A DIASPIDINE SCALE INSECT IN CONVERGENCE TO THE TRIBE LEPIDOSAPHEDINI (HOMOPTERA : COCCOIDEA : DIASPIDIDAE)

TAKAGI, S.1989.A diaspidine scale insect in convergence to the tribe Lepidosaphedini (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae).Ins.matsum.n. s. 42: 123-142, 22 figs.Tamuraspis maltoti (n.g., n. sp.), associated with Maltotus in Nepal, is described.SEM observations on the tests of the female and male are recorded.In the adult female this scale insect is very similar to some species of Dactylaspis, the subtribe Coccomytilina, the tribe Lepidosaphedini.However, the male test is of a felted nature and the second instar male possesses three pairs of enlarged modified ducts (which seem to be geminate-structured at the inner end) on the abdominal margin.This suggests that T. maltoti belongs to the tribe Diaspidini, and that the similarity of the adult female to Dactylaspis is due to convergence.The Coccomytilina as currently composed may contain diaspidines in convergence.