Ceraleurodicus splendidus Hempel, 1922

NOMENCLATURE:

Ceraleurodicus splendidus Hempel, 1922: 7 .

Radialeurodicus cinereus Bondar, 1922 . Synonymised by Costa Lima (1928: 137).

Distribution. Neotropical region— Brazil (Dooley 2022; Ouvrard & Martin 2022).

Host. Arecaceae: Cocos nucifera (Dooley 2022; Ouvrard & Martin 2022).

Material examined. 3 puparia on 1 slide, BRAZIL, Bahia, from C. nucifera, 7.xii.1923, G. Bondar (B.M. 1924/44) (NHMUK 010162453) (NHMUK).

Redescription

Puparium: Body (Fig. 9a) ovoid in shape (2.70–2.90 mm long). 9 pairs of lateral rays running mesad from the puparial margin.

6 pairs of subequal compound pores on the sub-mesial plane of the dorsum (Fig. 9c) located thusly: 1 cephalothoracic pair located between the two anterior pairs of rays, and 5 pairs on abdominal segments III, IV, V, VI, and VII.

Puparial margin (Fig. 9b) is planar, but with submarginal folds producing a crenulated submarginal layer with well-defined teeth, and an additional layer of folds of less well-defined teeth, appearing as collars for the dentate folds. The puparial margin has distinct combs (Fig. 9b) at the apices of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th pairs of rays.

VO (Fig. 9d) is elongate subdeltoid, and approximately 1.3–1.4 times longer than wide; operculum is widely oblong; lingula is elongate subcordate. On the lingula are two pairs of subapical setae.

Adults. No adults were available for this study. The following is modified from the original description by Hempel (1922). The wings are relatively short, but broad (approximately 2.50 mm by 1.49 mm). Veins R, M, and Cu well developed on the anterior wings. Both the anterior and posterior wings are densely covered with large and small, irregular, fuliginous spots.

Comments. The original descriptions by Hempel (1922) of the puparia and adults of this species unfortunately do not include any illustrations. While there were puparia available for study, no adult specimens were available.