Valid Names Results

Delottococcus aberiae (De Lotto, 1961) (Pseudococcidae: Delottococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Allococcus aberiae De Lotto 1961: 211-212. Type data: KENYA: Nairobi, on Aberia caffra. Holotype, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name
• Delottococcus aberiae (De Lotto, 1961); Cox & Ben-Dov 1986: 488. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 26 | Genera: 33

Foes:

Families: 2 | Genera: 4

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 4

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• MillerGi2011: pp.638-639 ( ) [Key to species of Delottococcus]

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is most similar to Delottococcus elisabethae. There has been considerable confusion about the identity of this species because of extensive variation in the distribution and number of oral-collar tubular ducts and the presence of very small, obscure translucent pores on the hind femur. Oral-collar tubular ducts may be present or absent near cerarius 13 even within specimens from the same collection or on each side of one specimen. (Miller & Giliomee, 2011) Beltra, et al., (2012) stated that t was located close to V. rimariae on the phylogenetic tree, providing evidence for the existence of a southern African clade. in Beltra, et al. (2015) he determined that D. aberiae from Spain were closest to those found in Limpopo, South Africa.
• Structure: Delottococcus aberiae adult female has a wax covering that is uniformly grey, abdominal segmentation distinct, five or six pairs of caudal filaments become progressively longer posteriorly, with longest only slightly longer than antennae. Cottony ovisac longer than body of adult female, containing pale yellow eggs. All stages, including egg-laying females, present during winter on main root of Chrysanthemoides monilifera plants at Vermont, Hermanus, South Africa. (Miller & Giliomee, 2011)
• Biology: D. aberiae is able to encapsulate the eggs of three generalist parasitoids of mealybugs: Acerophagus angustifrons (Gahan), Anagyrus sp. near pseudoccoci (Girault), and Leptomastix algirica Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). They have also developed diverse defensive strategies that can hinder biological control and carry out evasive movements similar to those performed by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae). (Tena, et al., 2017)
• Economic Importance: In Valencia, Spain, D. aberiae causes severe direct effects such as distortions and size reduction in fruit which fosters a high depreciation of its commercial value. This mealybug also triggers indirect effects arising from the excretion of honeydew, mainly due to the growth of sooty mold fungi Capnodium citri Berk (Capnodiales: Capnodiaceae). In addition, it can give shelter to other secondary pests such as pyralid moths, mites, or scale insects. Due to all these negative effects, in those orchards with the presence of D. aberiae, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been partially disrupted by the urgency of the farmers to apply chemical treatments, which in most cases are not compatible with a system based on conservation biological control. (Pérez-Rodríguez, et al., 2017) D. aberiae is frequently attended by native ants in Spanish citrus. The native species L. grandis, has established a close association with this mealybug.. Lasius grandis attended D. aberiae throughout the year and in all the orchards where the mealybug was present. This suggests that this mutualistic association may contribute to the establishment and expansion of this pest in the Mediterranean Basin. (Plata, et al., 2023a)
• General Remarks: Good description and illustration of the adult female given by De Lotto (1961).

Illustrations

Citations