Pseudaspidoproctus Morrison

Watson, Gillian W., 2022, Towards identification of the scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) of continental Africa: 2. Checklists and keys to six archaeococcoid families, Zootaxa 5105 (3), pp. 301-356 : 337

Genus Pseudaspidoproctus Morrison

Pseudaspidoproctus is an African genus of nine described species that have not been thoroughly studied, two of which have not been recorded from continental Africa ( García Morales et al. 2016). Now that Pseudaspidoproctus zimmermanni has been transferred to Aspidoproctus (see the new combination made above), there are six species found on the continent. They are quite large for scale insects; the anterior margin of the marsupium lacks a dense band of pores, so in life the marsupial opening is not covered by a flap of felted wax. The insects prefer woody hosts ( García Morales et al. 2016) and are of no economic importance.

The material studied included syntypes of P. africanus , the lectotype of P. hyphaeniacus , and a paratype of P. vayssieriellus but no type material of P. acaciae . No material of P. fortis was seen, so it is not included in the key below.

Key to species of Pseudaspidoproctus in continental Africa, not including P. fortis

1(0) Dermal spines present. With 3 oblong cicatrices. Internal ring on anal tube with pores.............................. 2

- Dermal spines absent. With 1 or 3 subcircular cicatrices. Internal ring on anal tube without pores...................... 3

2(1) Marsupial opening U-shaped, anterior marsupial band not developed........................................ fulleri

- Marsupial opening V-shaped, anterior marsupial band sclerotized............................. hyphaeniacus ( Fig. 19 )

3(1) With 1 subcircular cicatrice. Marsupial opening V-shaped but distal acute angle rounded.................. vayssieriellus

- With 3 subcircular cicatrices. Marsupial opening sharply V-shaped or absent...................................... 4

4(3) Marsupial opening sharply V-shaped. Mature female sclerotized, cuticle brown............................. africanus

- Marsupial opening absent. Mature female cuticle membranous............................................ acaciae

Figures

FIGURE 19. Pseudaspidoproctus hyphaeniacus (Hall), adult female, developed from Morrison (1928: 139, Fig. 66). C: cicatrices; M: marsupium opening.