Reticulaphis septica Yeh & Hsu

Yeh, Hsin-Ting, Ko, Chiun-Cheng & Hsu, Tung-Ching, 2008, Review of the East-Asian genus Reticulaphis (Aphididae: Hormaphidinae), with two new species, Zootaxa 1782, pp. 34-48 : 45-46

Reticulaphis septica Yeh & Hsu sp. nov.

( Figs. 14, 15 )

Apterous adult female. A small species, body ovate, black with purplish-blue burnish, marginal setae short and stout, with fan-shaped apices, body margin without waxy powder. Body 0.47–0.53 mm long, about 1.33 (1.27–1.41) times as long as wide, widest part at position corresponding to front legs, 2 shrunken furrows from prosomal margin to submargin at positions corresponding to front and middle legs. Antennae much shorter than space between them, L-shaped bend without segmentation, long arm about 25–37.5 μm with 1 minute rhinaria and 1 terminal seta near apex. Eyes submarginal, with 2 facets (some individuals with 3 facets). Prosoma distinctly reticulated with pale thin lines, dorsum with 3 deep transverse ridges on median area and several rounded areas surrounding it; 5 pairs of minute setae on central axis of prosoma, 1st pair between eyes; prosoma with 10 pairs of marginal setae, all marginal setae short and stout, almost as long as long arm of antennae, with fan-shaped or serrated apices. Legs short, hind legs somewhat exposed; front and middle tibiae shorter than femora, hind tibiae equal to or shorter than femora; tarsi narrower than tibia, longer than wide; 1 long fine capitate seta on dorsal front tarsi, 2 such setae on middle and hind tarsi. Abdominal tergites II–VII about 140–157.5 μm wide and 57.5–67.5 μm long, also reticulated, without siphunculi and with 6 pairs minute setae along converging sides of tergites, only base tubercles visible. Abdominal tergite VIII an equilateral triangle, about 75–85 μm wide and 30–40 μm long, with 2 blunt, stout apical setae, nearly as long as marginal setae. Cauda knobbed, constricted basally. Subanal plate deeply bilobed, each lobe with 4–6 setae.

Material examined. Holotype, Taiwan: Dashe Township, Kaohsiung Co., on Ficus septica , 9-iv-2006, H.T. Yeh (#476). Paratypes, Taiwan: Luodong Township, Ilan Co., 28-iii-2006, 22 apterous adults from F. septica (on 2 microscope slides) ( Y.F. Chen #469); Baihe Township, Tainan Co., 8-iv-2007, 12 apterous adults from F. septica (C.C. Ko #596); Da-an District, Taipei City, 21-iv-2007, 14 apterous adults from F. septica (T.C. Hsu #600); Dashe Township, Kaohsiung Co., 27-v-2007, 48 apterous adults from F. septica (on 7 microscope slides) (H.T. Yeh #608) ( ANIC, BMNH, CDFA, NMNS, TARIIC, USNM).

Etymology. The specific name ‘ septica ’ is derived from the associated host plant, F. s e p t i c a.

Remarks. This species can be found in suburbs or hills, and feeds year round on new to mature leaves. The population density can be very high on mature leaves, and often causes serious sooty molds. This species differs from R. mirabilis in the pair of tiny setae between the eyes on the dorsal prosoma, and the comparatively stout marginal setae with distinctly fan-shaped apices of the prosoma; and differs from R. asymmetrica by the ovate body shape, and the pleural regions of prosoma not being expanded.

Figures

FIGURES 12 – 15. 12, 13. Reticulaphis rotifera apterous adults, (12) alive; (13) dorsal view. 14, 15. Reticulaphis septica apterous adults, (14) alive; (15) dorsal view.