Valid Names Results

Acanthococcus ironsidei (Williams, 1973) (Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Eriococcus ironsidei Williams 1973: 83. Type data: AUSTRALIA: Queensland, Nambour, on Macadamia sp., 10/07/1969, by D.A. Ironside. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Brisbane: Queensland Museum, Queensland, Australia; accepted valid name Notes: Paratypes also in the ANIC, BMNH, USNM Illustr.
• Acanthococcus ironsidei (Williams, 1973); Miller & Gimpel 1996: 601. change of combination
• Acanthococcus ioronsidei (Williams, 1973); Pulakkatu-thodi, et al. 2022: 1. misspelling of species epithet

Common Names

• macadamia felted coccid IronsiSwCo1978

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Foes:

Families: 3 | Genera: 9

Geographic Distribution

Keys

Remarks

• Systematics: Slide-mounted adult female with: enlarged setae short, cone-shaped, with broad base, apices rounded, all of approximately same size, without medial and mediolateral setae on posterior 4 or 5 abdominal segments, forming 3 longitudinal lines on each side of body; anal lobes with 3 hair-like dorsal setae, medial margins crenulate; microtubular ducts elongate, without sclerotized area (Williams, 1973).
• Structure: Sac of adult female is dirty white or pale yellow. Male puparium is white (Williams, 1973).
• Biology: Insects are especially concentrated on the main veins of the host leaves (Williams, 1973).
• Economic Importance: A. ironsidei is a severe pest of macadamias in Hawaii but occurs at low densities for long periods of time. Sporadic outbreaks, however, have a devastating impact on the trees. A. ironsidei prefers basal tree portions (tree trunks, branches and foliage). Smaller trees on the other hand are often infested right to the uppermost parts of the canopy. (Schoeman & Millar, 2018) Preliminary observations of macadamia orchards in Hawaii suggested that tree canopy density appears to play an important role in the colonization and subsequent abundance of A. ironsidei. Combining techniques of canopy thinning with the provision of nectar and pollen plant sources for beneficial insects in the understory may result in improved A. ironsidei suppression. (Gutierrez-Coarite, et al., 2018)
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration by Williams (1973).

Illustrations

Citations