Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) musaicus 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 : 560-563

Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) musaicus Qiao sp. nov.

( Figs 20–38 , Table 1 )

Specimens examined. Holotype: apterous viviparous female, CHINA: Sichuan (Meigu County, altitude 2600 m), 4.v.2005, No. 17257-1-4, host plant unknown, coll. X. L. Huang (NZMC). Paratypes: 1 apterous viviparous female (slide) and 1 apterous viviparous female (COI: KJ374722 ; Buchnera 16S rRNA: KT 221036 ), with the same collection data as holotype (NZMC); 1 apterous viviparous female, No. 17257-1-3, with the same collection data as holotype (BMNH).

Etymology. The new species is named for its mosaic-like markings on thoracic nota. The Latin word “ musaicus ” means “mosaic”.

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

Color of mounted specimens: body pale ( Fig. 28 ).

Body. Elongated oval.

Head. Dorsum of head with distinct wavy sculptures ( Figs 20 , 29 ). Median frontal tubercle distinctly protuberant ( Figs 20 , 29 ). Antennal tubercles developed, short cylindrical and wrinkled, higher than median frontal tubercle, each with a short blunt seta at apex ( Figs 20 , 29 ). 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. 20 ). Antennae 5-segmented, Ant.I–II smooth, with weak wrinkles, Ant.III–V with imbrications, Ant.I slightly projected at inner apex ( Figs 21 , 30 ). Antennal setae short, weakly capitate or blunt at apices; Ant.I–V each with 3, 3, 2, 1, 1+1 setae, respectively; PT with 2 apical setae. Primary rhinaria ciliated, secondary rhinaria absent. Rostrum reaching mid-coxae, with apex dark brown. URS thin and long wedge-shaped ( Figs. 22 , 31 ), with 2 pairs of primary setae and 4–5 accessory setae.

Thorax. Thoracic nota with irregular polygonal mosaic-like markings ( Fig. 32 ). Pro-, meso-, and metanotum each with 1 pair of strongly imbricated marginal processes, each process with a short capitate seta at apex, sometimes also with a short capitate seta near the middle ( Fig. 23 ); processes on pronotum small, conical or short cylindrical ( Figs 23 , 33 ); processes on meso- and metanotum long taper-shaped ( Figs 23 , 34 ). Thoracic dorsal setae sparse, very short, fine, and capitate. Legs normal, distal part of tibiae with sparse spinulose short stripes. Setae on hind tibia short, stiff, and pointed. First tarsal chaetotaxy: 3, 3, 3.

Abdomen. Abdominal tergites I–VI with irregular polygonal mosaic-like markings, those on marginal area small and sparse ( Fig. 34 ), tergites VII–VIII with irregular sculptures, abdominal venter with spinulose transverse stripes. Abdominal tergites I–IV each with 1 pair of long taper-shaped and strongly imbricated marginal processes, each process with a short capitate seta at apex ( Figs 23 , 34 ). Abdominal dorsal setae sparse, similar to those on thorax. Abdominal tergite VIII with 6–7 long, thick, blunt or weakly capitate setae. SIPH long cylindrical, broad at base, distal 1/5 slightly expanded and smooth, other parts with distinct imbrications, obliquely truncated at tip, without flange ( Figs 24 , 35 ). Cauda long tongue-shaped, slightly constricted near the middle, with spinulose imbrications ( Figs 25 , 36 ), with 4 setae. Anal plate semicircular, spinulose, with 14–16 setae ( Figs 26 , 37 ). Genital plate broad round, with dense spinulose transverse stripes, with 2–3 anterior setae and 6–9 setae along the posterior margin ( Figs 27 , 38 ).

Distribution. China (Sichuan).

Host plant. Unknown.

Biology. 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: marginal processes on thoracic nota and abdominal tergites present (in harvensis : absent); antennal tubercles short cylindrical, 1.50–1.70 times as long as median frontal tubercle (in harvensis : long finger-like, about 2.00 times); Ant.I slightly projected at inner apex (in harvensis : with distinct finger-like projections).

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 27. Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) musaicus Qiao sp. nov. Apterous viviparous female: 20. dorsal view of head; 21. antenna; 22. ultimate rostral segment; 23. marginal processes on thoracic nota and abdominal tergites; 24. siphunculus; 25. cauda; 26. anal plate; 27. genital plate. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.

FIGURES 28 – 38. Aspidophorodon (Aspidophorodon) musaicus Qiao sp. nov. Apterous viviparous female: 28. dorsal view of body; 29. dorsal view of head; 30. antenna; 31. ultimate rostral segment; 32. irregular polygonal mosaic-like markings on thoracic nota; 33. marginal process on pronotum; 34. marginal processes on meso- and metanotum and abdominal tergites I – IV and irregular polygonal mosaic-like markings on marginal area of abdominal dorsum; 35. siphunculus; 36. cauda; 37. anal plate; 38. genital plate. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.