Valid Names Results

Callococcus leptospermi (Maskell, 1894) (Eriococcidae: Callococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Sphaerococcus leptospermi Maskell 1894b: 92-94. Type data: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales, Sydney, on Leptospermum lavigatum sp., by Froggatt.. Holotype, female, Type depository: Auckland: New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Landcare Research, New Zealand; London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Notes: While Maskell described the female, male and larvae of Sphaerococcus leptospermi in 1894b, he failed to note the type locatily until the following year, where he stated that specimens were sent to him by Froggatt and that they were from Leptospermum laevigatum from Sydney (p.68, in proceedings read in 1894). (Maskell, 1895a)
• Callococcus leptospermi (Maskell, 1894); Morrison 1927: 13. change of combination Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Hodgso2020: pp.73 ( Adult (M) ) [some “Gondwanan” Eriococcidae]

Remarks

• Systematics: In having a very long abdomen, the adult males of C. leptospermi are similar to those of Cystococcus and Tanyscelis, but otherwise the adult males in the latter two genera are very different. (Hodgson, 2020)
• Structure: This species induces the formation of woody galls on stems of Leptospermum laevigatum in Australia (South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria). These galls vary in size, 8-25 mm long, 6-12 mm thick. In young specimens, the gall is usually closed and firm all r\around, but when old or parasitixed, there is a longitucinal slit on one side. (Maskell, 1894b; Coles et al. 1988). The adult female fills the gall, and is of a dark greenish-grey colour, which becomes dark-brown and almost black with age. The antennae are obsolete, but appear to be represented by very minute tubercles. The feet are entirely absent. (Maskell, 1984b) Larva are reddish-brown and elliptical. The adult male is deep-red in colour, then wings slightly iridescent. The abcomen is excessively elongated, the segments very long, narrow and tapering. (Maskell, 1894b)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of nymphs, adult female and adult male by Maskell (1894b) and by Coles et al. (1988).

Illustrations

Citations