Species Eriococcus tepperi Maskell, 1892
- Eriococcus tepperi Maskell, W.M. 1892. Further coccid notes: with descriptions of new species, and remarks on coccids from New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 24: 1-64 [dated 1891] [29].
Ecological Descriptors
Sap-feeder.
ID Keys
(Gullan, P.J. & Vranjic, J.A., 1991) [26] (adult female; Australian species of Eriococcus infesting Eucalyptus species)
GENERAL
Most detailed description by Gullan, P.J. & Vranjic, J.A. 1991. The taxonomy of the gum tree scales Eriococcus confusus Maskell and E. coriaceus Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). General and Applied Entomology 23: 21–40. Some distribution and associate records may be incorrect since this species is easily confused with A. confusus and A. coriaceus (see Gullan, P.J. & Vranjic, J.A. 1991. The taxonomy of the gum tree scales Eriococcus confusus Maskell and E. coriaceus Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). General and Applied Entomology 23: 21–40).
SYSTEMATICS
Slide-mounted adult female with: enlarged setae slender to robust, often slightly curved, apices pointed, 2 sizes of setae, large size in marginal areas around body, with longest and most robust setae on posterior abdominal segments, short setae scattered sparsely on head and thorax and on all abdominal segments except absent from last (see Gullan, P.J. & Vranjic, J.A. 1991. The taxonomy of the gum tree scales Eriococcus confusus Maskell and E. coriaceus Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). General and Applied Entomology 23: 21–40).
STRUCTURE
Sac of female is dirty white or yellowish, elongated, elliptical, often aggregated in masses. Sac of male similar, but smaller. Adult female dark red or brown. First-instar nymph red, flattish, elliptical, active. Adult male is dark red, wings irridescent (see Maskell, W.M. 1892. Further coccid notes: with descriptions of new species, and remarks on coccids from New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 24: 1–64 [dated 1891]). Crushed female bodies are orange-brown and turn reddish brown in 10% KOH solution (see Gullan, P.J. & Vranjic, J.A. 1991. The taxonomy of the gum tree scales Eriococcus confusus Maskell and E. coriaceus Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). General and Applied Entomology 23: 21–40).