Alpinococcus elongatus, Henderson, Rosa C., 2007

Henderson, Rosa C., 2007, Three new genera and six new species of felt scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) from mountain habitats in New Zealand, Zootaxa 1449, pp. 1-29 : 5-7

Alpinococcus elongatus sp. nov.

( Fig. 1 )

Live appearance: unknown.

Adult females and a single (presumed) 2nd-instar nymph available.

Description of adult female, measurements taken from 4 specimens ( Fig. 1 ).

Body elongate-oval, 0.68–1.16 mm wide, 2.13–3.85 mm long; derm membranous. Eyespots present on margin posterior to antennae. Marginal setae spinose with a sharply pointed tip, mostly larger than dorsal setae, 5–60 μm long, numerous, in a band rather than a line. Antennae usually 2-segmented (sometimes antenna on one side 3-segmented), 55–80 μm long, segments distal to scape fused, segment I (scape) with 3 setae, proximal half of long segment II with 4 pairs of setae, terminal part with 5 fleshy setae, 3 long flagellate setae and 3 or 4 short flagellate setae. Labium 75–85 μm long with 2 pairs of setae basally and 4 pairs distally. Anal lobes long, outer margin in a continuous line with body margin, tapering to a point with 2 terminal bosses, lobes moderately sclerotised around margins, width at LD1 90–115 μm, length 155–185 μm; apical seta not terminal, on outer margin opposite inner margin seta LD2; 1–2 additional dorsal setae and 2–4 additional ventral setae present; anal lobe setae lengths (μm): LD1 32.5–42.5, LD2 32.5–40; LD3 32.5–50, LD4 32.5–47.5, LD5 32.5–40, LV1 25–37.5, LV2 25–32.5, LV3 (on a raised base) 35–50, LV4 15–17.5, LV5 20, apical seta 100–120; suranal seta 20–30 μm long. Anal ring dorsal at base of lobes, with 3 rows of cells and 6 anal ring setae. Legs either much reduced to a vestigial patch, or reduced to a tapering triangular shape of fused segments, both forms with one small seta at base, one long distal trochanteral seta, and with 2 pairs of digitules, the tarsal digitules particularly well developed and about twice as long as the claw digitules, claw either short or vestigial, without a denticle. Dorsum. Dorsal setae spinose with sharply pointed tips, 10–30 μm, longest setae on posterior abdomen, with about 4 setae in a row on each abdominal segment, and in 2 sparse longitudinal lines on thorax and head. Dorsal cruciform pores as for genus, 4.5–5.5 μm wide; most numerous on submargin and scattered medially on abdomen with a few submedially on thorax. Venter. Ventral setae flagellate to spinose, 7.5–35 μm long, with about 4–6 per row on abdominal segments. Disc-pores wide-rimmed, 5-locular, 4–5 μm wide; in a continuous band around body submargin ending each side at anal cleft; this band varying in width from 1–3 pores at narrowest and 8–10 pores at widest, with a lateral extension of 30–50 pores mesad just anterior to each spiracle; with additional 10–12 pores by each side of mouthparts. Vulva a wide slit with slightly sclerotised margins, present between segments VII and VIII. Mesothoracic spiracle length 47.5–50 μm, width across peritreme 20–22.5 μm; metathoracic spiracle length 45–50 μm, width across peritreme 17.5–20 μm.

Comments. Diagnostic features of adult female as for genus. The figure was drawn from the holotype female which has the most developed legs, but because it has fewer anal lobe setae compared to the other specimens, additional setae are shown in the anal lobe vignettes. The cruciform pore structural side view was from a dorso-ventrally split (slide-mounted) specimen.

The single (presumed) 2nd-instar nymph differs from the adult female in its slightly smaller size, and in lacking all legs and a vulva. Because of its close similarity to the adult and its apodous state, it is possibly an aberrant specimen and therefore not described here.

Type material. Holotype female: NEW ZEALAND, MB, Wairau, Red Hill, 1070 m, 23 Mar 1972, JA de Boer, Schoenus pauciflorus, No. 829/1.

Paratypes: as for holotype, on same slide with holotype female: 1 2nd-instar nymph. (without legs); No. 829/2–6: 5/5FF (3 split dorso-ventrally).

Other material examined: TO, Tongariro National Park, 1160 m, 25 Sep 1973, JA de Boer, Schoenus pauciflorus, No. 1039: 1 /1F (split dorso-ventrally).

Etymology. The specific epithet elongatus refers to the long, narrow body of this scale insect.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Alpinococcus elongatus sp. nov., adult female. Anal lobe setae LD 1 – LD 5 dorsal surface: LD 1 anterior inner margin seta, LD 2 posterior inner margin seta, LD 3 lateral margin seta, LD 4 - 5 additional dorsal setae; LV 1 median ventral surface seta, LV 2 - 5 additional ventral setae; SS suranal seta.