Valid Names Results

Ceroplastes helichrysi Hall, 1931 (Coccidae: Ceroplastes)

Nomenclatural History

• Ceroplastes helichrysi Hall 1931: 295. Type data: ZIMBABWE: Bromley, on Helichrysum sp.. Syntypes, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Notes: Lectotype: (designated in Hodgson & Peronti, 2012): ZIMBABWE [Southern Rhodesia]: top label: Ceroplastes / helichrysi / Hall / Helychrysum / sp. / Bromley. Bottom label: WJHall 9/3/28 / TYPE / 14.iii.30 WJHall (lectotype top specimen of two).
• Gascardia helichrysi (Hall, 1931); De Lotto 1965: 181. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 2 | Genera: 2

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• HodgsoPe2012: pp.40 ( ) [Key to adult females of C. deceptrix-group]

Remarks

• Systematics: The main characteristics of this species are: (i) the more or less unsclerotised anal process; (ii) presence of several larger spinose setae in each stigmatic group; (iii) rather wide primary loculus in each loculate microduct; (iv) dissimilar claw digitules; (v) small denticle on each claw; (vi) large number of tubular ducts in cephalic region, (vii) absence of tubular ducts laterally on thorax, and (viii) presence of ventral tubular ducts laterally on abdomen. In having a relatively unsclerotised caudal process, C. helichrysi resembles C. brevicauda, but the latter differs in having: (i) reduced antennae and legs; (ii) no ventral tubular ducts anteriorly in the cephalic region, and (iii) loculate microducts of the complex type. (Hodgson & Peronti, 2012)
• Structure: Test of the adult female convex and pure white. There is a deep submarginal depression giving the marginal area the appearance of being rounded and thickened. The outlines of the plates are indicated by shallow depressions, and each plate carries a rather obscure median circular depression. Centre of the dome with a small elongate raised white boss. There are faint indications of radiating lines and concentric rings on the dome, and a few specimens exhibit a well-marked concentric depression midway between the central boss and the submarginal groove. The wax is firm but not hard. Denuded of its wax, the adult female is highly convex and uniformly rounded, with a faint submarginal depression that is frequently missing in older examples. Cephalic lobes [tubercles] represented, but not at all conspicuous except in the young individuals. Dorsal processes [tubercles] wanting but traces of lateral processes found on a few examples. Caudal process small, triangular, with the apex directed upwards at an angle of 45°. Stigmatic clefts shallow but well marked. Older examples uniformly sclerotised; the dermis is thin and brittle. Length of the test of adult female 5 mm; breadth 3.5 mm. (Hall, 1931)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of the adult female given by Hodgson (1969).

Illustrations

Citations