Valid Names Results

Delottococcus euphorbiae (Ezzat & McConnell, 1956) (Pseudococcidae: Delottococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Planococcus euphorbiae Ezzat & McConnell 1956: 77. Type data: SOUTH AFRICA: intercepted in U.S.A., on Euphorbia sp.. Holotype, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Allococcus meridionalis De Lotto 1961: 212. Type data: SOUTH AFRICA: Bellville, on Geranium sp.. Holotype, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; junior synonym (discovered by DeLott1977, 19).
• Allococcus euphorbiae (Ezzat & McConnell, 1956); De Lotto 1977: 19. change of combination
• Delottococcus euphorbiae (Ezzat & McConnell, 1956); Cox & Ben-Dov 1986: 488. change of combination

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 7 | Genera: 14

Foes:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• MillerGi2011: pp.638-639 ( ) [Key to species of Delottococcus]
• MarottPa1997: pp.114 ( Adult (F) ) [Italian mealybugs on Geranium sp.]

Remarks

• Systematics: This species is most similar to Delottococcus quaesitus by having submarginal multilocular pores and several oral-collar tubular ducts near cerarius 13. Delottococcus euphorbiae differs by having: (characters in brackets are those of D. quaesitus) submarginal multilocular pores numerous on abdomen with more than 20 on each side of body (few, less than 20), 17 or 18 pairs of cerarii (9-14 pairs); few dorsal oral rims with 2-4 on abdominal segment VII (many with 8-13 oral rims). (Miller & Giliomee, 2011)
• Structure: See a photograph of the adult female in Tranfaglia & Marotta (1982). The body of the adult female is pinkish, covered with white wax and the abdominal segmentation is apparent. The margin of the body has 18 pairs of filaments that are subequal in size with the exception of the posterior two pairs. The penultimate pair is longer than the anterior pairs but is about half the length of the anal pair which are broad and conspicuous. The ovisac is about 1.5 times the length of the body of the adult female. In heavy infestations the ovisacs coalesce and form a white waxy mass. (Miller & Giliomee, 2011)
• Biology: The species is biparental, oviparous, developing four annual generations in Portici, Italy. Overwintering as fertilized females (Marotta & Pagano, 1997). This species is attended by the ant Iridomyrmex humilis (Matile-Ferrero, 1983a). When the infestations are heavy, they occur on all parts of the plants except the roots. Large amounts of honeydew are produced which become contaminated with sooty mold and turn the plant black. (Miller & Giliomee, 2011)
• General Remarks: Good description and illustration of the adult female given by Ezzat & McConnell (1956) and De Lotto (1961). Good description of the adult female given by Tranfaglia & Marotta (1982). Redescription and illustration in Miller & Giliomee, 2011.

Illustrations

Citations