Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski)

Hodgson, Chris & Foldi, Imre, 2006, A review of the Margarodidae sensu Morrison (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and some related taxa based on the morphology of adult males, Zootaxa 1263 (1), pp. 1-250 : 1-250

Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski)

( Fig. 10 )

Sphaeraspis prieskaensis Jakubski, 1965: 120 .

Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski) : Ben­Dov, 2005: 66.

Material studied

SOUTH AFRICA: Upington , no host, Aug. 1977, De Klerk ( MNHN): 2/2ad ♂♂ (in fair condition but both lacking wings) .

Mounted material

Large, 3.87–4.38 mm long, 0.70–0.88 mm wide across prealare. Body with rather few setae; setae rather variable in length, of 1 type only with a shallow socket, with rather parallel­sides, tapering eventually to a fairly sharp point; length 10–45 m, but mainly about 10–30 m; collared setae (cs) and hairs (hrs) absent; loculate pores (lp) each 5–8 m wide and with 2 or 3 round loculi, present almost throughout; convex pores (cp) absent. Antennae of moderate length, 10­segmented, most segments short and broad, with short, parallel­sided setae; satellite setae (sats) absent; long setae absent on apical 9 segments. Some sclerotised areas with shallow nodulations. Legs well developed but all relatively short; anterior legs fossorial; metathoracic leg significantly longest; profemur relatively setose with bifurcated setae (bs), each seta divided for only a short distance from apex; other legs with clearly fewer setae; tibial and tarsal spurs absent; tarsi 1 segmented; claws bi­ or trifurcated; claw digitules acute. Abdominal segment I not visible ventrally; with tubular ducts on segments VI and VII; without lateral caudal extensions. Penial sheath strongly sclerotised and appearing rather triangular, with a quite long aedeagus.

Head

More or less triangular in dorsal view, length 265–320 m, width across compound eyes 425– 515 m. Dorsally: dorsomedial part of epicranium (dmep) with a triangular area of sclerotisation, with 1–4 pairs of short setae but no lp. Midcranial ridge (mcr) absent. Postoccipital suture (pos) present as a broad, irregularly ridged, transverse sclerotisation; without postocciput (poc) posteriorly. Laterally: each compound eye (cde) with about 80–90 ommatidia, each ommatidium about 18–20 m wide; length of cde 240– 260 m. Compound eyes (cde) covering most of head, almost touching ventrally but with quite a broad gap between cde dorsally; each with sclerotised ridges along all margins (although mainly hidden beneath eyes); dorsally each with dorsal extensions of preocular ridge (procr) anteriorly and postocular ridge (pocr) posteriorly; ventrally probably with a ventral extension of preocular ridge (procr) anteriorly and preoral ridge (pror) posteriorly; sclerotised ventral projection (p) absent. Ocular sclerite (ocs) present dorsally, posterior to cde, sclerotised, probably each with a single large ocellus (o) but these unclear. Ventrally: head almost entirely covered by compound eyes (cde), but with a fairly short sclerotised ventral mid­cranial ridge (vmcr) extending posteriorly from between antennae and expanding into a heavily­sclerotised, diamond­shaped ventromedial part of epicranium (vmep) posteriorly, with a total of 20–26 short setae + 1–4 lp. Ventral plate (vp) present medially on posterior margin of head, 5 sided and well sclerotised; lateral margins heavily sclerotised; mouth (m) present immediately posterior to ventral plate. Cranial apophysis (ca) apparently absent. Tentorial pits, tentorial arms, tentorial bridge and tendon­like apodemes not detected.

Antennae: 10 segmented, of moderate length; most segments a little longer than twice width; total length 2.0–2.1 mm (ratio of total­body length to antennal length 1:0.5). Scape (scp) 138–145 m long, 125–140 m wide; sclerotised, with 5–9 long setae (each 55–70 m) on dorsal and inner margin + 10 or 11 very short setae (each 20–33 m), mainly along proximal margin on dorsal surface. Pedicel (pdc) 80–95 m long, 105–125 m wide, articulating with scape; with 19–22 long setae + 1 campaniform sensillum (camp). Most remaining segments broadening distally, each about 40–45 m wide proximally and 95–115 m distally; lengths (m): III 190–225; IV 240–255; V 230–260; VI 250–265; VII 225–250; VIII 200–225; IX 195–225; X 225–255. Each segment with many rather parallel­sided setae, each seta quite short and narrowing to a sharp point, each mainly 20–28 m long; satellite setae (sats) absent; setae on distal end of all terminal eight segments longer and more spinose, up to 35 m long. Segment X with a few small setae and 2 or 3 coeloconic sensilla (cos) near apex. Antennal bristles (ab) on segment X similar to the larger setae on distal end of more proximal segments.

Thorax

Prothorax: separated from head by a broad neck with little indication of a cervical groove. Dorsally: pronotum (prn) probably represented by some lightly sclerotised areas just posterior to head. With a pair of large, quite strongly sclerotised, post­tergites (pt), each about 250 m long, broadest posteriorly. Laterally with a pair of strong cervical sclerites (cv) which broaden greatly anteriorly (part of ventral sclerites (vs)?), and with a short extension dorsally which appears to articulate with ventral end of postocular ridge (pocr); with a large pleural apophysis (pla 1); pleural ridge (plr 1) rather short. Ventrally: prosternum (stn 1) unclear but apparently membranous, without a sternite or prosternal apophyses. Setae and lp as follows: dorsally with few median pronotal setae (mpns) but with many lp, extending to below ocelli laterally; with a group of 5 or 6 short post­tergital setae + a few lp just laterad to each post­tergite; laterally with a group of lp plus an occasional propleural seta (pl 1 s) on each side of prothorax laterad to post­tergites; ventrally with 1–3 pairs of anteprosternal setae (astn 1 s) plus many lp postero­laterally to ventral plate; apparently without prosternal (stn 1 s) and antemesospiracular setae (asp 2 s) or pores.

Mesothorax: dorsally: prescutum (prsc) large and triangular to oval (length about 220 m, greatest width about 480 m), surface faintly nodulated; mesoprephragma (phr 1) short; prescutal ridges (pscr) short, mesad to each prealare (pra); prescutal sutures (pscs) forming a distinct groove between prescutum and scutum; without prescutal setae (prscs). Scutum (sct) sclerotised throughout and not nodulated; without a median membranous area posterior to prescutum; with a large group of scutal setae (scts) (each 15–20 m long) plus many lp medially on each side of scutum. Scutellum (scl) triangular; apex of scutellum about 380 m posterior to prescutum; scutellum with a strong ridge (rd) along posterior margin, extending postero­laterally along posterior margin of scutum to posterior notal wing process (pnp); without oval membranous areas laterally; with a group of 3 small scutellar setae (scls) plus 8–12 lp on each side. Mesopostnotum (pn 2) with a large membranous area; mesopostnotal apophyses (pn 2 a) large; postalare (pa) well developed. Laterally: prealare (pra) elongate. Each tegula (teg) large and sclerotised, with a group of 20–25 short tegular setae (tegs). Mesopleural ridge (plr 2) well developed; pleural apophysis (pla 2) shallow. Mesepisternum (eps 2) not nodulated. Mesothoracic spiracles (sp 2): width of peritremes 80–85 m, each with a broad, sclerotised muscle plate. Ventrally: basisternum (stn 2) not nodulated, approximate length 420 m, width 860 m; with 35–40 short setae on either side; median ridge (mdr) absent but indicated by some shallow striations; marginal ridge (mr) absent anteriorly but broad marginally between basisternum and lateropleurite (lpl); posteriorly with well­developed precoxal ridges (pcr 2); furca (f) well developed, broad basally with a distinct waist, lateral arms quite long; lateropleurite (lpl) large and triangular, bounded posteriorly by a broad precoxal ridge and laterally by a strong subepisternal ridge (ser); each lpl with a group of about 18 short setae (lpls) plus some lp; subepisternal ridge (ser) distinct posteriorly but fading anteriorly. Postmesospiracular setae (pm 2 s) absent. Wing sclerites: wings missing on both specimens.

Metathorax: dorsally: metapostnotum (pn 3) represented by large lateral sclerites; with a few metatergal setae (mts) plus more lp medially; without dorsospiracular setae (dss). Laterally: suspensorial sclerites (ss) present. Metapleural ridge (plr 3) well developed; with about 3 postmetaspiracular setae (eps 3 s) plus about 15 lp on each side. Metepisternum (eps 3) present as a sclerotisation on ventral margin of metapleural ridge (plr 3); metepimeron (epm 3) short. Antemetaspiracular setae (am 3 s) absent; metaprecoxal ridge (pcr 3) well developed and extending about 165 m medio­ventrally. Posterior spiracles (sp 3): width of peritremes about 80 m. Ventrally: metasternum (stn 3) sclerotised, triangular, with long, narrow lateral apophyses (stn 3 a). Postmesoprecoxal ridge setae (ppcr 2 s) absent; anterior metasternal setae (amss): perhaps 1 seta; posterior metasternal setae (pmss): with a total of about 16 hs on metasternum (stn 3).

Wings: missing on both specimens. Hamulohalteres (h) each lightly sclerotised, narrow proximally and broadening significantly distally, with a strong vein along anterior proximal margin; with a distinct indentation on anterior margin about 1/3rd along; length 400–425 m, width 125–130 m; with 1 blunt, apically bent, hamulus (ham).

Legs: prothoracic legs fossorial; middle legs noticeably shorter than metathoracic legs. Prothoracic legs as follows: lengths (m): coxae (cx) 500–550; trochanter (tr) + femur (fm) 775; tibia (ti) 250–275; tarsus (ta) 115, claw (c) 250–275. Coxae (cx) with about 25 short setae (each 16–20 m long) near coxal base + 45–50 long setae (each 50–60 m) on inner distal surface; bifurcated setae (bs) present on anterior margin of femur and tibia (bifurcation shallow near apex). Trochanter (tr) with about 6–10 campaniform sensilla (camp) and 25–30 setae; femur (fm) with numerous long setae (each 80–105 m long) in addition to bifurcated setae (bs), but without short setae. Tibia (ti) with numerous long setae + bifurcated setae; short setae absent; tibio­tarsal segmentation distinct but without articulation. Tarsi (ta) with about 18 long setae + 2 short setae (length about 12 m); tibial (tibs) and tarsal spurs (tabs) absent, although tarsus with 2 longer and slightly stouter setae; with probably 2 campaniform sensilla (camp) on proximal dorsal surface. Claws (c) broadly fused to base of tarsus, with no articulation; without distinct claw digitules (cdgt), but with 4 long setae (each about 100 m long) plus 2 even longer (up to 125 m long), which might represent digitules (cdgt). Meso­ and metathoracic legs: lengths (m): coxa: II 400–425; III 412–450; metacoxa with a group of about 20–25 very short setae near base, plus 30–45 long setae distally. Trochanter (tr) + femur (fm): II 675–690; III 775–790 m long; metatrochanter with 20–30 long setae, and with a group of 7–12 campaniform sensilla (camp) on each lateral surface near coxal articulation; without a long seta on ventral distal end; metafemur with 30 longer setae (length 25–40 m) + 10 short setae (each 8–10 m long); bifurcated setae (bs) absent. Tibia (ti): II 600–690; III 860–925 m long; metatibia with numerous spur­like setae along ventral and lateral margins and 7 short setae distally; dorsal setae longer and more flagellate; bifurcated setae (bs) absent; tibial spurs (tibs) absent. Tarsi (ta) 1 segmented, II 200–220; III 190–225 m long; each with a group of at least 2 or 3 campaniform sensilla (camp) on proximal dorsal surface; without bifurcated setae but with about 10 spur­like setae along ventral and lateral surfaces plus 3–5 small setae; without tarsal spurs (tabs); tarsal digitules (tdgt) absent. Claws (c) rather long and shovel­like, bi­ or trifurcated; without a denticle (cd); claw III 133–140 m long, with 2 short, spine­like digitules (cdgt), each 36–50 m long; claw broadly attached to tarsus.

Abdomen

Almost entirely membranous, with no caudal extensions. Large tergites (at) and sternites (as) present on all segments (except perhaps tergites V–VIII, which may be absent). Loculate pores (lp) present medially on dorsum and mediolaterally on venter. Dorsal abdominal setae (ads) (each 10–17 m long), distributed as follows (lp, when present, tending to be along anterior margin of segments): segment I (totals) about 8 setae + 14 lp; II 10 setae + 20 lp; III–VI 8–12 setae + 11–25 lp; VII 0 setae + perhaps 20 lp, and VIII 7 setae. Ventral abdominal setae (avs) slightly longer (each 12–25 m) and stronger, as follows: II–V 17–21 setae + 2–5 lp laterally; VI and VII 6 or 7 setae + 0 lp; VIII 19 setae medially. Pleurites: perhaps with some light sclerotisation on all segments but particularly on VIII; pleural setae: dorsal setae (dpls) very few, perhaps with 2 or 3 setae on each side; pores absent; ventral pleural setae (vpls) (on each side): II 5 setae + 2–5 lp; III 4–8 setae + 3 or 4 lp; IV 8–10 setae + 8 lp; V 4–12 setae + 3–5 lp; VI 5–8 setae + 0 lp; VII and VIII 3 or 4 setae only. Segments VI and VII each with a broad group of large, sclerotised tubular ducts (tdc) dorsally, group on segment VI with 13–24 ducts and that on VII with 37–54 ducts, all subequal in size, each about 16–18 m wide and 35–40 m long; each duct with fairly distinct longitudinal ridges; each group of ducts with a few minute setae (each 2–4 m long) and a line of longer setae along anterior margin of group. Abdominal spiracles (asp): 6 pairs, on segments II–VII, each oval, weakly sclerotised and most easily detected by tracheae, each opening 30 by 40 m wide; none detected on segments I and VIII.

Genital segment: anal opening (a) present on dorsal surface of penial sheath, about 70 m wide. Penial sheath (ps) strongly sclerotised, appearing approximately triangular, narrowing to a blunt apex; about 475–500 m long, 335–360 m wide at base; with many short setae (pss) (each perhaps 11–18 m long) and with small sensilla (spp) near apex. Penial sheath with a ventral slit through which aedeagus (aed) emerges. Aedeagus (aed) strongly sclerotised, broad, widening basally, probably with a ventral extension anteriorly (50 m long) to a basal rod (bra); aedeagus about 310–350 m long, 160 m wide at base, probably with an eversible endophallus (eph) (possibly without spines).

Comment The males of M. prieskaensis differ significantly from those of M.? chukar described below, as follows (character­states on M.? chukar in parenthesis): (i) most antennal segments significantly longer than broad (ring­like); (ii) compound eyes meeting medially ventrally but not dorsally (meet medially both dorsally and ventrally); (iii) loculate pores frequent throughout body (absent); (iv) profemur with numerous bifurcated setae (absent); (v) postmesoprecoxal ridge setae absent (present); (vi) post­tergite elongate (more or less quadrate); (vii) dorsospiracular setae absent (abundant); (viii) abdominal pleurites absent (present); (ix) claws bi­ or trifurcate (large but not divided); (x) thoracic spiracles well developed (reduced); (xi) tubular ducts on abdominal segments VI and VII in distinct groups (in transverse rows), and (xii) abdominal spiracles small (large).

Unfortunately Theron (1958) did not describe the setae and their distribution on Margarodes vitium Giard (= Margarodes (Sphaeraspis) vitis (Philippi)) , the species of Margarodes he described. However, based on gross integumental morphology, M. prieskaensis is very similar.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Male Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski). Letters as for Fig. 6 except D = side view of aedeagus, and U = tip of apical antennal segment.