Psoraleococcus multipori (Morrison)

Family

Lecanodiaspididae

Field characters

According to Morrison (1921) “Inclosed [sic] in a rather dark brownish or reddish sac, which is irregular in shape, circular to oval, usually broader behind, somewhat convex, typically with rounded, clear, shining, median longitudinal ridge, bordered on each side by a pitted longitudinal groove of varying distinctness, all the surface except the median ridge covered over with white wax, which becomes thick and almost paltelike along the margin, while varying in thickness in different spots dorsally….” Occurring on the stems of the host inside carton tents constructed by ants.

Validation characters

Cribriform plates numbering more than 15 on each side of body, occurring on thorax and abdomen; 2 rows of multilocular pores on thorax; legs absent; antennae 7-segmented; marginal row of 8-shaped pores; stigmatic furrow sclerotized at body margin, with stigmatic setae; anal ring with 5 pairs of setae. Other characters: Invaginated tubular ducts present; anal area with arch plate.

Comparison

Psoraleococcus multipori is similar to P. multicribratus Lambdin & Kosztarab by having more than 15 cribriform plates on each side of body; cribriform plates on abdomen and thorax; anterior and posterior spiracular setae present; stigmatic furrow sclerotized at body margin, with stigmatic setae (often difficult to see or broken); legs absent. Psoraleococcus multipori differs by having 2 rows of multilocular pores on the thorax (only 1 row on P. multicribratus).

U.S. quarantine notes

This species was intercepted 7 times at U. S. ports-of-entry between 1995 and 2012, originating from Vietnam. We also have examined specimens taken in quarantine from The Philippines (Garcinia, Musa); Taiwan (Litchi); Vietnam (Annona, Areca). ScaleNet includes hosts in , and , but it is most commonly intercepted on Annona (Annonaceae). ScaleNet distribution records include countries in the Oriental zoogeographic region only. No other species of Psoraleococcus have been taken in quarantine at U.S. ports-of-entry.

Important references

Morris1921; LambdiKo1973.

Scalenet catalog and citation list

Click here for a Catalog.