Valid Names Results

Niveaspis vulcania Ferris, 1941 (Diaspididae: Niveaspis)

Niveaspis vulcania Ferris 1941d: SIII-308. Type data: PANAMA: Chiriqui, near crater of Volcan de Chiriqui, on Vaccinium sp., 1938, by G.F. Ferris. Syntypes, female, Type depository: Davis: The Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, California, USA; accepted valid name Illustr.

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Countries: 1

Systematics: Niveaspis vulcania is in general quite similar to N. townsendiana, but is apparently distinct. It is nearly twice as large, the cluster of small ducts flanking each side of the anal opening is much smaller, there are seven, instead of six, marginal macroducts from the 5th to 8th segments and the lobing of the prepygidial abdominal segments seems to be different. It is possible that extensive collection may show that the two are merely variants of a single species, but on the basis of present information separation seems justified (Ferris, 1941d).
Structure: Female scale similar to others of this genus, but thicker and lacking the silvery sheen. Slide-mounted adult female about 2.3 mm long. No evidence of sclerotization in mature specimens. Lateral margins of the 1st to 3rd abdominal segments are produced into small lobes, which, because of the membranous nature of the derm are sometimes obscured in the preparation of specimens. Pygidial lobes all quite small, 1st lobule of the 2nd lobe resembling the median lobes in shape, the 1st lobule of the 3rd lobe enlarged and with minutely serrate margin (Ferris, 1941d).
Biology: Niveaspis vulcania was collected at an altitude of about 10,000 feet near the crater of the Volcan de Chiriqui (Ferris, 1941d).
General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration by Ferris (1941d).