Valid Names Results

Williamsrhizoecus hisopo Schneider & LaPolla, 2026 (Rhizoecidae: Williamsrhizoecus)

Nomenclatural History

• Williamsrhizoecus hisopo Schneider & LaPolla 2026: 6. Type data: PANAMA: Panamá Oeste Province, Barro Colorado Island, Barbour Lathrop Trail; (9.1598, -79.8397), 58 m; 06/06/2022, byJS LaPolla & SA Schneider. 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: Paratypes. PANAMA • 3 adult ♀; Panamá Oeste Province, Barro Colorado Island, Fausto Trail; 9.1651, -79.8385, 111 m; 1 June 2022; JS LaPolla, SA Schneider leg.; associated with Acropyga exsanguis, nest under rotten log; USNM Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• SchneiLa2026: pp.10 ( Adult (F) ) [species of Williamsrhizoecus]

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is provisionally placed in Williamsrhizoecus based on the presence of clavate setae on the antennae, sensory-tipped setae on the body, the presence of tritubular cerores (also referred to as tritubular pores or ducts) in most specimens of the type series, and the absence of dorsal ostioles. Specimens of Williamsrhizoecus hisopo can be distinguished from other members of the genus by having very few tritubular cerores—typically 1–2 and not more than 5—present on the dorsum only or by lacking them altogether. The form of their sensory setae is also distinctive. Williamsrhizoecus hisopo bears sensory-tipped body setae that resemble cotton swabs. The rounded ends of these setae appear delicate and “cottony” and are often difficult to see using light microscopy but are clearer under SEM. When the cottony tips are not apparent, these setae seem to have blunt tips or forked tips with 3 tines. They are similar to the sensory setae found in species of Eumyrmococcus in the family Xenococcidae. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2026)
• Structure: Adult female in life, body bright white to cream colored with minute amounts of mealy wax present, visible only under magnification. Mounted on microscope slide, body broadly oval to rounded and membranous, 0.50–0.78 (0.59) mm long, widest near abdominal segment I, 0.33–0.52 (0.42) mm wide. Abdomen gently tapering toward abdominal segment VIII. Anal lobes poorly developed with 3 stout setae present on each lobe. Most body setae as well as anal lobe setae are sensory setae resembling cotton swabs; with a sclerotized shaft and faint clavate apex; distal end of sclerotized shaft blunt or forked with 3 tines, faint clavate apex of setae unsclerotized and often indistinct; each body seta of this type 5–12 μm long. Flagellate body setae present in submedial areas of venter, each 9–24 μm long. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2026)
• Biology: Williamsrhizoecus hisopo was discovered from a series of at least 17 nests of Acropyga exsanguis at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Nests were found in shallow soil, often along large tree buttresses, under rocks, or in rotten logs. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2026)
• General Remarks: Detailed description, illustration and photographs in Schneider & LaPolla, 2026.

Illustrations

Citations