Neonipponaphis pustulosis, Chen, Jing & Qiao, Ge-Xia, 2012

Chen, Jing & Qiao, Ge-Xia, 2012, First record of the aphid genus Neonipponaphis Takahashi (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Hormaphidinae) from China, with a description of one new species, ZooKeys 236, pp. 81-89 : 84-87

Neonipponaphis pustulosis sp. n. Figures 1-19

Locus typicus.

China (Fujian, 27.73279°N, 117.64512°E, altitude 1080 m).

Etymology.

The new species is named for the small and crowded pustules on the dorsum of prosoma. " Pustulosis " (Latin) means "blister, bubble".

Description.

Apterous viviparous females: Body round, flat, thickened, and strongly sclerotized (Figs 1, 9, 19). Reddish brown or blackish brown in life (Figs 18, 19). For morphometric data see Table 1.

Mounted specimens.

Body brown; antennae and legs light brown. Prosoma consisting of fused head, thorax, and abdominal segment I; abdominal segments II–VII fused and distinctly separated from prosoma; abdominal segment VIII free (Figs 1, 9). Dorsum of prosoma with many oval or irregular-shaped pustules, small and crowded (Figs 1, 9, 16); pustules on vertical area of body similar, but those around the thoracic spiracles much smaller, protuberant, and conical in shape. Muscle attachment plates distinct, forming radial pattern with dorsal pustules (Figs 1, 9). Abdominal tergites II–VII wrinkled and with irregular oval markings (Fig. 1). Cauda (Figs 7, 14), anal plate (Figs 8, 15), and genital plate with spinulose sculptures. Dorsum of prosoma and marginal vertical area of body with numerous fine and pointed setae; head with a pair of cephalic setae, thick, stiff, and pointed; dorsum of prosoma with 13 pairs of submarginal setae, long, thick, and stiff, head dorsum with 3 pairs, pronotum with 2 pairs, mesonotum with 3 pairs, metanotum with 3 pairs, abdominal tergite I with 2 pairs; pro-, meso-, metanotum, and abdominal tergite I each with a pair of spinal setae, long, thick, and stiff; abdominal tergites II–VII with 17-27 scattered fine and pointed setae, shorter than dorsal setae on prosoma; tergites II–VII each with a pair of long submarginal setae, setae on tergites V and VI shorter; tergites II and VII each with a pair of spinal setae, stiff and pointed; tergite VIII with 6-8 dorsal setae (Fig. 1). Cephalic setae, marginal setae on abdominal tergite I, and dorsal setae on tergite VIII 1.60-2.88 times, 2.27-3.75 times, and 1.91-3.20 times as long as basal width of antennal segment III, respectively. Medial frons not protuberant (Figs 1, 9). Eyes 3-faceted (Fig. 1). Antennae short, indistinctly 3-segmented, 0.14-0.17 times as long as body (Figs 4, 11). Setae on antennae sparse; segments I–III each with 1, 2, 0+0 setae, respectively; processus terminalis with 3 apical setae. Primary rhinaria small, round, protuberant, and placed wide apart at the apex of terminal segment. Rostrum short and thick, not reading mid-coxae. Ultimate rostral segment blunt wedge-shaped, 1.43-1.78 times as long as its basal width, 1.23-1.64 times as long as second hind tarsal segment, with 2 pairs of primary setae and a pair of secondary setae (Figs 5, 12). Legs short, smooth, trochanter and femur fused (Fig. 9). Hind tibia 0.10-0.11 times as long as body. Setae on legs sparse, tibiae setae long and fine, hind tibiae with several short peg-like setae on distal part. Setae on hind tibia 0.79-1.00 times as long as its mid-width. First tarsal chaetotaxy: 2, 2, 2. Claws normal. Siphunculi small, pore-like, on abdominal tergite VI (Figs 6, 13). Cauda knobbed, constricted at base, 0.48-0.64 times as long as its basal width, with 7-10 setae (Figs 7, 14). Anal plate bilobed, each lobe with 4-6 setae (Figs 8, 15). Genital plate transversely oval, with two anterior setae and 12-16 setae along the posterior margin.

Specimens examined.

Holotype: apterous viviparous female, CHINA: Fujian (Wuyishan City, Xingcun Town, Mount Wuyi, 27.73279°N, 117.64512°E, altitude 1080 m), 11 Jun. 2011, No. 26868-1-3, on Castanopsis eyrei , coll. J. Chen, Q. H. Liu, and X. T. Li (NZMCAS). Paratypes: 13 apterous viviparous females, with the same collection data as holotype.

Taxonomic notes.

The new species is similar to the type species Neonipponaphis shiiae Takahashi, but differs in morphology by the characters given in the key.

Host plant.

Castanopsis eyrei .

Biology.

Apterous exules live on the twigs of the host plants and are attended by ants (Figs 18, 19). Other morphs and life cycle are unknown. Typical life cycle of nipponaphidines is host-alternating and holocyclic, with gall formation on Distylium . Thus, this species is either anholocyclic on Castanopsis eyrei or has gall-inhabiting generations still unknown or known under another name on Distylium . Field observations, transfer experiments, and molecular study are needed to elucidate its life cycle.