- Research Article
- 10.1093/isd/ixaf048
Two extraordinary new genera and 6 new species of armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae: Xanthophthalminae and Ancepaspidinae) from Chile
- Nov 01, 2025
- Insect Systematics and Diversity
- Benjamin B Normark + 3 more +3
Abstract We describe 2 new genera and 6 new species of unusual armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) from Chile: Austraspis Normark, Normark and Amouroux, gen. n.; Aysenaspis Normark, Normark and Amouroux, gen. n.; Austraspis foye Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n.; Austraspis llanquihue Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n.; Austraspis pehuen Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n.; Austraspis relicta Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n.; Aysenaspis michay Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n.; and Anotaspis paradisi Normark, Normark and Amouroux, sp. n. Austraspis is remarkable for having abdominal segments V and VI free (not fused), with only segments VII and VIII fused to form the pygidium, and in having a proliferation of multilobulate lobes (each with 3 to 6 lobules) on the abdomen. Aysenaspis is remarkable for having all 8 abdominal segments free and in having ducts that are 8-shaped at the internal end. Phylogenetic analysis of part of 28S rRNA places the 2 new genera (Austraspis and Aysenaspis) outside of currently recognized subfamilies of Diaspididae and corroborates the placement of Anotaspis in Ancepaspidinae. We place the new genera in the heretofore monotypic taxon Xanthophthalminae Ferris, revived subfamily. We provide a revised key to the subfamilies of Diaspididae and global keys to all the species of Xanthophthalminae and Ancepaspidinae. The host plants of Austraspis are Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) and Drimys winteri (Winteraceae), which both have undergone little morphological change since the Mesozoic. Austraspis may also retain a relatively ancient morphology; its pygidial appendages are relatively undifferentiated compared to those of other diaspidids.
Read more