How to translate text using browser tools
30 June 2015 Systematic review of the Australian ‘bush coconut’ genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland
Thomas L. Semple, Penny J. Gullan, Christopher J. Hodgson, Nate B. Hardy, Lyn G. Cook
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Australia houses some unusual biota (insects included), much of which is undescribed. Cystococcus Fuller (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae) currently comprises two species, both of which induce galls exclusively on bloodwoods (Myrtaceae: Corymbia Hill & Johnson). These insects display sexual dichronism, whereby females give birth first to sons and then to daughters. Wingless first-instar females cling to their winged adult brothers and are carried out of the maternal gall when the males fly to find mates – a behaviour called intersexual phoresy. Here, we use data from two gene regions, as well as morphology and host-use of the insects, to assess the status of a previously undescribed species. We describe this newly recognised species as Cystococcus campanidorsalis, sp. nov. Semple, Cook & Hodgson, redescribe the two existing species – C. echiniformis Fuller and C. pomiformis (Froggatt), designate a lectotype for C. echiniformis, and provide the first descriptions of adult males, and nymphal males and females for the genus. We have also reinterpreted a key morphological character of the adult females. This paper provides a foundation for further work on the genus, which is widespread across northern Australia and could prove to be useful for studies on biogeography and bloodwood ecosystems.

© CSIRO 2015
Thomas L. Semple, Penny J. Gullan, Christopher J. Hodgson, Nate B. Hardy, and Lyn G. Cook "Systematic review of the Australian ‘bush coconut’ genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland," Invertebrate Systematics 29(3), 287-312, (30 June 2015). https://doi.org/10.1071/IS14061
Received: 1 December 2014; Accepted: 1 February 2015; Published: 30 June 2015
KEYWORDS
Bloodwood apple
Corymbia trachyphloia
dimorphism
eucalypt
phoresy
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top