| First record of two age groups of first-instar of Nidularia balachowskii Bodenheimer (Hemi.: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha: Kermesidae), using conventional slide-mounting in combination with live mounted specimen (in vitro), with notes on its new characters |
| Paper ID : 1150-3IICE (R1) |
| Authors: |
|
Hassan Ali Vahedi *, Hadis Nehrangi Department of Plant Protection, Compus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah |
| Abstract: |
| The oak scale, N. balachowskii Bodenheimer (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha: Kermesidae), known as gall-like insects is restricted to oaks (Quercus spp.) in the Northern Zagros oak forest region, in Iran. Most descriptions of Kermesidae have focused on the morphological characters of the adult female and first nyphal instars. The morphological characters of the second age group, pharate-first instar, remain poorly understood. The method, live mounted specimen (in vitro), has helped ascertain the second age group as pharate-first instar of N. balachowskii, which contain useful character states of major taxonomic importance. The identification of the second age group, pharate-first instar, of collected individuals is indispensable from both physiological and taxonomic perspectives. One of the main character states of major taxonomic importance for the Kermesidae is the structure and number of the marginal seta on both the first instar and young adult female. The result of this study shows, this charachter can be changed during close priod of transition time. In this case, the second age group (pharete-first-instar) could be mistakenly considered as new species if not carefully studied, during morphological study. Meanwhile, some characters of taxonomic significance of pharate-first-instar such as the marginal spines, with long base swollen shaft, is a new character-state not only for N. balachowskii (Kermesidae), but also for super family of the Coccoidea. This study includes descriptions, illustration, photos and a key for the identification of the life stages (Nymphal stages includind pharate+adult female) of N. balachowskii, useing an additional technique (in vitro) in combination with conventional slide mounts. |
| Keywords: |
| Coccoidea, pharate, type of seta, gall scale insects, Quercus |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
