Argenta eduardoi Granara de Willink, 2023

Granara de, María C., Willink, González, Patricia & Stumpf, Christof F., 2023, Revision of the family Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Argentina, Insecta Mundi 2023 (996), pp. 1-23 : 3-5

Argenta eduardoi Granara de Willink , new species

( Fig. 1 )

Type material. Holotype. Female marked with a black circle. Argentina, Tucumán, Río Marapa, 20/ii/1993, on Schinus sp. (Anacardiaceae) , MCG Willink col. 1(2) IFML. Paratypes. 6 (8, 5 N 2, 4N 1); same data as holotype. IFML.

Diagnosis. Marginal and submarginal ducts with eight-shaped pores numerous on ventral cephalothorax; ventral quinquelocular pores numerous in spiracular atrium and in the prothoracic and mesothoracic areas. Habitus. This species forms a closed, slightly protruding gall with a small dorsal hole in the host’s bark. The individuals, protected by a serous cover, form depressions and are arranged side by side in galleries under the bark, probably produced by other insects.

Microscopic description. Adult female. Pyriform, 816 (567–838) µm long and 648 (372–666) µm wide. Dermis membranous, with the last abdominal segments (VIII-IX) posterior to the vulva slightly sclerotized, forming a caudal process with a rounded end, with 1–2 setae on each side.

Dorsum. Eight-shaped pore ducts, approximately 5–7.35 µm in diameter, scattered on the surface, more numerous in the cephalic area, considerably decreasing in number toward the abdomen, absent on the caudal process. Tubular ducts 14–21 µm long and 1 µm wide, with a short arm, numerous on the thorax and scattered on the abdomen. Caudal process without pores or ducts, with 2–3 pairs of very short spiniform marginal setae, 3.5–5 µm long. Simple, non-terminal anal opening, at the end of an anal tube. Anal ring 12 (10–12) µm in diameter, without pores and setae.

Venter. Very small antennae, apparently one-segmented with short setae. Spiracles with thin arms and small atria, approximately 22 µm long and 8 µm in diameter. Similar-sized anterior and posterior spiracles open into a circular peritreme, 35 (35–49) µm in diameter, with 10–12 quinquelocular pores, 4.2 µm in diameter. Quinquelocular pores are also found on the thorax in between the anterior and posterior spiracles, reaching the body margin and close to the mouthparts, but are rare on abdominal segments. The labium is unsegmented. Eight-shaped pore ducts in marginal and submarginal bands throughout the length of the body, numerous on the cephalothorax and rare on the abdomen. Vulva on first abdominal segment anterior to sclerotized area. Scattered submarginal bilocular pores on the abdomen. Up to six small, spiniform setae per segment, 3–5 (3.5) µm in length, in the membranous part of the abdomen. Legs absent.

First instar nymph ( Fig. 2 ). The description is based on a single individual. The other three available specimens are not in good condition.

Oval body shape, 280 µm long and 100 µm wide, with membranous dermis. With small, rounded anal lobes, not separated, carrying three dorsal setae of similar lengths and two ventral setae, one 3.5 µm long, and the apical one longer.

Dorsum. With marginal eight-shaped pore ducts, one per abdominal segment, one on the prothorax, one on the mesothorax, one on the metathorax, one in the anterior region, and one posterior to the eye, on each side of the body, also in submedial rows on abdominal segments I, V, and VII. With spiniform marginal setae, very thin, 5.6 µm long, one behind each antenna.

Venter. Antennae 45 µm long, with five segments. The base segment is 10 µm long, II 10 µm, III 8 µm, IV 6 µm, and V 9 µm; with 3–4 setae at the tip, one fleshy seta in the middle of the distal segment, and two setae on the base segment. Eyes present, on the margins. Clypeolabral shield 42 µm long and 25 µm wide, labium 23 µm long and 25 µm wide. Anterior and posterior spiracles of similar size, 8 µm in length, with a trilocular pore close to the peritreme. Well-developed legs, coxae of the metathoracic legs 12 µm long and 14 µm wide, trochanter plus femur 27 µm long, and tibia plus tarsus plus claw 31 µm long.

Second instar nymph ( Fig. 3 ). Oval body shape, 444 µm long and 288 µm wide, with membranous dermis. Anal lobes with three dorsal setae, slightly sclerotized, with a gap, and one anal tube. Dorsum: With short eight-shaped pore ducts along the margin, 5 µm long and 4.2 µm wide. With 10–12 eight-shaped pore ducts along the margin on each side of the body, one duct in front of the mouthparts, one submedial on the prothorax, and four ducts on the dorsal midline of the abdomen. Posterior sclerotized area without pores, with three pairs of short, spiniform, marginal setae. Anal ring without setae and pores. Venter: Antennae strongly reduced, invaginated, with 3–4 short setae. With similar-sized anterior and posterior spiracles, 15.4 µm in length, peritreme diameter 6.3 µm; spiracles open into a circular depression approximately 21 µm in diameter, with 2–3 quinquelocular pores, 3.5 µm in diameter, with 4–5 quinquelocular pores also found in the spiracular furrows. Mouthparts 56 µm long, with unsegmented labium. Legs absent.

Etymology. The specific epithet was designated in honor of Eduardo Willink for the strong support throughout the career of the author of the species.

Figures

Figure 1. Argenta eduardoi sp. nov., adult female. a) Dorsal (left), ventral (right) view. b, e) Eight-shaped pore duct. c, g) Tubular duct. d) Antenna. f) Quinquelocular pore. h) Bilocular pore.

Figure 2. Argenta eduardoi sp. nov., first instar nymph. a) Dorsal (left), ventral (right) view. b) Eight-shaped pore duct. c) Anal lobe. d) Trilocular pore.

Figure 3. Argenta eduardoi sp. nov., second instar nymph. a) Dorsal (left), ventral (right) view. b) Eight-shaped pore duct. c) Anal lobe. d) Antenna. e) Quinquelocular pores.