Valid Names Results

Cryptostigma melissophilum Kondo, 2010 (Coccidae: Cryptostigma)

Nomenclatural History

• Cryptostigma melissophilum Kondo 2010b: 37-41. Type data: BRAZIL: Amazonas, Rio Negro, Tapurucuara Mirim, 0º25’17”S, 66º24”22”W, on Campsiandra angustifolia, inside nest of Schwarzula coccidophila, 7/3/1999, by J.M.F. Camargo & S.R.M. Pedro. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Sao Paulo: Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil; accepted valid name Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• KondoRo2022: pp.551-552 ( Adult (F) ) [species of Cryptostigma]
• KondoRo2022: pp.552-553 ( First instar ) [known nymphs of Cryptostigma]
• Kondo2010b: pp.9-10 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to the adult females of Cryptostigma Ferris]
• Kondo2010b: pp.10 ( First instar ) [Key to the known first-instar nymphs of Cryptostigma Ferris]

Remarks

• Systematics: The adult female of C. melissophilum can be diagnosed by the following features: (i) body shape oval, (ii) dorsal setae absent, (iii) dorsum with 3 orbicular pores, (iv) cribriform platelets present, (v) anal plates with about 16 setae on dorsal surface, (vi) stigmatic setae totalling 3 per cleft, but often broken off, (vii) apodemes conspicuous on dorsal derm marginally and submarginally, (viii) some fleshy setae on antennae always branched, and (ix) presence of a marginal band of multilocular disc-pores around body margin on abdomen. C. melissophilum appears most similar in morphology to C. jonmartini. C. melissophilum and C. jonmartini can be separated by the following character states: (i) the thickness of the waxy layer covering the dorsum of live specimens (rather thick, about 1.5 mm or more in C. melissophilum; thin, less than 1 mm in C. jonmartini); and (ii) the width of posterior spiracular peritremes (each 243-297 µm wide in C. melissophilum; 145-200 µm wide in C. jonmartini). In addition, C. jonmartini is associated with tending ants whereas C. melissophilum is associated with bees. (Kondo, 2010b) The first-instar nymph of C. melissophilum can be diagnosed by the following combination of features: (i) dorsal setae present in 2 longitudinal rows of about 5 pairs, (ii) with 1 stigmatic seta in each anterior and posterior stigmatic cleft, (iii) presence of 7 marginal setae between anterior and posterior stigmatic setae, (iv) antennae 6 segmented, (v) ventral submedian setae 4 pairs: 1 pair on last 3 abdominal segments, plus 1 isolated pair between meso- and metathoracic legs (vi) anterior stigmatic furrows each with 8-11 pores, posterior stigmatic furrows each with 9-12 pores, (vii) presence of 3 or 4 microducts between each pair of submarginal setae on abdomen and (viii) femur with 4 setae. (Kondo, 2010b)
• Structure: Young adult female subcircular, flattish, constricted at stigmatic clefts; entire body covered with small grayish white waxy flakes; color of body peach pink after removal of wax, with orbicular pores visible as tiny red-brown spots, and with a somewhat powdery wax present just around each orbicular pore; anal plates and circular area around plates reddish to purplish brown; anal cleft only just visible; area around spiracular peritremes conspicuously marked by white spots made of a wax secreted by spiracular discpores. Mature adult female highly convex, oval to elongate oval, becoming irregular in shape when crowded, dorsum with a somewhat granulose texture, body constricted at the stigmatic clefts; color of insect peach pink; dorsum with 6-7 yellowish-white transverse intersegmental lines separated from each other at regular intervals; transverse lines interrupted by a median longitudinal groove and 1 or 2 additional grooves running from thoracic region near head posteriorly towards area just anterior or laterad to anal plates. Orbicular pores present close to body margin, represented by 3 tiny circular reddish-brown spots: 1 on head region, and 1 between stigmatic areas on each side of body. Area around spiracular peritreme marked by snow-white wax. Different growth stages usually found within each colony, with first- and second-instar nymphs appearing yellowish. (Kondo, 2010b)
• Biology: Cryptostigma melissophilum is closely associated with stingless bees. The stingless bees obtain honeydew for food and also collect wax from the waxy test to build their nest. C. melissophilum has a rather thick waxy layer which is constantly harvested by the stingless bees which rub the wax between their basitarsi to form pellets, which they then transport in their mandibles to their nest where it is stored as wax deposits or used in the construction or repair of their nest. (Kondo, 2010b)
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustrations in Kondo, 2010b.

Illustrations

Citations