Valid Names Results

Albastaspis nivea (Maskell, 1895) (Diaspididae: Albastaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Mytilaspis nivea Maskell 1895b: 46. Type data: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales, Bankstown, Near Sydney, on Melaleuca nodosa, by W.W. Froggatt. Syntypes, female, Type depository: Auckland: New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Landcare Research, New Zealand; accepted valid name Notes: Type material also in USNM. Lectotype designated in Wei, et al., 2026. Australia, New South Wales, “Bankstown, near Sydney” (Maskell 1895), ex Melaleuca nodosa, coll. Froggatt. Handwritten slide label: “Mytilaspis / nivea / adult female / 1894 W.M.M.” Barcode label: NZAC 02054136 (ANIC). Paralectotypes, adult female, same data as lectotype, NZAC 02054135 (NZAC). Illustr.
• Lepidosaphes nivea (Maskell, 1895); Fernald 1903b: 312. change of combination
• Albastaspis nivea (Maskell, 1895); MacGillivray 1921: 290. change of combination
• Chionaspis nivea (Maskell, 1895); Lindinger 1932f: 203. change of combination
• Trichomytilus nivea (Maskell, 1895); Lindinger 1933a: 165. change of combination
• Albastaspis nivea (Maskell, 1895); Ferris 1941d: 11. revived combination (previously published)

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 2

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• WeiNoNo2026: pp.30-36 ( Adult (F) ) [species of Fioriniina in Australia]
• Cocker1899f: pp.14 ( Adult (F) ) [Australian species of Mytilaspis] Key as: Mytilaspis nivea

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is close to Mytilaspis casuarinae, but differs principally in the four conical lobes and in the stronger marginal spines (Maskell, 1895b). Laing (1929) states that Froggatt's report of A. nivea on Calycothrix (1915) may actually be Lepidosaphes subnivea.. Albastaspis nivea can be readily distinguished from other species of Albastaspis by the thorn-like antennae. (Wei, et al., 2026)
• Structure: Female cover elongated, usually straight, narrow, snowy-white. Pellicles terminal, yellow. Adult female brown. Adult male yellow. (Maskell, 1895b). Adult female not pupillarial. Scale cover “elongate, usually straight, narrow, snowy-white,” with “terminal, yellow” exuviae; masses of scale covers “forming a snowy heap on the twig” (Maskell 1895: 46). Slide-mounted adult female (n=8) 850–1180 μm in length, 480–640 μm in width, broadest at abdominal segments I and II. Body outline elongate oval, derm membranous except for pygidium, pygidium rounded apically. (Wei, Normark & Normark, 2026.
• Biology: Scales are usually so massed together that they form a snowy heap on the twig (Maskell, 1985b).
• General Remarks: Detailed redescription and illustration in Wei, Normark & Normark, 2026.

Illustrations

Citations