Valid Names Results

Opuntiaspis carinata (Cockerell, 1896) (Diaspididae: Opuntiaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Mytilaspis carinatus Cockerell 1896h: 21. Type data: CENTRAL AMERICA: on undetermined plant, by Craw. Syntypes, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name
• Mytilaspis nigra Cockerell 1899n: 32. Type data: MEXICO: Veracruz, Coatzocoalcos, on "laurel tree," 24/04/1898, by Townsend. Syntypes, female, junior synonym (discovered by Nakaha1973, 486).
• Lepidosaphes carinata (Cockerell, 1896); Fernald 1903b: 306. change of combination
• Lepidosaphes nigra (Cockerell, 1899); Fernald 1903b: 312. change of combination
• Mytilella carinata (Cockerell, 1896); Leonardi 1904: 21. change of combination
• Opuntiaspis carinata (Cockerell, 1896); Ferris 1937: 80. change of combination
• Opuntiaspis nigra (Cockerell, 1899); Ferris 1942: 4. change of combination

Common Names

• keeled mytilaspis Craw1896

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 8 | Genera: 14

Foes:

Families: 2 | Genera: 2

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Nakaha1973: pp.486 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Opuntiaspis]
• Balach1954e: pp.95 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Opuntiaspis]
• Ferris1942: pp.SIV-445:58 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Opuntiaspis]
• MacGil1921: pp.281, 292 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species] Key as: Lepidosaphes nigra and Mytilella

Remarks

• Systematics: Opuntiaspis carinata differs from O. philococcus chiefly in the presence of perivulvar pores, which are in 5 small groups, containing 2-6 pores. Smaller (1.5 mm long) and body form more slender than in O. philococcus, there are slight differences in arrangement of the dorsal ducts, which, however, are scarcely greater than might be expected to be due to normal variation (Ferris, 1937).
• Structure: Female scale 3.5 mm long, pitch-black, with a narrow white margin, very narrow, very convex in a transverse direction, with a dorsal keel. Exuviae elongate, half of first skin on second, first skin dull orange, second skin dull dark reddish brown. Adult female greatly elongated, yellow, turning green in caustic soda; circumgenital glands present (Cockerell, 1899n).
• Economic Importance: Economic importance of this species is unknown, but one old record is on "lime" so precautions should be taken to limit its spread (Hamon, 1978).
• General Remarks: Best description and illustration by Ferris (1937).

Illustrations

Citations