Tillancoccus tillandsiae Ben-Dov

Family

Coccidae

Field characters

Nothing is known about the field appearance of this species except that it is slightly convex in cross section and older adult females are brown and sclerotized. Based on its morphology, it seems likely that it does not form an ovisac and does not produce wax. Males are known. Occurring on the leaves of the host.

Validation characters

Without submarginal tubercles; dorsal setae conical arranged in lines; without tubular ducts; marginal setae simple with acute apices; anal plates with conspicuous discal seta; without tibio-tarsal articulation or sclerosis. Other characters: Each anal plate with 3 apical setae and no subdiscal seta; with 6 to 8 subapical setae on each plate; anal fold with 2 or 4 fringe setae; 1 pair of prevulvar setae (often obscured by anal plates); multilocular pores normally with 6 to 8 loculi; multiloculars present in vulvar area only; multilocular pores anterior of anterior spiracle predominantly with 5 loculi, about same size as pores laterad of anterior spiracle; claw with small denticle; claw digitules equal; tibia and tarsus partially fused; stigmatic setae differentiated from other marginal setae, middle seta longer than lateral setae; anal plates with posterior margin about equal to length of anterior margin; antennae usually 6-segmented; preopercular pores conspicuous, present in longitudinal line from mesothorax to anal area.

Comparison

Tillancoccus tillandsiae is very similar to T. mexicanus by having enlarged dorsal setae arranged in lines, no tubular ducts, and anal plates with discal seta. Tillancoccus tillandsiae differs by having submarginal tubercles (absent on T. mexicanus) and differently shaped dorsal setae.

U.S. quarantine notes

This species was not intercepted at U. S. ports-of-entry between 1995 and 2012, but in the 1980's and early 90's it was intercepted relatively frequently. We also have examined specimens taken in quarantine from Guatemala (bromeliad, Tillandsia); Honduras (bromeliad); Mexico (Aechmea, Tillandsia). ScaleNet includes hosts in the genus Tillandsia, on which it is commonly intercepted, and distribution records include Mexico, in the Nearctic region, and Guatemala and Honduras, in the Neotropical region. Tillancoccus mexicanus Ben-Dov and T. tillandsiae are the only species in the genus and both have been intercepted at U. S. ports-of-entry.

Important references

BenDov1989; Hodgso1994a

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