Valid Names Results

Acanthococcus melnikensis (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008) (Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Eriococcus melnikensis Hodgson & Trencheva 2008. Type data: BULGARIA: Pirin Mountains, Melnik, on Quercus pubescens, 04/10/2008, by K. Trencheva. Holotype, female, male, and first instar, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Notes: Synonomy with A. aceris by Gavrilov, 2010.
• Acanthococcus melnikensis (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008); Kozár 2009: 93. change of combination
• Acanthococcus aceris; Gavrilov 2010: 38-39. incorrect synonymy (discovered by KozarKaKo2013, 134-139).
• Acanthococcus melnikensis (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008); Kozár, Kaydan, Konczné Benedicty & Szita 2013: 134. revived combination (previously published)

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 3 | Genera: 3

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• KozarKaKo2013: pp.75-77 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Acanthococcus]
• HodgsoTr2008: pp.36-37 ( Adult (F) ) [Key for separation of adult female Eriococcida on Quercus sp. in western Palaearctic] Key as: Eriococcus melknikensis

Remarks

• Systematics: The first instar nymph of A. melnikensis is easily separable from that of A. aceris because the dorsal spinose setae forming the double mid-line are of two sizes, those on abdominal segments II-V being small to minute; and all spines are truncate rather than sharply pointed. Those of E. aceris are sharply pointed and subequal in size. In addition, the 1st instar nymph of A. aceris lacks spinose seta submedially on the head, whereas one is present on each side of A. melnikensis. (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008) Gavrilov, 2010, stated that since it is not known what the differences between larvae from different localities, different host plants, etc are likely to be significant, that based on a comparison of adults of A. melnikensis and adults of A. aceris in a collection in St. Petersburg from different locations, these two species appeared to be identical and he considered A. melnikensis a new junior synomym of A. aceris. However, Spodek, et al., 2014, compared specimens of A. melnikensis from Israel and A. melnikensis from Greece and Hungary and concluded that they were different species.
• Structure: Adult female broadly oval, largest specimens 3.75 mm wide. Dorsumstrongly nodulose; with spinose setae of two sizes; macrotubular ducts of one size frequent; microtubular ducts frequent. Anal lobes protruding, about twice as long as wide, apically rounded, moderately sclerotized with inner margins conspicuously nodulose. median (dorsal) plate triangular, lightly sclerotised, strongly nodulose. Venter with mainly flagellate setae; macrotubular ducts of 3 sizes, smallest medially; quinquelocular pores freuent; cruciform pores in a wide submarginal band. microtubular ducts absent. Antennae 6 or 7 segmented. Frontal lobes present Legs normal and well developed, coxa without translucent pores. Labium 3 segmented. anal ring with 8 setae. (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008) First instar nymph oval in outline, rather more pointed posteriorly 410-450 µm long, dorsum 165-175 µm wide (venter wider); anal lobes short but with 3 pairs of truncate spinose setae dorsally in addition to long flagellate apical seta; median plate not detected. Antennae 6 segmented. Dorsal microtubular ducts present, each outer orifice with two large wing-like extensions; quinquelocular pores present ventrally on head, thorax and abdomen; cruciform pores present submarginally on thorax; marginal and dorsal setae mostly spinose and truncate, each with a straight sides converging to a shart point; submedial setae on abdomen all very short with more or less parallel sides; dorsal spinose setae in 4 longitudinal lines; claw with a well-developed denticle. (Hodgson & Trencheva,2008)Adult female: young, small, mounted material in alcohol pale pink to reddish, long and narrow, pointed at both ends; about 1.25-1.8 mm long; venter slightly wider than dorsum; dorsum 475-700 µm wide, total width of mounted speciments about 575-800 µm; older speciments 1.75-3.0 mm long; dorsum 1.35-1.70 mm wide, greatest width of mounted specimens 1.75-1.93 mm. Anal lobes sclerotised comparatively large; median plate present, triangular to rather quadrate. Dorsum covered in truncate spinose setae; those along margin slightly larger. Dorsum also with numerous macrotubular ducts (of one size) and microtubular ducts (each with a divided dermal orifice); venter with macrotubular ducts similar to those on dorsum, restricted to near margin; also with small macrotubular ducts present ventrally on abdomen and metathorax. Quinquelocular pores abundant on abdomen, less frequent more anteriorly; cruciform pores present submarginally, mainly in groups on anterior abdominal segments and thorax. Legs comparatively well developed; metacoxae without pores but with spircules on anterior surfaces; claws with a strong dentible. Antennae 7 segmented; with frontal lobes. Adult male: small, total body length about 1.18-1.32 mm; antennae quite short, about 1\2 total-body length, all segments with fleshy setae and apical 3-5 segments with long or capitate setae; body with few setae, all hair-like, fleshy setae apparently absent from derm; length of fleshy setae on antennae about half width of antennal segments; fleshy setae similar to those on antennae. Wings 4/5th total body length and about 0.43 as wide as long. Head approximately round to roundly oval; length about 190-200 µm, width across genae aobut 220-230 µm. Median crest not demarcated and not reticulated, but with a long dorsal mid-cranial ridge extending posteriorly to about level with anterior margin of dorsal simple eyes. Antennae 10 segmented and filiform. Pronotal ridge well-developed and touching dorsally; pronotal sclerite represented by a small area dorsolaterally, without lateral pronotal setae. Medial pronotal setae absent; post-tergite possibly present, small without post-tergital and antero-spiracular dorsal setae or pores. Prosternum apparently unsclerotised, without a median ridge but transverse ridge fairly well developed; without prosternal setae or pores. Anteprosternal absent. Mesothorax prescutum probably oval sclerotised but not reticulated with 2 or 3 pairs of prescutal setae. Metathorax with 3 hair-like setae medially and 1-2 hairlike setae laterally on each side. Wings hyaline. Posterior legs longest. Fleshy setae present on all segments similar to those on antenna. Abdomen segments I-VII; tergites and sternites unsclerotised and without obvious oval membranous areas in inter-segmental membranes. Penal sheath divided into two sections; a broad anterior part and a short, triangular posterior section. anterior part with anal opening dorsally. the most striking feature of this made is the copulatory apparatus, which is more complex than on any other male know wot the authors and appeas to be highly visious. Second-instar female: Small, oval but more pointed posteriorly; about 0.87-1.05 mm long; venter clearly wider than dorsum; dorsum 685-525 µm wide; total width of mounted specimens about 500-675 µm. anal lobes sclerotised, comparatively large; quadrate mediuan plate present. dorsum with truncate spinose setae; those along margin slightly larger, those submedially on abdominal segments V-VII (sometimes III and IV also) smaller. Dorsum also with numberous microtubular ducts (each dermal orifice with two large wing-like extensions); macrotubular ducts absent from both surfaces. Quinquelocular pores absent from dorsum buth frequent on venter; cruciform pores present submarginally in groups on ventral anterior abdominal segments and thorax. Legs comparatively well developed; claws with a strong dentible. antennae 6 segmented, with well developed frontal lobes. Second-instar male: Small, oval but more pointed posteriorly; about 0.67-0.98 mm long; venter clearlyl wider than dorsum; dorsum 305-350 µm wide, total width or mounted speciment\s about 355-415 µm. anal lobes sclerotised, comparatively large; rectangular median plate present. dorsum with truncate spinose setae; those along margin slightly larger, those submedially on abdominal segments V-VII somewhat smaller (sometimes also on segments II-IV). Dorsum also with numberous microtubular ducts, each dermal orifice with two large wing-like extensions; macrotubular ducts present throughout dorsum and marginally on venter; quinquelocular pores absent from dorsum but frequent on venter. Cruciform pores present submarginally in groups on anterior abdominal segments and thorax. legs comparatively well developed; coxae without pores; claws with a strong dentible. Antennae 7 segmented, with well-developed frontal lobes. (Hodgson & Trencheva, 2008)
• Biology: Females of A. melnikensis produce a white felt-sac that encloses the body in preparation for oviposition. (Spodek, et al., 2014)
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustrations of male, female and nymphs in Hodgson & Trencheva (2008).

Illustrations

Citations