Valid Names Results

Laurencella colombiana Foldi & Watson, 2001 (Monophlebidae: Laurencella)

Nomenclatural History

• Laurencella colombiana Foldi & Watson 2001: 369. Type data: COLOMBIA: Caldas, Villamaria, on avocado (Persea americana); collected 14.v.1999, by F. Posada.. Holotype, female, Type depository: Paris: Museum National d'Histoire naturelle, France; accepted valid name Illustr.

Common Names

• Cucaracha KondoWa2022b
• monoflébido gigante del aguacate KondoWa2022b

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• FoldiWi2013: pp.88-89 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species for adult females of Laurencella]
• HodgsoFo2006: pp.173-174 ( Adult (M) ) [Males of Monophlebidae]

Remarks

• Structure: The adult male, measuring 5.5-7.0 mm, is distinguished in possessing four pairs of caudal extension on posterior 4 abdominal segments, one extension on either side of each segment (Foldi & Watson, 2001). Adult female about 11.5 mm long and 7.5 mm wide, moderately convex, body contents mid- to dark brown but dorsum evenly coated in a powdery cream to white wax. Immature female initially with dorsum slightly to moderately convex, mid- to dark brown with cream ridges and wrinkles; with age, developing longitudinal rows of wax-coated prominences, these initially muted yellow but developing white wax curls just before moulting to adult. (Kondo & Watson in T. Kondo & G.W. Watson, 2022b)
• Biology: Infests avocado trees in Colombia at locations above 2000 m altitude. Develops one annual generation (Foldi & Watson, 2001).
• Economic Importance: A pest of avocado, Persea americana trees in Colombia, causing dieback of twigs, and significant reduction in productivity and fruit quality (Foldi & Watson, 2001). Laurencella colombiana feeds on phloem sap and produces copious sugary honeydew excretions that coat nearby plant surfaces, giving rise to sooty mold growths that block light and air from the leaves and impair photosynthesis. Heavy infestations prevent flower formation and cause dieback of young branches and terminal shoots, due to desiccation of the tissues. Trees, depleted of water and dry materials, are weakened. Productivity and the aesthetic quality and marketability of the fruit are reduced. (Kondo & Watson in T. Kondo & G.W. Watson, 2022b)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of adult female and adult male by Foldi & Watson (2001). Description and illustration of adult male by Hodgson & Foldi (2006).

Illustrations

Citations