Valid Names Results

Ripersiella colombiensis (Hambleton, 1946) (Rhizoecidae: Ripersiella)

Nomenclatural History

• Neorhizoecus colombiensis Hambleton 1946: 43. Type data: COLOMBIA: La Esperanza, host not given. Holotype, female, Type depository: Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name
• Rhizoecus colombiensis (Hambleton, 1946); Hambleton 1977a: 372. change of combination
• Ripersiella colombiensis (Hambleton, 1946); Kozár & Konczné Benedicty 2003: 236. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• SchneiLa2022: pp.25-26 ( Adult (F) ) [Neotropical Ripersiella lacking bitubular cerores]
• SzitaKoKo2020: pp.579 ( Adult (F) ) [Neotropical Ripersiella]
• KozarKo2007: pp.386-390 ( Adult (F) ) [Ripersiella species of the world]
• KozarKo2004: pp.325-328 ( Adult (F) ) [Ripersiella species of the world]
• WilliaGr1992: pp.496 ( Adult (F) ) [Central and South America]
• Hamble1946: pp.41 ( Adult (F) ) [World]

Remarks

• Systematics: Kozár & Konczné Benedicty (2003) transferred this species to Ripersiella, while indicating some reservation, by adding ?, about this action.
• Structure: Mounted on microscope slide, body broadly oval and membranous, 1.09 mm long, widest at metathorax and abdominal segments I–II, 0.91 mm wide. Abdomen rounded and gently tapering toward posterior apex; abdominal segment VIII approximately 270 μm wide at base. Anal lobes poorly developed with several flagellate setae on dorsum and venter. Trilocular pores scarcely distributed among body setae; multilocular disc pores absent; bitubular cerores absent; oral collar tubular ducts absent. Microtrichia present on abdominal segments and thorax. Eyes absent. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2022)
• Biology: Found in association with the ant, Acropyga espedana Snelling, in USA, Arizona (Williams & LaPolla, 2004).
  Smith, C,R. et al. (2007) recorded reproductive females of Acropyga espedana participating in mating flights all carried mealybugs, Rhizoecus colombiensis between their mandibles. On 26-July, 2005 a mating aggregation of {Acropyga epedana} Snelling (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was observed in the Chiricahua Mountains in south-eastern Arizona, USA. This is the first record of a mating flight of {A. epedana}, the only nearctic member of this pantropical genus. Mating behavior was observed, newly mated queens were collected, and a complete colony was excavated. New information is reported on the natural history and mating behavior of the species. The identity of a mealybug mutualist, {Rhizoecus colombiensis} (Homoptera: Rhizoecinae) is confirmed. Reproductive females participating in flights all carried mealybugs between their mandibles, indicating a vertical transfer of mealybugs with their ant hosts. No captured foundresses survived long in captivity, most likely due to the death of their mealybugs. The colony excavated had a single queen, though polygyny is common in the genus. Nearly all workers within the nest were heavily parasitized by mites, although males or gynes were not parasitized. These natural history observations are discussed with regard to this poorly understood mutualistic relationship between Acropyga ants and their mealybug partners.
• General Remarks: Description and distribution of adult female by Hambleton (1946, 1976), Williams & Granara de Willink (1992) and by Kozár & Konczné Benedicty (2007). Detailed redescription andillustration in Schneider & LaPolla, 2022

Illustrations

Citations