Valid Names Results

Chorizococcus watsonae Joshi, Pai & Deepthy, 2026 (Pseudococcidae: Chorizococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Chorizococcus watsonae Joshi, Pai & Deepthy 2026: 377. Type data: INDIA: Kerala, Wayanad, Cyperus rotundus L., 10/21/2020, S.G. Pai leg.. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Bengaluru (Bangalore): National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bangalore, Karnataka, India; accepted valid name Notes: Paratypes: INDIA: Kerala, Wayanad, Meenangadi, Cyperus rotundus L., 10/21/2020, S.G. Pai leg. (13 ♀♀, NBAIR) Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• JoshiChAm2026: pp.382 ( Adult (F) ) [Oriental species of Chorizococcus McKenzie]

Remarks

• Systematics: Chorizococcus watsonae is close to C. kandyensis (Green), with both species having: (i) only one pair of cerarii, situated on anal lobes; (ii) two sizes of ventral oral rim tubular ducts; (iii) oral rim tubular ducts present on both dorsum and venter; (iv) in lacking dorsal oral collar tubular ducts; and (v) in the distribution of oral collar tubular ducts on venter. However, C. watsonae differs as follows: (i) multilocular pores present on abdominal segments V‒VII; (ii) ventral oral collar tubular ducts present on abdominal segments VI‒VIII and beyond; (iii) antenna with seven segments; and (iv) circulus absent (Joshi et al., 2026).
• Structure: In life: Body elongate oval, some specimens almost parallel sided; ventral surface flat, but dorsal surface a little raised in median area. Body contents dark pinkish to purple-brown depending on age. Body covered with flocculent wax. Anal opening bracketed by a pair of dense, white wax curls and with a pair of short, white, divergent flattened filaments arising close to anal area. Posteriormost pair of abdominal wax filaments evident. Body of adult female rests on cushion formed by ovisac; head and thorax lie beneath ovisac wax covering, leaving only abdomen relatively exposed. Eggs dark pink.
  Slide-mounted specimens: Body of adult female elongate oval, membranous; 2.15‒3.27 mm long, 1.08‒1.85 mm wide. Eyes 20–27 μm in diameter, not associated with discoidal pores. Antennae each 7 segmented; measurements (in μm): total length about 300–327; apical segment (VII) 72–80 long and 23–25 wide, bearing 2 fleshy setae with rounded apices, 2 flat setae with pointed apices, 1 sharp pointed seta at apex, and 8 or 9 flagellate setae; segment VI with 1 fleshy seta with rounded apex and 2 or 3 flagellate setae; other antennal segments all with flagellate setae (Joshi et al., 2026).
• Biology: The infestation of mealybug was observed on the basal and terminal portions of the leaf blades of Cyperus rotundus. No attendant ants, parasitoids or predators were reported on this species during field surveys; however, at the site of infestation, some mealybugs were found on the ground beneath. These dead specimens were soft to touch and oozed blackish liquid when pressed with a brush. Slide mounts of these specimens contained fungal hyphae occupying the entire body (Joshi et al., 2026).
• General Remarks: Description, illustration, and color photos from Joshi et al. (2026).

Illustrations

Citations