Key to species of Ceroplastes in China, based on the morphology of the adult female

( Ceroplastes actiniformis Green is not included in this key, since no specimens were available for study and a detail description was not found in any published paper.)

1. Tibia and tarsus fused; tubular ducts absent from venter....................................................... 2

- Tibia and tarsus not fused; tubular ducts present on venter..................................................... 3

2. Stigmatic setae of 2 types, bullet-like and hemispherical; with 2 pairs of setae between antennae........ C. rubens Maskell

- Stigmatic setae of 1 type, all bullet-like; with 8–11 pairs of setae between antennae............... C. stellifer (Westwood)

3. Ventral tubular ducts each with a very short, swollen inner ductule, ducts forming a submarginal band from near each scape almost to anal cleft; mediodorsal clear area absent........................................................... 4

- Ventral tubular ducts each with a long thin inner ductule, not forming a submarginal band, present in both the cephalic region and posteriorly in association with the anogenital fold, or only in the cephalic region; mediodorsal clear area present or absent ................................................................................................... 8

4. Each margin with stigmatic setae forming a continuous row between spiracular clefts, with only 4–6 flagellate marginal setae interspersed amongst them................................................................ C. japonicus Green

- Each margin with anterior and posterior stigmatic setae on thoracic margin separated by a row of more than 8 flagellate marginal setae........................................................................................... 5

5. Multilocular pores absent from venter of thorax and anterior abdominal segments; dorsum with a submarginal band of filamentous ducts................................................................... C. planus Wu & Wang, sp. nov.

- Multilocular pores present on venter of thorax and anterior abdominal segments; dorsum without a submarginal band of filamentous ducts........................................................................................ 6

6. Multilocular pores absent from near base of procoxa; wax test bi-coloured, orange-red in central area and whitish at margin..................................................................................... C. centroroseus Chen

- Multilocular pores present near base of procoxa; wax test all one colour.......................................... 7

7. Claw digitules unequal in size; dorsum with 5-locular pores; wax test orange-red............ C. kunmingensis (Tang & Xie)

- Claw digitules equal in size; dorsal pores each with 1-4 loculi, never with 5 loculi; wax test white... C. floridensis Comstock

8. Antennae each with 7 segments; dorsal setae often clearly capitate........................ C. cirripediformis Comstock

- Antennae with 6 or 7 segments; dorsal setae never clearly capitate.............................................. 9

9. Mediodorsal clear area absent; dorsum and venter with submarginal filamentous ducts; claw digitules unequal in size; ventral tubular ducts present in both cephalic region and posteriorly in association with the anogenital fold................... 10

- Mediodorsal clear area present; dorsum and venter without submarginal filamentous ducts; claw digitules unequal in size; ventral tubular ducts present only in cephalic region......................................................... 11

10. Each stigmatic group containing about 50 enlarged setae, arranged in 4–5 irregular rows........... C. ceriferus (Fabricius)

- Each stigmatic group usually containing more than 70 enlarged setae, arranged in 6–7 irregular rows.................................................................................................... C. pseudoceriferus Green

11. Antennae each with 7 segments; stigmatic clefts deep, each with a large group of>45 enlarged setae; tibio-tarsal articulatory sclerosis absent...................................................................................... 12

- Antennae each with 6 segments; stigmatic clefts shallow, each with a small group of <30 enlarged setae; tibio-tarsal articulatory sclerosis present..................................................................................... 13

12. Anal process long and slender, about 1/2 length of body; stigmatic setae of one type, bullet-like........ C. murrayi Froggatt

- Anal process short, not more than 1/3 length of body; stigmatic setae of two types, bullet-like and hemispherical............................................................................................ C. magnificus (Green)

13. Dorsal cephalic clear area present; dorsal setae each with apex very blunt; quinquelocular pores in spiracular furrow forming a wide band, 5–10 pores wide............................................................... C. rusci (Linnaeus)

- Dorsal cephalic clear area absent; dorsal setae conical, each with apex pointed; quinquelocular pores in spiracular furrow forming a narrow band, 2–3 pores wide.................................................. C. xishuangensis Tang & Xie