Aleuroplatus alcocki (Peal)

Dubey, Anil Kumar & David, Vasantharaj, 2012, Studies on the Indian species of Aleuroplatus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), with designation of a neotype puparium for Aleurodes alcocki Peal, Zootaxa 3303, pp. 50-58 : 52-54

Aleuroplatus alcocki (Peal)

Aleurodes alcocki Peal, 1903: 74 .

Aleuroplatus alcocki (Peal) Quaintance & Baker, 1914: 98 .

Peal (1903) described this species from specimens collected in Bihar and Calcutta (Kolkata), India on banyan ( Ficus indica ) and Ficus religiosa . Singh (1931) provided a description of the immatures and adults based on specimens collected on F. religiosa in Pusa, Bihar. The species has also been reported from South India, Madras (Chennai), on F. religiosa ( David & Subramanian, 1976) . The original description states “puparium color yellow”, but the syntypes on which the species was based ( Mound & Halsey, 1978) cannot be traced. These specimens are presumed to be lost permanently, and under these circumstances, the Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Article 75) permits the designation of a Neotype to act as the name bearer for a species. In accordance with this provision, a more recently collected specimen identified as A. alcocki is here designated as the neotype for this species.

This species ( Figs 2–3 , 15–19 ) is readily distinguished from other members of the genus in India by the paler brown cuticle of the puparia, with an elevated cephalic longitudinal moulting suture keel ( Figs 2 , 16 ). However, this character was found to vary within populations. Also, the circular vasiform orifice observed with a comb of teeth on the inner posterior margin ( Figs 3 , 18 ).

Material studied. Neotype puparium here designated, India, Tamil Nadu, Madras, on Ficus religiosa , 31 July 1971 (B. V. David). The central left puparium among 15 puparia on one slide is the neotype (Indian Agricultural Research Institute, registration number 109/8/8/1); the remaining 14 puparia on this slide represent the same species. One slide bearing the same data as the neotype is in BMNH (personal comm. with Jon Martin). Other material: India, Maharastra, Silvassa, Khanwell, 1 puparium on Grewia sp., S. George; Khata Amba, 1 puparium on Casearia esculenta , 24.x.1995, S. George; Nota Pondha, 1 puparium on Casearia esculenta , 24.x.1995, S. George; 3 puparia on 3 slides, Silvassa, Dadra, 27.ii.1995, S. George; New Delhi, Pusa, 2 puparia on 2 slides, on Morus alba , 7.xi.2003, B. V. David ( IDAV).

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 7. A. alcocki, holotype puparium. 2, dorsal and ventral views. 3, vasiform orifice. Fig. 4 – 7. A. cinnamomi, holotype puparium. 4, dorsal and ventral views. 5, margin. 6, median area of abdomen showing presence of three pores and associated porettes. 7, vasiform orifice and posterior abdominal area.

FIGURES 15 – 27. Types and determined material. Figs 15 – 19, A. alcocki, neotype puparium. 15, same, puparium. 16, cephalic median fold. 17, thoracic tracheal comb. 18, vasiform orifice and posterior marginal area. 19, neotype slide. Figs 20 – 23, A. incisus. 20, same, puparium. 21, thoracic tracheal comb. 22, vasiform orifice and posterior marginal area. 23, enlarged view of vasiform orifice. Figs 24 – 27, A. cinnamomi, holotype puparium. 24, same, abdominal area, 25, median abdominal area showing three pores and associated porettes. 26, vasiform orifice and caudal tracheal comb. 27, margin and submarginal tubercles.