriangular; length 100 µm, paratype 90 µm, width 65 µm; open posteriorly, floor reticulated; operculum sub-trapezoidal, covering nearly half the length of orifice, length 33 µm, width 50 µm; lingula exposed, not reaching beyond posterior margin of the vasiform orifice, terminal end slightly expanded and rounded, length 45 µm, two subapical setae, 25 µm.

Venter. Thoracic and caudal tracheal folds with stippling. Legs and antennae present, a tiny seta on the basal and terminal segments of legs 2 and 3 ( Fig. 9G ). Ventral setae 32 µm long, 62 µm apart, posterior to anterior margin of vasiform orifice by 1/3 to 1/4 of its length. Adhesive sacs seen. Anterior spiracles in abdominal segment II, posterior spiracle near vasiform orifice.

Chaetotaxy. First abdominal setae, 43–63 µm, eighth abdominal setae, 2.5–5 µm, setae anteriad of vasiform orifice; 6–8 pairs of cephalothoracic lateral setae, cephalothoracic lateral setae 2, 6 & 8 on subdorsum, 45–63 µm, cephalothoracic lateral setae 2 and 8 only on one side of one specimen, Cephalothoracic lateral setae 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7, tiny, submarginal, cephalothoracic lateral seta 7 posterior to thoracic pore; abdominal lateral setae, 4–7, on subdorsum, seta 4, 55– 62 µm, abdominal lateral seta 5, tiny, on right side of paratype, 55 µm, tiny setae in other places, abdominal lateral seta 8, tiny, near caudal setae; setae 5 & 6 may be missing on one side of specimens. Caudal setae tiny, 5 µm. Anterior marginal setae 10 µm, posterior marginal setae 10 µm.

Material examined.

Holotype: NEW ZEALAND, BR, Nelson Lakes, St Arnaud , 16 Apr 2004, NA Martin, Coprosma foetidissima underside leaves, ( NZAC02015602 slide 04-144). Puparium nearest to slide data label.

Paratype. 1 puparium, same data as Holotype.

All specimens deposited in NZAC (Auckland, New Zealand) .

Host plant. The only known host plant is Coprosma foetidissima J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Rubiaceae) .

Distribution. The species has been found in native forest at St. Arnaud, Nelson Lakes, Buller, South Island of New Zealand. The host plant is found in the North & South Islands.

Etymology. The new species is named after its only known host plant

Figures

FIGURE 9. Asterochiton foetidissimae n. sp. puparium. Holotype B–F. A. Puparium, line drawing, B. Puparium, slide mount, C. Vasiform orifice, D. Abdominal segments VI, VII and vasiform orifice, E. Caudal pore and posterior marginal seta, F. Thoracic tracheal pore and fold with stippling, G. Antenna and legs.