Field diagnostic characters of some Rastrococcus species (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) occurring in India.
Narasimham A. U.
Author Affiliation: CAB International Institute of Biological Control, Post Box 2484, HA Farm Post, Bangalore, 560 024, India.
Oriental Insects 24 : 259-265
Abstract : Field diagnostic characters to differentiate between adults of 3 species of Rastrococcus, including R. invadens and R. mangiferae, and between immatures of R. invadens and R. mangiferae are described and illustrated. R. mangiferae was collected from mango and R. invadens from mango, pumpkin, Ficus benghalensis and F. religiosa in India. The most important field character to separate the species, the number of waxy tassels, corresponded to a key microscopic character, the number of cerarii, and hence was reliable.