ARS | Publication request: Casuarinacola, a new genus of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Triozidae) from Casuarina (Casuarinaceae)

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 22, 2010
Publication Date: September 2, 2010
Citation: Taylor, G.S., Austin, A.D., Jennings, J.T., Purcell, M., Wheeler, G.S. 2010. Casuarinacola, a new genus of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Triozidae) from Casuarina (Casuarinaceae). Zootaxa. 2601:1-27.

Interpretive Summary: Descriptions of a new genus, Casuarinacola and four new species are the topic of this publication. These insects are assigned to the jumping plant lice family in the bug insect order. These small insects feed as both adults and immature nymphs by sucking plant juices and as such are considered beneficial for the classical biological control of the invasive species of the Casuarina in the U.S.

Technical Abstract: A new genus, Casuarinacola comprising four new species, namely C. equisetifoliae, C. acutialata, C. melanomaculata and C. warrigalensis, of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Triozidae), specific to the host genus Casuarina sensu stricto (Casuarinaceae) from Australia, are described. They are characterised by short ventral genal cones; antenna short, 1.2-1.4 times width of vertex; females with distinctly mottled forewings and males with mottled or clear forewings; and females with short, characteristically bilobed proctiger. A key to species is provided, together with notes on their biology, host associations and biogeography.