Sclerosococcus tillandsiae Lambdin

Family

Asterolecaniidae

Field characters

Unknown except occurring in white waxy mass on leaves.

Validation characters

8-shaped ducts abundant on both surfaces, of 2 sizes, weakly sclerotized; apex of abdomen without sclerotization; quinquelocular and 6- and 7-locular pores on abdomen primarily arranged in rows 2 or 3 pores 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 tillandsiae is similar to S. ferrisi 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 tillandsiae differs by having apex of abdomen unslcerotized (sclerotized in S. ferrisi) and rows of multilocular pores near vulva double or triple (single in S. ferrisi).

U.S. quarantine notes

This species was intercepted 3 times at U. S. ports-of-entry between 1995 and 2012, with specimens originating from Guatemala and Mexico on bromeliads (Tillandsia). We also have examined specimens taken in quarantine from Ecuador on Tillandsia. ScaleNet lists it on Bromeliaceae only.Sclerosococcus tillandsiae is apparently native to the Neotropical region. Two other species of Sclerosococcus have been taken in quarantine in addition to S. ferrisi McKenzie and S. tillandsiae: S. bromeliae McKenzie (Mexico, on Hectia); and S. chilensis Lambdin (Chile, on bromeliad).

Important references

Lambdi1980; McKenz1958.

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