Valid Names Results

Leucaspis podocarpi Green, 1929 (Diaspididae: Leucaspis)

Nomenclatural History

• Leucaspis podocarpi Green 1929: 385-386. Type data: NEW ZEALAND: South Island, Christchurch, on Podocarpus totarae, 02/12/1920. Lectotype, female, by subsequent designation (Willia1985c,140). Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name Illustr.
• Leucodiaspis podocarpi (Green, 1929); Lindinger 1932: 107. emendation that is unjustified Notes: Kirkaldy (1904a) considered Leucaspis Signoret 1869 preoccupied by Leucaspis Burmeister, 1835, in the Hymenoptera and suggested that the Signoret name be replaced with Leucodiaspis. Ferris (1936a) rejected this, considering it unnecessary (Morrison & Morrison, 1966).
• Aspidiotus flavus; Danzig & Pellizzari 1998: 297. incorrect synonymy
• Diaspis Candida; Danzig & Pellizzari 1998: 297. incorrect synonymy
• Leucaspis affinis; Danzig & Pellizzari 1998: 297. incorrect synonymy

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 1 | Genera: 2

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Britti1937: pp.285 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to species of Leucaspis]

Remarks

• Systematics: Members of the tribe Leucaspidini (Von Ellenrieder, 2026) Danzig & Pellizzari (1998) list Leucaspis candida Targioni Tozzetti, L. flavus Signoret and L. affini Leonardi as junior synonyms of L. podocarpi. All three of these species have long been treated as synonyms of L. pini. We have been unable to find an explanation of this change and consider it to be erroneous. The adult female of L. podocarpi differs from that of L. montikoghis by having (contrasting character states of L. montikoghis, are given in parentheses): no more than 13 disc-pores in each posterior pre-pygidial group (about 20); and three or more pairs of sclerotized pygidial lobes (two). It differs from that of L. portaeaureae by having (contrasting character states of L. portaeaureae are given in parentheses): the scale cover oyster-shaped to elongate-ovate (scale cover distinctly narrower, with sides subparallel); presence of three or more pairs of sclerotized pygidial lobes (two pairs), and smaller gland tubercles in the elongate cluster by the mouthparts (larger). The second-instar female of L. podocarpi has several abdominal macroducts on either side of each abdominal segment, whereas that of L. portaeaureae has only one dorsal duct on either side of each of abdominal segments IV, VI, VII and VIII, and two on either side of segment V (Ferris 1942; Gill 1997, Von Ellenrieder, 2026).
• Structure: Female scale ovate; larval exuviae naked and projecting anteriorly, the nymphal exuviae concealed beneath the opaque white, closely felted secretionary appendix, 2.5-3.0 mm long. Adult female broadly ovate, widest behind the median area, narrowed anteriorly, 0.5-0.75 mm long (Green, 1929). Scale cover of first-instar nymph oyster-shaped, markedly narrowed towards anterior end, with dark subterminal exuviae and narrow wax secretion bright white; second-instar nymph similar but with bright white wax secretion larger, becoming elongate-ovate and off-white when adult female develops inside sclerotized cuticle of second-instar stage. Exposed body of second-instar female pinkish white; of adult, white. (Von Ellenrieder, 2026)
• Biology: The adult female remains inside the exuviae of the second (middle) instar (Williams, 1985c).
• Economic Importance: Since heavy infestations can make the trees unsightly, L. podocarpi could potentially become a minor nuisance pest of , which are widely used as ornamental plants in California. (Von Ellenrieder, 2026)
• General Remarks: Detailed descriptions and illustrations by Green (1929) and by Williams (1985c). Photographs in Von Ellenrieder, 2026)

Illustrations

Citations