Valid Names Results

Kuwanina obscurata (Maskell, 1896) (Eriococcidae: Kuwanina)

Nomenclatural History

• Sphaerococcus obscuratus Maskell 1896b: 403-405. Type data: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales, Hornsby, near Sydney, on Acacia longifolia and Eucalyptus obtusiflora, by Froggatt. Syntypes, female, Type depository: Auckland: New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Landcare Research, New Zealand; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Kuwanina obscurata (Maskell, 1896); Ferris 1919d: 251. change of combination requiring emendation of specific epithet for agreement in gender Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• WuLi2009: pp.221 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to Kuwanina species ]
• Hender2007a: pp.10 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to Kuwanina species adult females]

Remarks

• Systematics: Slide-mounted adult female with: enlarged setae conical, in transverse rows on abdomen; microtubular ducts present; legs absent; antennae abortive, with 3 or 4 segments (Ferris, 1919d). Miller et al. (1998) discussed systematic issues concerning this species.
• Structure: Adult female is dull red or yellowish red or brownish, globular or subelliptical. The female of the second stage is circular, flattish dorsally and ventrally or subglobular. First-instar nymphs are subelliptical, flattish, active. Male pupa is enclosed in a felted, yellowish, cylindrical sac which has a small orifice at the posterior end (Maskell, 1896b).
• Biology: Adult female covered by a swelling of the bark of host which is frequently coated with black fungus (Maskell, 1896b). Froggatt collected this scale on Eucalyptus longifolia and E. obtusiflora (both occur in the region where Froggatt collected) and sent one or both lots to Maskell. Maskell made an error in reporting the host names and wrote "Acacia longifolia and Eucalyptus obtusiflora". Froggatt (1921), forgetting his earlier collection, later thought that Maskell had made an error and corrected the host records to "Acacia linifolia and A. obtusiflora" to make them both on Acacia. The only problem is that there is an Acacia longifolia and it is very common in coastal New South Wales. So it's not clear why Froggatt would have turned A. longifolia into Acacia linifolia (Gullan, personal communication, March 1st, 2002).
• General Remarks: Most comprehensive description and illustration by Ferris (1919d).

Illustrations

Citations