Asterochiton propinquae, 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 : 327-330

Asterochiton propinquae sp. n.

Figures 10 A–G.

Diagnosis. All setae found with certainty on the two specimens are tiny. There may be other setae such as the first abdominal, and lateral cephalothoracic setae that were not detected.

Puparium ( Figs. 10 A–B). Oval; unpigmented, paratype with areas of brown pigment on submedian area of dorsal disc; found on undersurface of leaves; widest at abdominal segments II & III; emarginated at thoracic and caudal tracheal pores; probably with thick wax along vertical side walls/margin. Length 1.33 mm, 1 paratype, 1.20; width 1.05 mm, paratype, 0.88. Caudal and thoracic tracheal pores narrowly invaginated with 2–5 teeth ( Figs.10 D– E). Margin finely crenulated ( Figs. 10 E–F), 9–10 crenulations in 0.1 mm .

Dorsum. Finely sculptured verging to linear markings marginally ( Figs. 10B, 10E ). Submargin about 55 µm wide. Cephalothoracic (pro-, meso- & metathoracic) and abdominal depressions conspicuous. Abdominal segment VII median length 25 μm, less than half length of segment VI ( Fig. 10C ). Transverse moulting sutures extending into subdorsum. Pro-mesothoracic and meso-metathoracic sutures, and abdominal segmentation prominent, reaching subdorsal area; pro-mesothoracic suture weak medially. Tiny pores on dorsal disc. Vasiform orifice located anterior of caudal tracheal opening by its own length. Caudal furrow present and well defined.

Vasiform orifice ( Fig. 10C ). Elongate subtriangular; length 90 µm, width 60 µm, open posteriorly, floor reticulated; operculum sub-trapezoidal, covering nearly half the length of orifice, length 33 µm, width 45 µm; lingula exposed, not reaching beyond posterior margin of the vasiform orifice, terminal end slightly expanded and bluntly pointed, length 40 µm, two subapical setae, 20 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. 10G ). Ventral setae 30 µm long, 60 µm apart, about level with the anterior margin of the vasiform orifice. Adhesive sacs not clear. Anterior spiracles on abdominal segment II and posterior spiracles near vasiform orifice.

Chaetotaxy. Eighth abdominal setae tiny, 8 µm long, anteriad of vasiform orifice; 5 pairs of cephalothoracic lateral setae, tiny, 4 pairs anterior to the thoracic pore, 1 pair posterior to pore; 3–4 pairs of abdominal lateral setae, tiny, in the lateral subdorsal area. Caudal setae 5 µm. Anterior marginal setae 10 µm, posterior marginal setae 10 µm.

Material examined. Holotype: NEW ZEALAND, MC, Birdlings Flat, 25 Aug 1996, G. Hall, Coprosma propinqua leaves, ( NZAC02015598 slide 96-157), largest of two puparia on the slide is selected as the holotype.

Paratypes. 1 puparium, same data as Holotype.

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

Host plant. The only known host plant is Coprosma propinqua A. Cunn. (Rubiaceae) .

Distribution. The species has been found at Birdlings Flat, Banks Peninsular, Canterbury, New Zealand. The host plant is widespread in the North & South Islands.

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

Figures

FIGURE 10. Asterochiton propinquae n. sp. Holotype A–F. A. Dorsum line drawing, B. Dorsum slide mount, C. Abdomen VI, VII and vasiform orifice, D. Caudal pore, E. Thoracic pore and tracheal fold, F. Marginal crenulations on either side of the longitudinal suture, note the anterior marginal setae, G. Antenna and legs.