Morganella formicaria Ben-Dov

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 : 54-56

Morganella formicaria Ben-Dov n. sp

( Fig. 3)

Shape and colour of scale covering of the adult female unknown, since all specimens of the type-series were scale-less.

Male not observed.

Adult female circular-oval; 0.6–0.7 mm long, 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Pygidium with a pair of median lobes; with a pair of second lobes, about a third as long as median lobes; median lobes, without notches, separated from each other along inner margin, and without plates between lobes; each second lobe notched apically. Segmental setae on pygidial margin each 20-27 μm long. With two pairs of pygidial marginal scleroses. Without perivulvar pores. Anal opening oval, about 12 μm long, 7 μm wide; separated from pygidial apex at a distance about twice its longer axis. Vulva placed at a level about 4 times that of anal opening. Anterior and posterior spiracles without perispiracular pores. Antennal tubercle situated submarginally, with one hair. Microducts, of one-barred type, about 15 μm long, 2 μm in diameter; on venter disposed submarginally from pygidium up to level with anterior spiracle. Dorsal intersegmental line between segments IV and III present as a continuous, dark, sclerotised line; with an oval sclerotised area placed laterally on each side of this intersegmental line. With a longitudinal, sclerotised area placed laterally on each side of the vulva.

Etymology. The species epithet refers to the close association of this armoured scale species with the ant, Melissotarsus insularis .

Type Material. All specimens were collected in MADAGASCAR by B.L. Fisher, from galleries of Melissotarsus insularis Santschi , on various host plants. Holotype female (C-3624:2), Toliara Province, 6.0 km 131° SE, Lavanono, Soamanitra, elevation 150m, 25°26'44"S 44°59'45"E, Salvadora angustifolia (Salvadoraceae) , 17.ii.2002, BLF5739. Paratype: 7 females, locality and host plant not recorded, 9.xii.2001, BLF4784, C-3572. Also 3 females, Toliara Province, Forêt de Mite, 20.7 km 29° WNW Tongobory, elevation 75m, 23°31'27"S 44°7'17"E, Rinorea greveana (Violaceae) , 27.ii.2002, BLF5926, C-3602. Also 2 females, Toliara Province, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329° NNW Amboasary, elevation 35m, 24°57'25"S 46°16'17"E, Rinorea greveana , 3.viii.2002, BLF5386, C-3604. Also 2 females, Toliara Province, Tuliara Airport, elevation 40 m, 23°23'S, 43°43'E, Azima tetracantha (Salvadoraceae) , D. Burge, 7.i.2002, DOB128, C-3611. Also 2 females, Toliara Province, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Malaza, Mandraré River, 8.6 km 314° NW Amboasary, elevation 40m, 25°0'28"S 46°18'22"E, Azima tetracantha , 6.ii.2002, BLF5435, C-3612. Also Toliara Province, Forêt de Mite, 20.7 km 29° WNW Tongobory, elevation 75m, 23°31'27"S 44°7'17"E, Rinorea greveana , 27.ii.2002, BLF5895, C-3623. 4 females, Toliara Province, 6.0 km 131° SE, Lavanono, Soamanitra, elevation 150m, 25°26'44"S 44°59'45"E, Salvadora angustifolia (Salvadoraceae) , 17.ii.2002, BLF5739, C-3624. Also 2 females, Toliara Province, Mahafaly Plateau, 6.2 km 74° ENE Itampolo, elevation 80m, 24°39'13"S 43°59'48"E, host plant not determined, 21.ii.2002, BLF5841, C-3626. Also 2 females, Toliara Province Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka elevation 80m 22°13'59"S 43°21'59"E, host plant not determined, 16.iii.2002, BLF6107, C-3629. Also 1 female, Toliara Province, Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka, elevation 80m, 22°13'59"S 43°21'59"E, Grewia cyclea (Malvaceae) , 16.iii.2002, BLF6089, C-3633. The holotype is deposited, in ICVI; paratypes will be deposited in the collections of BMNH, MNHN and USNM.

Notes. Although this new species differs from the type species of Morganella , M. longispina (Morgan) in having two pairs of pygidial lobes, and in the absence of pygidial plates, it is here being placed in the genus Morganella because in other features of the adult female M. formicaria possess the facies of Morganella - such as prominent median lobes, absence of perivulvar pores, presence of minute microducts, and anal opening placed close to pygidial apex.