A taxonomic revision of the South African mealybug genus Octococcus Hall is presented. Most species of this genus feed on plants in the Asteraceae. Six species are treated, namely, O. barbarae, O. gullanae. and O. warniae which are described as new. The three previously described species are: Octococcus africanus (Brain), O. minor De Lotto, and O. pentziae Hall. Octococcus salsolicola (Priensner & Hosny), which was described originally as Ripersia salsolicola, is treated as a nomen dubium. Adult females of all species are described and illustrated and a key for their identification is presented. Illustrations and descriptions are also presented of first-instar nymphs of Octococcus africanus, O. minor, and O. warniae and a key for their identification is presented. Descriptions and illustrations are also given for a second-instar nymph of O. africanus and a third-instar nymph of O. warniae.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2016
Taxonomic Revision of the South African Mealybug Genus Octococcus Hall (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
D.R. Miller,
J.H. Giliomee
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
African Entomology
Vol. 24 • No. 1
March 2016
Vol. 24 • No. 1
March 2016
immatures
mealybugs
new species
Octococcus
Pseudococcidae
South Africa