Key to conifer-infesting species of Lepidosaphes Schimer (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) with descriptions of two new species and a redescription of L. pallidula (Williams)

Authors: Miller, Douglass; WILLIAMS, D. - DEPT OF ENTOMOLOGY LONDON; DAVIDSON, JOHN - DEPT OF ENTOMOLOGY, MD

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2006
Publication Date: 11/23/2006
Citation: Miller, D.R., Williams, D.J., Davidson, J.A. 2006. Key to conifer-infesting species of Lepidosaphes Schimer (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) with descriptions of two new species and a redescription of L. pallidula (Williams). Zootaxa. 1362:23-42.

Interpretive Summary: Armored scales cause billions of dollars in damage or control costs each year and are serious threats as invasive species in the U. S. and elsewhere. This research provides definitive identification tools for a group of armored scales that are pests on ornamental and forest coniferous trees. If an invasive species of the group becomes established in the United States, this research will help action agencies make informed pest exclusion decisions. Invasive species specialists, extension entomologists, plant quarantine inspectors, state and federal identifiers, and scale researchers will benefit from the information in this paper.

Technical Abstract: A dichotomus key is presented for the identification of adult females of the 25 species of Lepidosaphes that occur on conifers. Two new species are described, including L. caribaeae Williams and Miller from Trinidad and Jamaica and L. murreeana Williams and Miller from Pakistan. Lepidosaphes pallidula (Williams), a non-conifer infesting species, is redescribed so that it can be distinguished from L. pallida (Maskell), a species commonly detected on conifers. A matrix is provided containing 23 characters considered important in distinguishing the 25 conifer-infesting species.