OF PSEUDOCOCCIDAE & ERIOCOCCIDAE 55 



Size 



The size generally varies a great deal, even within the species themselves. 

 Giliomee (1967), for example, showed that the host plant and the locality had a 

 considerable influence on the size of Parthenolecanium corni (Bouche). No such 

 host-determined differences have been found in P. citri, for which material from 

 several host plants and localities was available. Some genera or species within 

 certain genera are distinctly smaller than others (e.g. N. nipae is smaller than 

 N. vastator). The size, therefore, seems to be of some significance at the generic 

 and specific levels only. 



Chaetotaxy 



The presence or absence of fleshy setae on the various parts of the body was 

 found of considerable importance, operating from the level of the groups of genera 

 downwards to the species. The hairy appearance, which is generally due to the 

 presence of the fleshy setae on the body itself, separates the Pseudococcus group. 

 The complete absence of the fleshy setae also separates groups (Nairobia) or genera 

 (Centrococcus). In N. vastator the fleshy setae are absent on the legs, but in N. 

 nipae present. 



The dermal pores 



With the exception of the Nairobia group, the presence of the disc pores is a 

 distinct character separating the two families studied ; they are always present in 

 Pseudococcidae and absent in Eriococcidae. Within the former family their 

 number and distribution also presents a wide range of variation, and can be utilized 

 at most intrafamily levels. 



Head 



The general shape of the head appears to be of certain taxonomic significance at 

 family level, but some minor details also separate some genera. In Pseudococcidae 

 the head is triangular in dorsal view, whereas in most Eriococcidae it is more or 

 less rounded ; in the genus Saccharicoccus, the head is dorso-ventrally flattened 

 and the ventral preocular depression absent. The condition of the midcranial 

 ridge operates at many levels ; family Eriococcidae and some pseudococcid groups 

 (Ceroputo and Nairobia) are separated by having all the arms of the midcranial 

 ridge joined together. The degree of development of the dorsal arm separates 

 genera. The weak development of the lateral arms separates groups of genera 

 (Ceroputo and Nairobia), genera (Trionymus) and species (E. buxi). The nature 

 of the postoccipital ridge distinguishes the two studied families. The relationship 

 between this ridge and the preocular ridge separates genera and species of Pseudo- 

 coccoidae. The complete separation of the pre- and postocular ridges separates 

 the family Eriococcidae and two groups of Pseudococcidae (Ceroputo and Nairobia). 

 The dorsal reduction of the postocular ridge excludes the Saccharicoccus group. 

 The relative size of the simple eyes is a useful character separating groups of genera, 

 genera and species. The vestigial state of the lateral ocelli appear to be character- 



