Valid Names Results

Opuntiaspis Cockerell, 1898 (Diaspididae)

Mytilaspis (Opuntiaspis) Cockerell 1898j: 439. Type species: Mytilaspis philococcus Cockerell by monotypy . accepted valid name
Mytilella Leonardi 1904: 4, 20. Type species: Mytilaspis carinata Cockerell by monotypy . junior synonym (discovered by Ferris1936a: 25)
Opuntiaspis Cockerell, 1898; Lindinger 1908b: 97. . change in status (level)
Mytiella Hoke 1921: 341;. . misspelling of genus name

Systematics: Subfamily DIASPIDINAE Tribe LEPIDOSAPHIDINI (Normark, et al., 2019) The two genera Opuntiaspis and Mytilella have in the past been separated because of the presence of perivulvar pores in the latter and their absence in the former. Such a division entirely conceals the fact of the very close relationship of the included species and is unsupportable (Ferris, 1937). Normark, et al., 2019 determined that Opuntiaspis is a monophyletic genus.
Structure: Diaspididae with "two-barred" ducts, which are arranged in definite segmental rows on all abdominal segments down to and including the 7th; the pygidial margin with the usual Diaspidine pattern of large ducts which are in part arranged in pairs. Median pygidial lobes widely separated, with a pair of gland spines between; 2nd lobes well developed, deeply bilobed; 3rd lobes but slightly indicated. Body elongate, more or less parallel-sided, the entire thoracic region and the abdominal segments to and including the 3rd, heavily sclerotic at maturity, the prosoma separated by a sharply defined break from the postsoma. Leg vestiges present. Anal opening near the anterior margin of the pygidium. Perivulvar pores present in 5 small groups or lacking. Gland spines present along the pygidium. Scale of the female elongate, usually showing a median ridge, the exuvia terminal, color gray or brown; of the male similar in form and texture (Ferris, 1937).
General Remarks: Detailed description by Ferris (1937).

Balach1954e: pp.26 ( Adult (F) ) [Tableau de détermination des genres de Lepidosaphedina de la région paléarctique]
Ferris1942: pp.44 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to genera in the tribe Diaspidini]
MacGil1921: pp.275 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to genera of Lepidosaphini] Key as: Mytilella