Reticulaphis distylii

Yeh, Hsin-Ting, Ko, Chiun-Cheng & Hsu, Tung-Ching, 2008, Review of the East-Asian genus Reticulaphis (Aphididae: Hormaphidinae), with two new species, Zootaxa 1782, pp. 34-48 : 39

Reticulaphis distylii (van der Goot)

( Figs. 2, 3 )

Schizoneuraphis distylii van der Goot, 1917: 247.

Reticulaphis distylii (van der Goot): Hille Ris Lambers & Takahashi, 1959: 9.

Apterous adult female. Small species, body broadly ovate, black with purplish-blue burnish, marginal setae long with acute apices, body margin with waxy powder. Body 0.62–0.75 mm long, about 1.25 (1.16–1.3) times as long as wide, sometimes pleural regions of prosoma somewhat expanded. Antennae located in front of head, shorter than space between them, L-shaped bend with 3 indistinct segments, long arm about 40–47.5 μm with 2 minute rhinaria and 1 terminal seta near apex. Eyes submarginal, with 3 facets, one of these located more laterally and ventrally. Prosoma distinctly reticulated with pale thin lines, dorsum with 3 deeply transverse ridges on median area and several rounded areas surrounding it; 5 pairs of stout setae on central axis of prosoma, 1st pair between eyes, 3rd pair (on mesonotum) sometimes with 3 setae; prosoma with 10 pairs of marginal setae, these setae long, with acute apices. Legs short, front and middle legs concealed under body, hind legs somewhat exposed; front and middle tibiae shorter than femora, hind tibiae longer than or equal to femora; tarsi narrower than tibiae, longer than wide; 1 long fine capitate seta on dorsal front tarsi, 2 such setae each on middle and hind tarsi. Abdominal tergites II–VII about 185–215 μm wide and 65–85 μm long, also reticulated, without siphunculi, with 6 pairs of minute setae along converging sides of tergites. Abdominal tergite VIII an equilateral triangle, about 105–127.5 μm wide and 45–55 μm long, with 4 setae, central two long, with acute apices, nearly as long as marginal setae of prosoma, but outer two very short, sometimes not obvious. Cauda knobbed, constricted basally. Subanal plate deeply bilobed, each lobe with 5 or 6 setae.

Material examined. Taiwan: Da-an District, Taipei City, 6-iii-2003, 6 apterous adults from F. microcarpa , (J.C. Liou and H.F. Hung #74); Taipei City, 5-vi-2007, 12 apterous adults from F. microcarpa , (A.K. Dubey #611); Taipei City, on 6-xi-2006, 6-i-2007 and 21-iv-2007, 43 apterous and 6 alate adults from F. altissima , (on 5 microscope slides) (T.C. Hsu #548, #572, #598 and #599, respectively). Hengchun Township, Pingtung Co., on 9-ix-2006, 9-x-2006, and 24-iii-2007, 73 apterous adults from F. elastica , (on 10 microscope slides) (H.T. Yeh #502, #518, and #585, respectively) ( ANIC, BMNH, CDFA, NMNS, TARIIC, USNM).

Remarks. This species is extensively distributed in urban areas and suburbs, and has diverse hosts. The population density on F. altissina is sometimes very high, and an excess of honeydews can cause sooty molds. This species resembles R. fici , but differs from it in having almost rounded body shape, the pleural regions of the prosoma somewhat expanded, the marginal setae of the prosoma comparatively thick, and usually 2 setae placed on the central axis of the prosoma.

Figures

FIGURE 1 – 3. 1. Dorsal view of Reticulaphis asymmetrica apterous adult. 2, 3. Reticulaphis distylii apterous adults, (2) alive; (3) dorsal view.