Valid Names Results

Acropygorthezia williamsi LaPolla & Miller, 2008 (Ortheziidae: Acropygorthezia)

Nomenclatural History

• Acropygorthezia williamsi LaPolla & Miller 2008: 58-68. Type data: AUSTRALIA: Queensland, Bulimba Creek, Carindale, Brisbane, in nest of Acropopyga myops, 8/2006, by C. Burwell. Holotype, female, male, and first instar, by monotypy and original designation Type depository: Brisbane: Queensland Museum, Queensland, Australia; accepted valid name Notes: the type locality is a small rectangular remnant of riparian vegetation and open woodland, bordered by housing and roads. The site has been unburnt for several years and has a thick understory of rank grasses and introducted lantana interspersed with bare areas.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• LaPollBuBr2008: pp.57 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to Australian Ortheziidae]

Remarks

• Systematics: Acropygorthezia williamsi is an unusual ortheziid since the adult female lacks an ovisac and all instars lack wax plates, has an anal opening that is without pores and setae, and has only 2 sensoria on each surface of the trochanter. A. williamsi can be recognized as an ortheziid because it has quadrilocular pores that protrude from the derm, abdominal spiracles, dome-shaped setae, and numberous spines. Several morphological attributes appear to be adaptations for its close association with A. myops, including the lack of wax; an anal ring that is located dorsally in the middle of the abdomen; metasternal and mesosternal apophyses that are simple and large; claws that are unusually long, and spines that are remarkably abundant on both body surfaces.
• Structure: Specimens egg or bean-shaped, white; without wax; legs and mouthparts yellowish brown; antennae short and stub like; anal ring darker than legs, yellowish brown, located dorsally near center of abdomen; vulva large; located near posterovental end of abdomen, some specimens with vulva stetching laterally acoss body; dosal and vental sementation often visible.
  Mounted adult female 0.99 mm long and 0.76 mm wide. Antennae 2-segmented, apical segment with enlarged setae, 2 filamentous setae, and 1 basiconic sensillum; basal segment without setae. Legs elongate with rows of conspicuous setae, some of setae on outer margin of trochanter+femur and tibia+tarsus apically capitate.
  Characteristics of the first instar of this species that are atypical of other scale insects are: the presence of numerous spines, reduced antennae, an anal ring that is located in the middle of dorsum that lacks setae and pores, and fused tibia and tarsus.
  The genital structure of the adult male is quite unusual in that it is strictly ventral and is hinged near the base of the abdomen so that it does not protrude posteriorly. Another characteristic that is atypical of male scales is that the anal ring appears to be well developed and the anus may be functional.
• Biology: Nest tunnels and galleries of Acropyga were found in the top 10-15 cm. of sandy-loam soil beneath a thick layer of leaf litter. Ortheziids were observed feeding on roots within the ant tunnels. Ortheziids left exposed on roots were forcibly detached and removed by the Acropyga workers. Loose ortheziids that were encountered by the worker ants also were picked up quickly and carried off. Distinct chambers were encountered containing ant pupae and larva together with ortheziids of various instars. Several ortheziids were observed with a drip of honeydew at the anal ring and on one occasion an Acropyga worker was seen to ingest a droplet.
• General Remarks: Detailed descriptions and illustrations of first- and second-instar nymphs, third-instar and adult female, adult, pupal and prepupal male in LaPolla et al. (2008)

Illustrations

Citations