The Identity of Some East African Species of Saissetia (Homoptera, Coccidae)

Abstract

A systematic review of some species of the Coccid genus Saissetia occurring in East Africa led to the rediscovery of two species—S. persimilis (Newst.) and S. somereni (Newst.)—which although of economic importance have been almost completely neglected since they were first described. Both are redescribed in this paper. One new species recently collected in Kenya is described; this is S. pterolobina.Seven species are dealt with in the paper, including the important and widely distributed S. oleae (Bern.). A provisional key for their separation is included, while one species—S. cuneiformis Leonardi—is sunk as a synonym of S. nigra (Nietn.).