Valid Names Results

Kermes hermonensis Spodek & Ben-Dov, 2014 (Kermesidae: Kermes)

Nomenclatural History

• Kermes hermonensis Spodek & Ben-Dov 2014: 37-50. Type data: ISRAEL: Mt. Hermon, 06/20/2012, on Quercus look. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Bet Dagan: Department of Entomology, The Volcani Center, Israel; accepted valid name Notes: Most type material is deposited in ICVI, with 1 paratype adult female and 1 slide of first-instar nymphs (non-type) at BMNH, MNHN and USNM depositories. Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Foes:

Families: 2 | Genera: 4

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Hodgso2020: pp.153-154 ( Adult (M) ) [Kermesidae]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.7 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to the adult females of Kermesidae species of Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.7-8 ( Third instar (F) ) [Key to the third-instar females of Kermesidae species of Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.8 ( Second instar (F) ) [Key to the second-instar females of Kermesidae species of Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.8 ( First instar ) [Key to the first-instar nymphs of Kermesidae species of Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.8 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to the post-reproductive females of Kermesidae species of Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.8-9 ( Adult (M) ) [Key to the adult males of Kermesidae species in Israel]
• SpodekBe2014: pp.9 ( Second instar (M) ) [Key to the second-instar males of Kermesidae in Israel]

Remarks

• Systematics: Even though the derm of K. hermonensis produces a thick, waxy ovisac that covers its' membranous body during oviposition, Spodek & Ben-Dov (2014) assigned it to the family Kermesidae because its microscopic characters match other species of this family. The derm of most post-reproductive female Kermesidae is sclerotized and lacks a waxy ovisac but two species of Nidularia, N. japonica and N. pulvinata, produce a waxy ovisac posterior to female's body. Adult female K. hermonensis share several traits with K. echinatus and K. vermilio: (i) legs reduced or absent; (ii) same type of tubular duct on both venter and dorsum; (iii) setapore clusters absent from dorsum; (iv) anal ring ventral; (v) conical setae on both margin and dorsum; and (vi) presence of multilocular pores surrounding each scape. These species differ in the structure of the anal ring: K. echinatus has three pairs of setae without pores; K. hermonensis has three pairs of setae with pores, and K. vermilio has pores without setae. Kermes hermonensis also differs from K. echinatus and K. vermilio in the number of antennae and leg segments: K. hermonensis has three, four, five or six-segmented antennae and three-segmented legs, while the two other species have one-segmented antennae and no legs. (Spodek & Ben-Dov, 2014) K. hermonensis second-instar females differ from those of both K. vermilio and K. echinatus in having 3-segmented legs and 3-6-segmented antennae (Spodek & Ben-Dov, 2014). The third instar females of K. hermonensis differ from those of both K. vermilio and K. echinatus in having 3-segmented legs and 5- or 6-segmented antennae (Spodek & Ben-Dov, 2014). The dorsum of the mature female K. hermonensis does not become sclerotised and the female produces a thick, white wax test that encases the eggs. (Spodek, et al., 2016)
• Structure: In K. hermonensis, the number of marginal spine-like setae varies slightly among the different instars, attaining a maximum of 74-80 spines in the third-instar; antennae are 6 segmented in all the instars even if the segmentation is indistinct in some specimens; legs are 3 segmented starting from second-instar female onwards (Spodek & Ben- Dov, 2014).
• General Remarks: Detailed descriptions, illustrations and photographs of first instar, second and third instar and adults females as well as second instar, prepupa and adult males in Spodek & Ben-Dov, 2014.

Illustrations

Citations