Carulaspissilvestrii Lupo (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Diaspididae): redescription and neotype designation, with a key to Carulaspis MacGillivray species.

ABSTRACT: The insect genus Carulaspis MacGillivray, associated with Pinidae and Magnoliidae, includes six species: C.juniperi, C.minima, C.visci, C.atlantica, C.taxicola and C.silvestrii. The first description of C.silvestrii lacks key morphological features that are of paramount importance for species identification. Carulaspissilvestrii type specimens also remain undiscovered, suggesting a potential loss of taxon information. This study provides a detailed redescription of C.silvestrii, including drawings, SEM images and neotype designation for taxonomic stability. For the first time, molecular characterization of C.silvestrii was made using a partial 28S ribosomal gene. In addition, a morphological key for distinguishing

SUBMITTER: Nucifora S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11868804 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature