New scale insects (Homoptera: Coccinea) from Neotropical region

Abstract

Four new species of scale insects collected in Mexico are described and illustrated. Puto bicirculatus sp. nov. (Pseudococcidae) seems to be most similar with the widely distributed P. barberi (Cockerell, 1895), but differs from the last in the presence of 2 distinct circuli, in 15–16 pairs of cerarii (instead of 17–18), in more numerous tubular ducts (especially on abdominal sternites), and in very poorly developed ostioles. Acanthococcus reineri sp. nov. (Eriococcidae) has peculiar microtubular ducts with bifurcate opening and differs from congeners posessing the same type of wax glands in the fine structure of microtubular ducts, which have the duct, subdivided into 2 parts: thinner (connected with bifurcate opening) and distal larger part. Philephedra zipolitana sp. nov. (Coccidae) differs from all congeners in the fine structure of invaginated conical setae («dorsal tubercles»); these setae have truncate apex and surrounded each at the base by 5–6 oval pores; invaginated setae and pores are located inside of pot-like cuticular pouch, which is slightly narrowed at the orifice. Prionococcus alexandrae sp. nov. (Coccidae) differs from all congeners in the marginal setae (mainly bulbous), forming loose, widely interrupted row with gaps several times longer than setae and in the absence of stigmatic setae. The overlapped diagnostic characters of the nominal genera Philephedra Cockerell, 1898 and Alichtensia Cockerell, 1902 (Coccidae) are briefly discussed.