Published in

Magnolia Press, Zootaxa, 3(4859), 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.1

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Revision of the whitefly genus, Asterochiton Maskell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from New Zealand, a study of intraspecific variation

Journal article published in 2020 by Nicholas A. Martin
Distributing this paper is prohibited by the publisher
Distributing this paper is prohibited by the publisher

Full text: Unavailable

Red circle
Preprint: archiving forbidden
Red circle
Postprint: archiving forbidden
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

All the specimens of Asterochiton species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on slides in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Auckland, were examined. The study reveals that the genus is currently restricted to New Zealand and is redescribed here. Obvious generic characters are the sub-elliptical to sub-circular puparium with distinct invaginations at the thoracic and caudal pores. Seven species are described: Asterochiton asteliae sp. n. from Astelia trinervia (Asteliaceae), and A. arboreae sp. n., A. areolatae sp. n., A. foetidissimae sp. n., A. propinqua sp. n., A. rhamnoidis sp. n., and A. rotundifoliae sp. n. from small-leaved Coprosma spp. (Rubiaceae). There are now 12 named species of Asterochiton, but the Brazilian species, Asterochiton auricolor (Bondar, 1923), does not belong in the genus. Details of minute setae, previously overlooked in described species, are provided. The setae length was found to vary at specific positions. Two species infesting three species of Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) were observed having long and short setae on the abdomen, sometimes varying within a population from a single tree/host. Asterochiton pittospori Dumbleton is therefore synonymized with A. simplex. Additionally, the location of some setae varied on the subdorsal/submarginal area within a puparium. Chaetotaxy for Asterochiton species is proposed. A key to the puparia of Asterochiton species is provided.