Valid Names Results

Neopinnaspis harperi McKenzie, 1949 (Diaspididae: Neopinnaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Neopinnaspis harperi McKenzie 1949: 124-126. Type data: UNITED STATES: California, Santa Barbara County, Montecito, on Ceratonia siliqua, 12/04/1949, by R.W. Harper. Holotype, female, Type depository: Davis: The Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, California, USA; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Africaspis harperi (McKenzie, 1949); Ferris 1955b: 23. change of combination
• Mercetaspis harperi (McKenzie, 1949); Dowell, et al. 2016: 116. change of combination Notes: This appears to be a lapsus calami for Neopinnaspis harperi.

Common Names

• Harper scale McComb1986

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 33 | Genera: 59

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• MillerDa2005: pp.29-32 ( Adult (F) ) [Field Key to Economic Armored Scales]
• MillerDa2005: pp.20-21 ( Adult (F) ) [Armored Scales]
• Chou1982: pp.194 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to Chinese species of Neopinnaspis]

Remarks

• Systematics: Neopinnaspis harperi has some affinities for certain Pinnaspis and Lepidosaphes species, and for this reason it is suspected to be an introduced rather than a native species (McKenzie, 1956). In California, N. harperi is close to Lepidosaphes conchiformis and L. destefanii (Gill, 1997).
• Structure: Adult females 1-2 mm long, narrow, irregularly elongate, fairly flat, tan or bronze or reddish-brown terminal exuviae. Body pink or red (Gill, 1997).
• Biology: We have been unable to find an account of the biology of this species. According to McKenzie (1956), Harper scale primarily occurs on the bark of twigs and branches; in cases of heavy infestations, it may be found on the trunk, occasionally on petioles, and rarely on leaf surfaces. (Miller & Davidson, 2005).
• Economic Importance: McComb (1986) lists N. harperi as a pest of holly. Miller & Davidson (1990) also list this insect as a pest. Harper scale is reported as a pest of apple in the eastern part of the Former Soviet Union (Konstantinova 1976). In the United States it infests a wide range of host plants indicating the potential for economic importance. Miller and Davidson (1990) consider this species to be an occasional pest. (miller & Davidson, 2005).
• General Remarks: Detailed descriptions and illustrations by McKenzie (1949) and Gill (1997).

Illustrations

Citations