Sclerosococcus ferrisi McKenzie

Family

Asterolecaniidae

Field characters

Unknown probably occurring on leaves.

Validation characters

8-shaped ducts present on both surfaces, of 2 sizes, larger size heavily sclerotized; posterior 2 or 3 segments sclerotized; quinquelocular and 6- or 7-locular pores on abdomen primarily arranged in rows 1 pore wide, in clusters on anterior thorax and head. Other characters: Legs absent; antennae 1-segmented; without a pygidium; 8-shaped pores absent; anal ring without setae.

Comparison

Sclerosococcus ferrisi is similar to S. tillandsiae Lambdin by having 8-shaped tubular ducts, no setae in the anal ring, quinquelocular and 7-locular pores present on posterior abdomen and anterior thorax and head. Sclerosococcus ferrisi differs by having apex of abdomen sclerotized (unsclerotized in S. tillandsiae) and rows of multilocular pores near vulva single (double or triple in S. tillandsiae).

U.S. quarantine notes

This species was intercepted once at U. S. ports-of-entry between 1995 and 2012, with the specimen originating from Mexico. We also have examined specimens taken in quarantine from Mexico (Hechtia).ScaleNet lists it on . It is apparently native to Mexico, and it only occurs there. Two other species of Sclerosococcus have been taken in quarantine in addition to S. ferrisi and S. tillandsiae Lambdin: S. bromeliae McKenzie (Mexico, on Hectia); and S. chilensis Lambdin (Chile, on bromeliad).

Important references

Lambdi1980; McKenz1958.

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