Valid Names Results

Morganella polyctena Takagi, 2003 (Diaspididae: Morganella)

Nomenclatural History

• Morganella polyctena Takagi 2003: 102. Type data: PHILIPPINES: Luzon, Bataan, Bagac (Monemar Beach), on Pterospermum diversifolium; collected August 1994.. Holotype, female, Type depository: Los Banos: Entomological Museum, Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines at Los Banos, College, Laguna, Luzon, Philippines; accepted valid name Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

Remarks

• Systematics: Very similar to Morganella iongispina, differing mainly in the following characters [characters on M longispina in brackets]: 1) dorsal surface of the pygidium thickly strewn with variously shaped sclerotized dots and lines over a broad central area [dorsal surface of the pygidium longitudinally striate except on a narrow central area, which is reticulate]; 2) anus elliptic or amygdaloid, as long as the median trulla or nearly so, separated from the bases ofthe median trullae by a space shorter than its length [anus sub circular to elliptic, about half as long as the median trulla, separated from the bases of the median trullae by a space longer than its longitudinal diameter]; 3) each median trulla with 2 notches subapically on the lateral side [each median trulla notched only once subapically on the lateral side]; 4) pectinae numbering 16-19 on each side of the pygidium, conspicuously fimbriate on both their mesal and lateral sides except several ones occurring just laterally to the median trulla, the lateralmost one or two being thickened [pectinae numbering 13 or 14 on each side of the pygidium, less conspicuously fimbriate especially on their mesal side, the lateralmost one or two being not especially thickened]; and 5) marginal setae ofabd IV and V and usually also of III extraordinarily developed on both surfaces, much surpassing pectinae in length and flagelliform (marginal setae of VI elongate, but not surpassing pectinae in length, tapering apically; those of VII nearly as long as the neighbouring pectinae, spiniform) [marginal setae of abd IV-VI (not III-V) extraordinarily long and flaggelliform]. The two species also differ in the length of the antennal setae: on M poyctena, each antennal tubercle bears a nearly straight or curved seta at most about 25 µm long (sometimes accompanied by a shorter one), whereas on M longispina, the antennal seta reaches about 40 µm and is often strongly curved. Furthermore, M polyctena was collected from the leaves of the host plant, whereas M longispina occurs on the twigs and branches of various plants, no record of its association with the leaves having been made in spite of its wide distribution. (Takagi, 2003)
• Biology: Females and males occurring on the lower surface of leaves, burrowing under the tomentum. Female tests hard, nearly round, highly convex dorsally, and black, with the posterior end produced and curved up to be exposed from the tomentum when fully formed. Male tests smaller and elongate, with the posterior end curved up, thus exposed (Takagi, 2003).
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of adult female by Takagi (2003, 2007).

Illustrations

Citations