Valid Names Results

Cerococcus quercus Comstock, 1882 (Cerococcidae: Cerococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Cerococcus quercus Comstock 1882: 213. Type data: UNITED STATES: Arizona, on Quercus oblongifolia, 24/03/1881. Lectotype, female, by subsequent designation (LambdiKo1977a,194). Type depository: Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name Illustr.

Common Names

• oak cerococcus Essig1915a
• oak wax scale Essig1929

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• HodgsoWi2016: pp.151-152 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Cerococcus]
• HamonKo1979: pp.14 ( First instar ) [Cerococcus first instars]
• LambdiKo1977a: pp.41 ( Adult (F) ) [Species of Cerococcus]
• KosztaVe1966: pp.376 ( ) [Key to Cerococcus species]
• Ferris1955a: pp.31 ( Adult (F) ) [North American species of Cerococcus]

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is morphologically different from all other Cerococcus species as it is the only North American species without acorn-shaped spiracular setae (Hamon & Kosztarab, 1979).
• Structure: Female scales are enclosed in a smooth or rough mass of rich yellow wax. The masses are somewhat globular in shape and many are flattened (Essig, 1915a). Patterson (1901) states that in the laboratory, the larvae emerge in February and continued to do so through May. They were inactive once food was available to them. The adult female of C. quercus is characterised by the following combination of characters: (i) 8-shaped pores on dorsum randomly distributed, not in a lattice-like pattern; (ii) 8-shaped pores on dorsum of two sizes, both quite small; (iii) larger pores restricted to near stigmatic pore bands and cribriform plates; smaller pores throughout rest of dorsum; (iv) cribriform plates subcircular, present in submedial groups of 2–5 on each side of abdominal segment IV; (v) tubular ducts of two sizes, broader ducts restricted to posterior abdominal segments; narrower ducts frequent elsewhere; (vi) multilocular disc-pores in broad bands across almost all abdominal segments and metathorax; (vii) stigmatic pore bands bifurcated; (viii) stigmatic pore bands with abundant spiracular disc-pores, and (ix) leg stubs absent. (Hodgson & Williams, 2016)
• Biology: Species overwinters in egg stage and was observed hatching in mid March (Riley, 1894). Several females are found in clusters on the host allowing the tests to fuse together, leaving the twig completely covered. There is a tendency for them to leave a slender strip of the host exposed to the sun (Lambdin & Kosztarab, 1977a).
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration by Lambdin & Kosztarab (1977a). Hamon & Kosztarab (1979) provide a detailed description and illustration of the first instar. Miller & Kosztarab (1979) state that this species was gathered and chewed like gum by native americans in the United States.

Illustrations

Citations