Valid Names Results

Hulaspis formicarum (Ben-Dov, 1978) (Diaspididae: Hulaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Andaspis formicarum Ben-Dov 1978: 316-319. Type data: SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Province, East London, on Ficus capensis, ?/09/1976, by G.J. Pettey. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Pretoria: South African National Collection of Insects, South Africa; accepted valid name Notes: Two paratypes in BMNH, USNM, MNHN, UCDC. Illustr.
• Hulaspis formicarum (Ben-Dov, 1978); Normark, et al. 2019: 58. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• SchneiGiDo2013: pp.816-817 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to the species of ant-associated armoured scale insects (adapted from Ben-Dov, 2010)] Key as: Andaspis formicarum
• BenDov2010: pp.56 ( Adult (F) ) [Identification key for armoured scale insects recorded in association with Melissotarsus ants] Key as: Andaspis formicarum

Remarks

• Systematics: Hulaspis formicarum resembles H. bulba in the presence of the bulbous sclerosis at the pygidial margin. The species differ in the shape of the median lobes which are notched in H. formicarum, whereas in H. bulba the margin of the lobes is even or slightly serrated; and in the antennal tubercle which bears 4-6 hairs in H. formicarum as compared to 2-3in H. bulba (Ben-Dov, 1978). Normark, et al. (2019) transfedrre this species from Andaspis to Hulaspis stating that it "resembles the African genus Hulaspis Hall, having forked gland spines, each L1 with a pair of parallel basal scleroses resembling paraphyses, and a rounded sclerosis present at base of L2."
• Structure: Adult females oval, slightly tapering at the pygidial apex. Pygidium with 2 pairs of lobes (Ben-Dov, 1978).
• Biology: This species was collected amongst Melissotarsus ants. None of the insects had any scale covering (Ben-Dov, 1978).
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration by Ben-Dov (1978).

Illustrations

Citations