Rhodesaclerdinae Hodgson & Millar 2002

Hodgson, Chris, 2020, A review of neococcid scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha) based on the morphology of the adult males, Zootaxa 4765 (1), pp. 1-264 : 216-218

Rhodesaclerdinae Hodgson & Millar 2002

Type genus: Rhodesaclerda McConnell 1954 .

Introduction: the species in this subfamily are only known from Combretaceae and the mistletoe families Loranathaceae and Viscaceae in southern Africa. It includes two genera, Rhodesaclerda McConnel with 3 species and Kwazulaclerda Hodgson & Millar with 1 species. This group was last revised by Hodgson and Millar (2002)

Subfamily diagnosis based on adult male morphology ( Fig. 86 ). Body: small to moderate in size; body with few setae, mostly on venter where mainly fleshy setae (fs); fs generally easy to differentiate from hair-like (hs) setae. Body often with fairly frequent small convex pores (cp) dorsally on thorax and/or abdomen. Head: median crest (mc) represented by slightly sclerotised ridge with a few striations. Dorsal mid-cranial ridge generally absent; ventral mid-cranial ridge (vmcr) very short to quite long, with hs ventral median ridge setae (vmcrs) posterior to each scape. Genae (g) unsclerotised, without polygonal reticulations; genal setae (gs) absent ( Rhodesaclerda ) or present ( Kwazulaclerda ). Eyes: two pairs of simple eyes, subequal in size. Ocelli (o) present and surrounded by strong ridges from postocular ridge. Ocular sclerite (ocs) sclerotised, with some polygonal reticulation. Preocular ridge very short ( Rhodesaclerda ) or absent ( Kwazulaclerda ). Postocular ridge (procr) well developed. Postoccipital ridge absent. Antennae: short, 7-segmented ( Rhodesaclerda ) or 8 segmented ( Kwazulaclerda ), filiform; flagellar segments rather narrow, with short fs and an occasional hs; bristles on subapical segments not apparently differentiated; capitate setae present on apical segment. Prothorax: small convex pores (cp) present or absent on dorsum. Mesothorax: scutum (sct): median membranous area small, about twice as wide as long; with 1 or 2 pairs hs scutal setae (scts). Scutellum (scl) rectangular, sclerotised and tubular, with a foramen; scutellar setae (scls) absent. Area within mesopostnotum unsclerotised. Basisternum (stn 2) with well-developed median ridge (mdr) or represent- ed by weak sclerotisations; without basisternal setae (present on precoxal ridges of R. combreticola ); lateropleurite (lpl) either very large, often extending anteriorly as well as laterally ( Rhodesaclerda ) or narrow ( Kwazulaclerda ). Mesothoracic spiracle (sp 2) without disc-pores. Postmesospiracular setae absent. Metathorax: metathoracic spiracle (sp 3) not placed more posteriorly than on Coccidae , without disc-pores. Anterior and posterior metasternal setae (amss, pmss) present. Wings: hyaline; narrow. Without alar lobes or alar setae. Hamulohalteres (h) absent. Legs: with few setae, usually all hs or spur-like; often with radial ridges. Trochanter (tr) each with a longer seta ventrally. Tarsal campaniform pore absent. Claws (c) rather elongate and narrow, with a denticle. Abdomen: segments I–VII: sternites (as) and tergites (at) all with sclerites; pleurites on segments IV–VII generally showing varying degrees of sclerotisation. Caudal extension (ce) of segment VII poorly developed or absent. Dorsal abdominal setae (ads) few, mainly hs; pleural setae (dps and vps) all hs on anterior segments, fs present on posterior segments; ventral abdominal setae (avs) abundant and fs on most or all sternites. Small convex pores (cp) present on dorsum. Segment VIII: caudal extension present and lightly to well sclerotised, each with 1 or 2 short hs; sternite (as) sclerotised, forming anterior section of penial sheath; without setae ( Rhodesaclerda ) or with a pair of hs ( Kwazulaclerda ). Glandular pouches (gp) absent. Genital segments: penial sheath (ps) elongate; segment IX broad, narrowing to a blunt, rather parallel-sided, narrow style. Aedeagus (aed) quite long and broad; approximately parallel-sided or broadening slightly at apex.

Comment. Not only are the hosts of Aclerdinae (bar perhaps A. tillandsiae ) and Rhodesaclerdinae quite different but, despite their still clearly belonging to the Aclerdidae , the adult males of these two subfamilies differ quite significantly morphologically. Specifically, those of Rhodesaclerdinae have (character-states on Aclerdinae in brackets): (i) a strong sclerotised ridge around each ocellus (absent); (ii) antennae with 7 or 8 segments (10); (iii) frequent fs on margins and venter of abdomen (fs absent on abdomen); and (iv) claws with a denticle (absent). As an example of Rhodesaclerdinae, R. insleyae Hodgson & Millar is illustrated here ( Fig. 86 ).

Figures

FIGURE 86. Rhodesaclerda insleyae Hodgson & Millar. Macropterous male. (Aclerdidae, Rhodesaclerdinae).Where D=simple pore and R=dermal reticulations on ocular sclerite.