Valid Names Results

Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Wille, 1922) (Margarodidae: Eurhizococcus)

Nomenclatural History

• Margarodes brasiliensis Wille 1922: 84. Type data: BRAZIL: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Maria, on roots of grapevine and Petroselinum, 1921.. Syntypes, unknown, accepted valid name Illustr.
• Margarodes brasiliensis; Costa Lima 1924: 136. subsequent use Notes: Incorrect citation of "Hempel" as author.
• Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Wille, 1922); Silvestri 1936: 40. change of combination
• Eurhizococcus brasiliensis; Silvestri 1936: 39. subsequent use Notes: Incorrect citation of "Hempel" as author.
• Eurchizococcus brasiliensis; Costa Lima 1950: 241. misspelling of genus name
• Eurhizococcus brasiliensis; Jakubski 1965: 174. subsequent use Notes: Incorrect citation of "Hempel" as author.
• Margarodes soria Foldi 1987: 156. Type data: BRAZIL: Rio Grande do Sul, Veranopolis, on roots of Vitis vinifera; collected 19.11.1985, by I. Foldi.. Holotype, immature, Type depository: Sao Paulo: Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil; junior synonym (discovered by Foldi1989e, 320). Illustr.
• Eurhizococcus brasiliensis; Foldi 1989e: 320. subsequent use Notes: Incorrect citation of "Hempel" as author.

Common Names

• Brazilian ground pearl GillChFo2022
• Perla de tierra de Brasil GillChFo2022
• pérola da terra GillChFo2022

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 24 | Genera: 43

Foes:

Families: 2 | Genera: 2

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 2

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• daSilvCa2012: pp.212 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to the species of Termitococcinae]
• daSilvCa2012: pp.212 ( First instar ) [Key to the species of Termitococcinae]
• HodgsoFo2006: pp.94-95 ( Adult (M) ) [Margarodidae males]

Remarks

• Systematics: Wille (1922) indicated that Adolpho Hempel suggested the name Margarodes brasiliensis. However, Wille (1922) described the species and provided a photograph. Therefore, the species should be credited to Wille (1922). Foldi (1989e) concluded that the holotype and paratypes of Margarodes soria Foldi, 1987 were prepupae - not adult female as indicated in the original description - and were identical to the prepupae of Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Wille, 1922). Separation of slide-mounted adult female from closely related species: antennae 5-segmented with long setae, except scape without setae. Dorsum and venter densely covered with long hair-like setae (each 800–1200 μm long), mixed with shorter hair-like and flagellate setae of various lengths. Mouthparts absent. (Foldi, Watson & Kondo in Kondo & Watson, 2022)
• Structure: Live adult female, eggs, crawlers and immature cysts pale yellow. Body of adult female 5.0–8.0 mm long, 3.0–5.0 mm wide; adult male 5–6 mm long with 1 pair of wings, each 5.0–6.0 mm long. (Foldi, Watson & Kondo in Kondo & Watson, 2022)
• Biology: Eurhizococcus brasiliensis reproduces sexually and by facultative parthenogenesis. There is 1 generation per year, with 4 developmental stages in the female. (Foldi, Watson & Kondo in T.Kondo & G.Watson, 2022) Soria & Braghini (1999) developed a method to rear this species in the laboratory on sprouting potato tubers. Sacchett et al. (2009) studied the ants associated with (E. brasiliensis), that may account for its dispersal. Nondillo et al. (2013) showed that L. micans is fundamental for the attachment and transport of first-instar E. brasiliensis nymphs. The mutualistic interactions between ants and honeydew-producing insects can increase the population size of both.
• Economic Importance: Kalvelage (1987) recorded this species as a pest of alfalfa in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The species was also found to be present and contributing to a general decline in blackberry (Rubus spp.) (Rosaceae) and blueberry plants. Symptoms of E. brasiliensis attack included chlorotic leaves with gradual wasting, reduced production, and mortality, all of which combine to make the crop nonviable in infested areas. Controlling Brazilian ground pearl in berry plants is complicated by the fact that these crops are commonly grown on organic farms. In vineyards, neonicotinoid insecticides are currently used against the ground pearl (Efrom, et al, 2012)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of nymphs and adult female by Silvestri (1936), Foldi & Soria (1989) and by Foldi (2005a). Description of nymphs and adult female by Jakubski (1965). Foldi (1990) described and illustrated all male instars, and Foldi (2005) described and illustrated all female instars.

Illustrations

Citations