Abstract

The Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), known as pit scales, are currently represented by 11 genera and 52 species in the Neotropical region, and by five species in Argentina. The goal of this study is to review and update the information currently known about the biodiversity of Asterolecaniidae in Argentina. We describe Argenta Granara de Willink new genus, Argenta eduardoi Granara de Willink new species, Mycetococcus ligae Granara de Willink new species, and Sclerosococcus williamsi Granara de Willink new species; an illustration of Pollinia pollini (Costa) is also included; the species Asterolecanium puteanum Russell and Russellaspis pustulans (Cockerell) are noted for the first time in Argentina. Dichotomous keys to the genera of Asterolecaniidae and the species of Asterolecanium Targioni-Tozzetti, Mycetococcus Ferris, and Sclerosococcus McKenzie in Argentina are presented. This work increases the number of known species in Argentina to ten.

Resumen

Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), conocidas como “pit scales” están representadas por 11 géneros y 52 especies en la región Neotropical y cinco especies en la Argentina. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar y actualizar la información conocida acerca de la biodiversidad de Asterolecaniidae en Argentina. Se describe Argenta Granara de Willink nuevo genero, Argenta eduardoi Granara de Willink nueva especie, Mycetococcus ligae Granara de Willink nueva especie y Sclerosococcus williamsi Granara de Willink nueva especie; se incluye también una ilustración de Pollinia pollini (Costa) y se cita por primera vez para el país a Asterolecanium puteanum Russell y Russellaspis pustulans (Cockerell). Se presenta una clave de los géneros de Asterolecaniidae y claves de las especies de Asterolecanium Targioni-Tozzetti, Mycetococcus Ferris y Sclerosococcus McKenzie registrados en la Argentina. Este trabajo eleva a diez el número de especies conocidas en la Argentina.

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