Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell)

John H. Martin, 2004, Whiteflies of Belize (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Part 1 — introduction and account of the subfamily Aleurodicinae Quaintance & Baker, Zootaxa 681, pp. 1-86 : 28

Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell)

(Figs A, 10, 64, 77, 124)

Aleurodes pulvinata Maskell, 1896: 439 –441. Lectotype designated by Martin & Watson (1998), Trinidad [examined].

Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell) ; Cockerell, 1902: 280.

Aleurodicus iridescens Cockerell, 1898: 225 . Lectotype designated by Martin & Watson (1998), Mexico [examined]. [Erroneously synonymised with Aleurodicus cocois (Curtis) by Quaintance & Baker, 1913: 47; synonymised with A. pulvinatus by Martin & Watson, 1998: 93.]

DISTRIBUTION. Neotropical Region — widely distributed, especially amongst the Caribbean islands.

COMMENTS. A. pulvinatus was investigated by Martin & Watson (1998), who redefined this species, concluding that puparial pigmentation varies considerably. Puparia may be completely pale, have pronounced subdorsal pigmentation in a longitudinal stripe on each side of the puparium, or possess more limited marking in the form of a pair of thoracic patches or, occasionally, a median thoracic patch (Figs 64, 124). This species is widespead in the Caribbean area, where it sometimes causes considerable damage to coconut palms, but has not been encountered in pest proportions in Belize despite being collected on many occasions.