Valid Names Results

Acanthomytilus intermittens (Hall, 1924) (Diaspididae: Acanthomytilus)

Nomenclatural History

• Lepidosaphes intermittens Hall 1924: 7. Type data: EGYPT: Upper Egypt, Nag' Hamadi, on Imperata cylindrica and Wadi Digla, near Cairo, on Pennisetum dichotomum. Syntypes, female, Type depository: Cairo: Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt; London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Mytilococcus intermittens (Hall, 1924); Lindinger 1936: 159. change of combination
• Mytilococcus sanduri Bodenheimer 1943: 7. Type data: IRAQ: on Andropogon sp.. Syntypes, female, Type depository: Bet Dagan: Department of Entomology, The Volcani Center, Israel; junior synonym (discovered by Balach1954e, 105). Illustr.
• Acanthomytilus intermittens (Hall, 1924); Borchsenius 1947a: 344. change of combination
• Mohelnaspis sanduri (Bodenheimer, 1943); Danzig & Pellizzari 1998: 173. change of combination Notes: Danzig & Pellizzari (1998) consider the valid combination of this species to be Acanthomytilus intermittens, but they list the combination Mohelnaspis sanduri. Bodenheimer did not actually give this combination and so it was placed in print for the first time by Danzig & Pellizzari (1998).

Common Names

• African fodder cane scale AbdRabEv2021

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 9

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• MoghadWa2021: pp.34 ( Adult (F) ) [Acanthomytilus in Iran]
• EzzatAf1966: pp.18 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to adult females of Acanthomytilus]
• Ezzat1958: pp.246 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to adult female Lepidosaphes] Key as: Lepidosaphes intermittens
• Balach1954e: pp.105 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to Palearctic Acanthomytilus]

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is closely allied to Acanthomytilus sacchari (Hall), but is smaller with the spiniform squamae relatively larger and the interval between the median lobes relatively greater. The circumgenital glands are consistently very much fewer than in A. sacchari (Hall, 1924).
• Structure: Scale of adult female elongate, mussel shell shaped broadening gradually posteriorly, moderately convex and straw colored. Exuviae straw colored with the length of the second exuviae about one third that of the entire scale. Secretionary covering thin and semi-transparent. Ventral scale thin and easily ruptured along the median line. Male scale similar in color to the female scale, but much smaller and broadening very slightly behind the exuviae. Adult female elongate, segmentation distinct, antennae reduced to minute tubercles carrying two stout bristles and a hair. Anterior spiracles with 0-3 parastigmatic glands, usual number 2. Free abdominal segments with tubular spinnerets in the marginal area, the posterior abdominal segments carry in addition a few bulbous spine like structures bearing minute glands. Pygidium broadly rounded. Circumgenital glands in 5 median groups 1-6, anterior lateral 7-13, posterior laterals 6-9. Average of 14 examples median 4, anterior laterals 9, posterior laterals 8. Median lobes small, rounded and widely set apart. Second lobes smaller, duplex, with the outer lobule much smaller. Other lobes wanting. 4 large marginal pores on either side of the median lobes, with the exception of the median pair, these are set in tooth like projections which become more marked towards the base of the pygidium where there is a conspicuous projection. Dorsal tubular spinnerets comparatively few, large and arranged approximately in 3 broken arches. Spiniform plates long and conspicuous, 2 between the median lobes, 2 between the median and second lobes, and two just lateral of the second lobes. Larval antennae 6 jointed. Terminal joint much the longest, other joints subequal, each being slightly less than half as long as the terminal joint. Pygidium with 1 pair of lobes well set apart and of similar shape to those of the adult female. Second stage female resembling the adult, but with fewer dorsal pores (Hall, 1924).
• Economic Importance: Miller & Davidson (1990) list this insect as a pest.
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration by Hall (1924).

Illustrations

Citations