Valid Names Results

Rhizoecus simplex (Hambleton, 1946) (Rhizoecidae: Rhizoecus)

Nomenclatural History

• Ripersiella simplex Hambleton 1946: 73. Type data: BRAZIL: Sao Paulo, on Oxalis martiana. Lectotype, female, by subsequent designation (Hamble1976,47). Type depository: Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Rhizoecus simplex (Hambleton, 1946); Hambleton 1973: 69. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 22 | Genera: 28

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• CaballKaRa2026: pp.117 ( Adult (F) ) [Rhizoecidae species recorded in Germany]
• KaydanKoKo2019: pp.3-4 ( Adult (F) ) [Neotropical Rhizoecus species]
• KozarKo2007: pp.132-137 ( Adult (F) ) [world]
• WilliaGr1992: pp.498 ( Adult (F) ) [Central and South America]
• Hamble1979: pp.148 ( Adult (F) ) [U.S.A., Florida]
• Hamble1976: pp.9 ( Adult (F) ) [World]
• Hamble1973: pp.63 ( Adult (F) ) [U.S.A., Florida]
• Hamble1946: pp.61 ( Adult (F) ) [World]

Remarks

• Systematics: Rh. simplex is similar to Rh. cacticans by having long capitate digitules, the presence of circulus, and a similar number and distribution of tritubular ducts. However, Rh. simplex differs from Rh. cacticans by having an anal ring with fewer than 20 cells in the external row and a diameter less than 50 μm, and the length of the labium is shorter than 60 μm. In contrast, Rh. cacticans has an anal ring with more than 25 cells in the external row and a diameter larger than 50 μm; the length of the labium is also larger than 60 μm. The molecular analysis shows a single cluster for the morphologically identified specimens, and a specimen lost during the molecular process (ZSM250). That sample has only Rh. simplex specimens, and we assume the cluster is composed of a single species. The genetic distance between Rh. simplex specimens and the nearest species, Rh. cacticans, is 5.5% for ZSM491, 5.9% for ZSM167 and 7.9% for ZSM479. (Caballero, et al., 2026)
• Structure: Slide-mounted adult female body oval-elongated, 1.2 ± 0.1 (0.97–1.3) [1.2] mm long and 0.5 ± 0.1 (0.4–0.6) [0.5] mm wide, Anal lobes not developed, without sclerotization; dorsal surface with one flagellate seta on each lobe. (Caballero, et al., 2026)
• Biology: Living on the roots of the host plant.
• General Remarks: Good description and illustration of the adult female given by Hambleton (1946, 1976), Kozarzhevskaya (1992) and by Williams & Granara de Willink (1992). Detailed redescription, photographs and illustrations in Caballero, et al., 2026

Illustrations

Citations