Valid Names Results

Testudovestis africana Hodgson, 2021 (Coccidae: Testudovestis)

Nomenclatural History

• Testudovestis africana Hodgson 2021: 71. Type data: KENYA: on orchid plant, 10/13/1985, by V. McDonald. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name Notes: Paratype ♀♀: Same data as holotype (deposited in USNM) Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

Remarks

• Systematics: The dorsum of Testudovestris is divided into polygonal plate-like areas and the dorsal setae are restricted to within the lines separating the polygonal areas, as on the dorsum of Eucalymnatus Cockerell (Hodgson, 1994); these genera also share multilocular disc-pores mostly with 7 loculi. However, otherwise the two genera differ significantly as follows (character-states of Eucalymnatus in brackets): (i) antennae much reduced to 3 segments (well-developed with 7 or 8 segments); (ii) only 2 rather clavate setae in each stigmatic cleft (3 rather pointed setae per cleft); (iii) multilocular disc-pores present on most abdominal segments and also laterad to all coxae (multilocular disc-pores restricted to abdominal segments VI and VII); (iv) legs much reduced, with tibia and tarsus fused (legs well developed, with tibia and tarsus separate, and with a tibio-tarsal articulatory sclerosis); (v) claw digitules dissimilar, but both narrow (claw digitules similar and both broad); (vi) marginal setae broad apically, almost fanshaped— which may be why, originally, the specimens were tentatively referred to Paralecanium (marginal setae long, narrow and finely pointed or slightly fimbriate apically), (vii) submarginal tubercles absent (present); (viii) anal plates surrounded by a strong anal cleft sclerotization (anal cleft sclerotization absent); (ix) each anal plate with a blunt, parallel-sided discal seta (discal setae absent, all setae finely setose), and (x) dorsum with 3 large median plates and 11 marginal plates (dorsum with 7 longitudinal bands of polygonal plates, median line with about 11 and marginal band about 20 or 21 plates on each side). (Hodgson, 2021)
• Structure: Body roundly oval, probably rather flat in life; stigmatic clefts present but quite shallow. Derm divided into plate-like areas, with 3 medially and 11 on each side. Anal cleft either apparently fused or strongly adpressed, about 1/4th total body length. Body 3.5-4.0 mm long, 2.75 mm wide. (Hodgson, 2021)
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration in Hodgson, 2021.

Illustrations

Citations