Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) cornuatus Qiao

Chen, Jing, Zhang, Bin, Zhu, Xichao, Jiang, Liyun & Qiao, Gexia, 2015, Review of the aphid genus Aspidophorodon Verma, 1967 with descriptions of three new species from China (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae), Zootaxa 4028 (4), pp. 551-576 : 558

Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) cornuatus Qiao sp. nov.

( Figs 1–19 , Table 1 )

Specimens examined. Holotype: apterous viviparous female, CHINA: Tibet (Yadong County, 27.52°N, 88.97°E, altitude 2800 m), 15.viii.2010, No. 25908-2-3-1, on Salix cupularis , coll. Y. Wang (NZMC). Paratypes: 5 apterous viviparous females (slides), and 1 apterous viviparous female (COI: KJ374724 ; Buchnera 16S rRNA: KT 221035 ), with the same collection data as holotype (NZMC); 2 apterous viviparous females, No. 25908-2-1, with the same collection data as holotype (BMNH).

Etymology. The new species is named for its long horn-shaped antennal tubercles. The Latin word “ cornuatus ” means “horn-shaped”.

Description. Apterous viviparous females: Color of living specimens: yellow. General measurements see Table 1 .

Color of mounted specimens: body pale ( Fig. 9 ).

Body. Elliptical.

Head. Dorsum of head covered with many small oval or semicircular sculptures ( Figs 1 , 10 ), venter smooth with slight wrinkles. Median frontal tubercle distinctly protuberant, hemispherical ( Figs 1 , 10 ), with 1 pair of long pointed setae on venter. Antennal tubercles long horn-shaped, strongly imbricated, each with a short capitate seta at apex ( Figs 1 , 10 ). Dorsal setae of head short and capitate. Head with 1 pair of cephalic setae, 1 pair of dorsal setae between antennae, and 2 pairs of dorsal setae between compound eyes arranged transversely ( Fig. 1 ). Antennae 5- segmented, Ant.I–II smooth, with weak wrinkles, Ant.IV–V imbricated; Ant.I with a distinct projection at inner apex ( Figs 2 , 11 ). Antennal setae short, capitate or blunt at apices; Ant.I–V each with 4, 3, 3, 1, 1–2+1 setae, respectively; PT with 2–3 apical setae. Primary rhinaria not ciliated, secondary rhinaria absent. Rostrum reaching between fore and mid-coxae, with apex dark brown. URS thin and long wedge-shaped ( Figs 3 , 12 ), with 2 pairs of primary setae and 2 pairs of accessory setae.

Thorax. Thoracic nota with irregular polygonal reticulations. Pro-, meso-, and metanotum each with 1 pair of marginal processes, each process with a short capitate seta at apex ( Fig. 4 ); processes on pronotum very small, conical ( Figs 4 , 13 ); processes on meso- and metanotum long horn-shaped, strongly imbricated, sometimes also with a short capitate seta near the middle ( Figs 4 , 14 ). Thoracic dorsal setae sparse, very short, and capitate. Legs normal, distal part of tibiae with weak spinulose stripes. Setae on hind tibia stiff and pointed. First tarsal chaetotaxy: 3, 3, 3.

Abdomen. Abdominal tergites I–VI with irregular polygonal reticulations ( Fig. 15 ), tergites VII–VIII with irregular scaly sculptures. Abdominal tergites I–IV each with 1 pair of long horn-shaped and strongly imbricated marginal processes, each process with a short capitate seta at apex ( Figs 4 , 14 ). Abdominal dorsal setae similar to those on thorax. Abdominal tergite VIII with 4 long, thick, and capitate setae. SIPH long cylindrical, broad at base, thin at middle, slightly swollen at distal, basal half with distinct imbrications, distal part smooth, obliquely truncated at tip, without flange ( Figs 5 , 16 ). Cauda, anal plate, and genital plate with spinulose imbrications. Cauda long tongue-shaped, slightly constricted near the middle ( Figs 6 , 17 ), with 4–5 setae. Anal plate semicircular, with 11–14 setae ( Figs 7 , 18 ). Genital plate broad round, with 2–3 anterior setae and 4–5 setae along the posterior margin ( Figs 8 , 19 ).

Distribution. China (Tibet).

Host plant. Salix cupularis .

Biology. Mostly colonized on undersides of leaves of host plant. The life cycle is unknown.

Comments. The new species resembles A. (A.) harvensis Verma , but differs from it as follows: body 1.190– 1.478 mm long (in harvensis : body larger, 1.500–1.850 mm long); marginal processes on thoracic nota and abdominal tergites present (in harvensis : absent); antennal tubercles long horn-shaped (in harvensis : finger-like, obtuse at apices); PT 1.27–1.55 times as long as Ant.Vb (in harvensis : equal to or a little longer than Ant.Vb).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) cornuatus Qiao sp. nov. Apterous viviparous female: 1. dorsal view of head; 2. antenna; 3. ultimate rostral segment; 4. marginal processes on thoracic nota and abdominal tergites (measurements: a. length of process; b. basal width of process; c. distal width of process); 5. siphunculus; 6. cauda; 7. anal plate; 8. genital plate. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.

FIGURES 9 – 19. Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) cornuatus Qiao sp. nov. Apterous viviparous female: 9. dorsal view of body; 10. dorsal view of head; 11. antenna; 12. ultimate rostral segment; 13. marginal process on pronotum; 14. marginal processes on meso- and metanotum and abdominal tergites I – IV; 15. irregular polygonal reticulations on abdominal dorsum; 16. siphunculus; 17. cauda; 18. anal plate; 19. genital plate. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.