Paraleyrodes triungulae, John H. Martin, 2004

John H. Martin, 2004, Whiteflies of Belize (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Part 1 — introduction and account of the subfamily Aleurodicinae Quaintance & Baker, Zootaxa 681, pp. 1-86 : 69

Paraleyrodes triungulae sp. nov.

( Figs 53–54, 107)

ADULT MALE. Body 1.33–1.37 mm long, including parameres (n=2). Aedeagus ( Figs 53–54, 107) with its main axis termination ventrally­curved and claw­like; with two smaller lateral processes, one of which is similar in shape to apex of main axis, the other more spine­like; additionally with a dorsal thumb­like protrusion; overall aedeagal length 0.13 / 0.14 mm in the two available specimens. Last abdominal segment 0.15 / 0.16 mm long, normal; claspers 0.18 mm long. Abdomen with the normal three pairs of ventro­lateral wax­secreting glands present. Single antennal flagellar segment (fused segments III– VII) measuring 0.80 / 0.84 mm, densely sensoriate, typical for male Paraleyrodes . Ultimate rostral segment 0.11 / 0.12 mm long.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. Holotype adult male, BELIZE, CFR, Guacamallo Bridge — Millionario road, on Guettarda combsii (Rubiaceae) , 25.ii.1996 (J.H.Martin #6707) ( BMNH). Paratype: 1 adult male, same data as holotype, on same slide ( BMNH).

ETYMOLOGY. The specific name incorporates the Latin word ungula (meaning a talon or claw), with the name triungulae referring to the three ventrolateral developments of the aedeagal apex.

COMMENTS. In lateral aspect, the aedeagal apex somewhat resembles that of P. p e r ­ plexus sp. nov. and P. pseudonaranjae Martin (Figs 122 and 120, respectively), with clawlike ventral processes, but in P. triungulae these are uneven in size and position, as well as being more curved and talon­like. A single puparium collected as part of this sample, and present on the type slide, resembles P. bondari Peracchi but there is no evidence of association of this puparium with the holotype and paratype of P. triungulae .