A NEW MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE ON KERMES VERMILIO (PLANCHON) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: KERMESIDAE)

Abstract

A NEW MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE ON KERMES VERMILIO (PLANCHON) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: KERMESIDAE).

Kermes vermilio (Planchon) is a common scale insect living on Quercus ilex L. in urban environments in Southern Italy. Morphological studies on the nymphs and prepupae showed the presence of a pair of membranous ventral frontal lobes, situated just antero-medially to each basal antennal segment. Similar lobes are only currently known in the family Eriococcidae. These structures are therefore here recorded in the Kermesidae for the first time, although it is thought probable that they are present on other species of the family. Their function is unknown.

Key words: phylogenetic relationships, Pseudococcidae, Dactylopiidae, Coccidae, Lecanodiaspididae.