Valid Names Results

Fusilaspis phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880) (Diaspididae: Fusilaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Mytilaspis phymatodidis Maskell 1880: 292-293. Type data: NEW ZEALAND: Wellington, on Phymatodes billardieri. Lectotype, female, by subsequent designation (DeitzTo1980,41). Type depository: Christchurch: Canterbury Museum, New Zealand; accepted valid name Notes: Lectotype is the smaller and younger of two adult females on an original slide labeled: "Mytilaspis/phymatodidis/females/from Phym. Billardieri/Feb. 4 1879 W.M.M." and "Lectotype/Mytilaspis/phymatodidis, 1880/desig. Deitz & Tocker/1979." Material also in NZAC and USNM (Deitz & Tocker, 1980).
• Chionaspis dubia Maskell 1882: 216-217. Type data: NEW ZEALAND: Coprosma sp., ?/05/1881, by W.M. Maskell. Lectotype, female, by subsequent designation (DeitzTo1980,35). Type depository: Christchurch: Canterbury Museum, New Zealand; junior synonym (discovered by Hender2011, 93-99). Notes: Lectotype on original slide bearing labels: "Chionaspis dubia/from Coprosma/Female/May 1881 W.M.M." and "Lectotype/Chionaspis/dubia/Maskell, 1882/desig. Deitz & Tocker 1979." Material also in BMNH, NZAC and USNM (Deitz & Tocker, 1980).
• Lepidosaphes phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880); Fernald 1903b: 313. change of combination
• Phenacaspis dubia (Maskell, 1882); Fernald 1903b: 237. change of combination
• Fusilaspis phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880); MacGillivray 1921: 289. change of combination
• Trichomytilus dubius (Maskell, 1882); Lindinger 1933a: 165. change of combination
• Trichomytilus phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880); Lindinger 1933a: 165. change of combination
• Pseudaulacaspis dubia (Maskell, 1882); Deitz & Tocker 1980: 35. change of combination
• Pseudaulacaspis phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880); Deitz & Tocker 1980: 41. change of combination
• Fusilaspis phymatodidis (Maskell, 1880); Henderson 2011: 92-99. revived combination (previously published) Notes: LECTOTYPE female, subsequent designation by Deitz & Tocker (1980: 35): NEW ZEALAND, the smaller and younger of 2 adult females on an original slide labelled "Mytilaspis phymatodidis, females, from Phym. Billardieri Feb.y 1879, W.M.M.". [1]:Barcode NZAC02008433.(NZAC). Chionaspis dubia Maskell. LECTOTYPE female, subsequent designation by Deitz & Tocker (1980: 36): NEW ZEALAND, on an original slide labelled "Chionaspis dubia, from Coprosma, Female, May 1881, W.M.M.",

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 16 | Genera: 23

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• MacGil1921: pp.289 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Fusilaspis] Key as: Fusilaspis phymatodidis
• Leonar1903: pp.31 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Mytilaspis] Key as: Mytilaspis phymatodidis

Remarks

• Systematics: Diagnostic features for the female are the recessed median lobes with dentate free margins, groups of gland tubercles near the anterior spiracles, perivulvar pores in distinctly separated groups, and free abdominal lobes weakly developed without groups of marginal gland spines. New Zealand species of Anzaspis, Pellucidaspis, and Pseudaulacaspis have more prominent, finely serrate median lobes. Poliaspis species also have dentate lobes and gland tubercles near the anterior spiracles but can be immediately separated by having 8 groups of perivulvar pores. F. phymatodidis is also easily distinguished by its host preference for ferns in New Zealand (Henderson, 2011) The reasons for reinstatement of the MacGillivray combination are (i) that this species is not congeneric with the type species of Pseudaulacaspis,namely Ps. pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti), and (ii) molecular data place it in a southern clade distinct from northern hemisphere species of Pseudaulacaspis (Andersen et al. 2010). It is restricted to ferns in New Zealand. It differs from F. phymatodidis as follows: (i) the perivulvar pores are in closely adjoining long groups, with the anterior and posterior lateral groups on one side coalesced; (ii) perispiracular pores absent by posterior spiracle; (iii) only 5 pairs of marginal macroducts (iv) gland spines on the margins of abdominal segments more numerous.
• Structure: Female scale cover pyriform, white to creamy white, with golden brown terminal exuvia; when on underside of fronds of silver fern (Cyathea dealbata) the scale covers are more silver-grey and blend with the colour of the substrate; female body bright yellow, eggs pale yellow. Male scale covers are similar but smaller, not carinated.Female scale flattish, pyriform, dirty white or brownish. Adult female greyish, elongate, segmented. Abdomen ending in 2 lobes with a median depression. There are several scaly processes on the terminal lobes and many spiny hairs on the sides of the body. 5 groups of spinnerets and many single ones scattered on corrugations of the body (Maskell, 1887a).Female scale white, flat, very thin, pyriform, exuviae small. Male scale white, elongate, irregularly oval, flat above, with two keels on under side, enclosing a longitudinal semicylindrical groove. Adult male reddish (Maskell, 1882).
• Biology: On underside of fronds of its fern host.
• Economic Importance: It is not recorded as an economic pest, although it was causing chlorosis and necrotic spotting to Dicksonia tree ferns. (Malumphy & Halstead, 2012)
• General Remarks: Detailed description of adult female, 1st-instar nymph and 2nd-instar male and female nymphs in Henderson, 2011.Detailed description and illustration by Maskell (1887a).Detailed description and illustration by Maskell (1887a) and Ferris (1955d).

Illustrations

Citations