Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell)

Martin, Jon H., 2008, A revision of Aleurodicus Douglas (Sternorrhyncha, Aleyrodidae), with two new genera proposed for palaeotropical natives and an identification guide to world genera of Aleurodicinae, Zootaxa 1835 (1), pp. 1-100 : 40-41

Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell)

(Figs A, 10, 29, 67, 68, 139)

Aleurodes pulvinata Maskell, 1896: 439 . Lectotype puparium, Trinidad [designated by Martin & Watson, 1998: 95, USNM, examined].

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

Aleurodicus iridescens Cockerell, 1898: 225 . Lectotype, Mexico [designated by Martin & Watson, 1998: 95, USNM, examined]. A. iridescens was erroneously synonymised with A. cocois (Curtis) by Quaintance & Baker, 1913: 47, but subsequently synonymised with A. pulvinatus by Martin & Watson, 1998: 93.

Aleurodicus bifasciatus Bondar, 1922: 85 . Synonymised by Bondar, 1923: 66.

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

MATERIAL EXAMINED. Type material as detailed by Martin & Watson (1998); numerous samples, from many South and Central American countries ( BMNH, CDFA, USNM) .

COMMENTS. A. pulvinatus was investigated by Martin & Watson (1998), who redefined this species, concluding that puparial pigmentation, and the size of the large compound pores (25–48 µ in diameter) 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 67 , 68 ). This species is widespead in the Caribbean area, where it sometimes causes considerable damage to coconut palms.

As discussed in the comments on A. juleikae (q.v.), the species limits of A. pulvinatus , A. cocois and A. juleikae will probably require further detailed investigation to resolve satisfactorily. As currently understood, these three species may be distinguished by use of couplets 27 and 28 of the species key, p. 19.

Figures

FIGURE 67 Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell), lectotype puparium, Trinidad, showing pigmentation to right and distribution of simple pores to left: with (a) rows of modified 8-shaped simple pores and (b) cluster of tiny bright pores adjacent to compound pore.

FIGURE 68 Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell), simplified puparial outlines, showing variation of cuticular pigmentation in samples from (a) Costa Rica, Hura crepitans, (b) Belize, Lauraceae, (c) Belize, Guettarda combsii, (d) Belize, undetermined, (e) Panamá, Isertia hypoleuca. The dashed line marks the boundary of the submarginal pore band.