Melissoaspis

Ben-Dov, Yair, 2010, On new taxa and some described armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) living in the galleries of the ant Melissotarsus insularis Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar, Zootaxa 2368, pp. 49-58 : 50

Melissoaspis Ben-Dov, n. gen

Type species: Melissoaspis reticulata n. sp.

This genus is referable to the subfamily Aspidiotinae. The pygidium of adult female is comprised of segments V, VI, VII and VIII, with 2-4 pairs of lobes. Without pygidial plates, without marginal scleroses, and without perivulvar pores. Dorsum of abdominal segments VIII, VII and VI with a reticulated pattern of dark and bright areas which are disposed perpendicularly to pygidial margin. Antennal tubercle submarginal with one seta. Spiracles without perispiracular pores. Microducts of 1-barred type, thin and long, present in small numbers on both venter and dorsum. Anal opening placed at about half distance to vulva.

This genus is referable to the Aspidiotinae because the adult female of the two species included in it are characterized in: microducts of 1-barred type, unisetose antennal tubercle, spiracles without perispiracular pores, and pygidial margin with lobes. This genus differs from other genera of the Aspidiotinae in the absence of pygidial plates in the adult female. Melissoaspis might be considered as related to the Rugaspidiotine group of genera based on the shape of pygidial margin, but the latter belong to the Diaspidinae.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from " Melisso " as an abbreviation of the generic name " Melissotarsus " and of the Greek noun " aspis " [=scale], referring to the association of the two new species, here included in this genus, with the ant Melissotarsus insularis .