Corresponding author: Stefan Schmidt (
Academic editor: H. Baur
Cheng Ko C, Shih YT, Schmidt S, Polaszek A (2015) A new species of
The ficus or fig whitefly
There are three published records of parasitoids of this species, all apparently from Florida.
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, CHINA
Natural History Museum, London, UK
National Taiwan University, Taipei, TAIWAN
A single series of reared specimens collected in September 2010 by the second author (YTS) was studied in detail for taxonomically useful morphological characters by the second and fourth (AP) authors. A single specimen reared one month later from the same host from mainland China proved to be morphologically identical. DNA was successfully sequenced from four individuals from the original sample, using the protocol described in detail by
Colour: Head yellow, antenna yellow, slightly darker towards apex. Mesosoma yellow except following light brown: pronotum, posterior margin of mesoscutum, anterior margin of scutellum, axillae and sides of propodeum. Metasoma yellow except T5 dark brown in strong contrast. Base of T1, and T4, infuscate centrally. Fore wing slightly infuscate below marginal vein. Legs yellow.
Morphology: Mandibles each with three small teeth. Stemmaticum with five robust setae and reticulate surface sculpture. Antennal formula 1,1,4,2. F1, F2, F3 approximately equal in length, with any of the three antennomeres the longest in different specimens. Pedicel with two robust setae dorsally. F4 0.9 times F1 (0.85 in holotype); F5 0.7–0.9× F1 (0.73 in HT); F6 0.8–1.0times F1 (0.9 in HT); funicle length 2.5times clava length (2.3 in HT). F1–F6 with the following numbers of multiporous plate sensilla: F1:0; F2:2; F3:2; F4:3; F5:3 F6:3. Mid lobe of mesoscutum with 4 or 5 pairs of setae, 1 lateral pair and 3–4 centrally (one central seta unpaired in holotype); side lobes with three setae. Scutellar sensilla closely placed, separated by less than the maximum width of one sensillum. Distance between posterior pair of scutellar setae 2 times distance between posterior pair (2.1 times in HT). Fore wing 2.8 times maximum width of disc (2.84 in HT). Marginal fringe 0.26 times maximum width of disc (0.25 in HT). Submarginal vein with 3 setae; marginal vein anteriorly with 7–9 setae (8+9 in HT). Basal cell with 9–15 setae (11+12 in HT). Tarsal formula 5-5-5. Mid tibial spur 0.56 times corresponding basitarsus. Mid tibia with a prominent spine-like seta apically. Metasomal tergites with the following numbers of setae: T1: 0, T2: 2, T3: 2, T4: 2, T5: 4, T6: 4, T7: 4. Ovipositor 1.2 times mid tibia; 2nd valvifers 3.8 times third valvulae (3.7 in HT).
Unknown.
Holotype female (
The close proximity of the scutellar sensilla, coupled with three setae on the submarginal vein might suggest placement of the new species in the
In the key to Chinese
It is the first recorded parasitoid of
This study was funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology (Project No. 102-2628-B-002-019-MY3 to CCK and YTS). Field work in China by AP was facilitated by a grant from the Chinese Academy of Sciences to Prof Huang Jian, Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University. We are grateful to the following for useful comments on earlier versions of the MS: John Heraty, John Huber, John Noyes, JimWoolley.