Review of Brazilian Eriococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) with redescription of a Neotectococcus and two Acanthococcus species and description of a new species

Abstract

The Eriococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), are known as felt scales and a family with a worldwide distribution, represented by 33 genera and 92 species in the Neotropical region. Some of these species induce galls on their host plants. The aim of this study is to review and update all the information currently known about the biodiversity of Eriococcidae in Brazil and to redescribe and illustrate Acanthococcus lanatus (Hempel), Acanthococcus campinensis (Hempel) and Neotectococcus lenticularis Hempel because Hempel’s original descriptions are very brief and he made no illustrations, and to describe a new species of Acanthococcus Signoret, Acanthococcus papaveroi González, Claps & Juárez sp. nov. A dichotomous key to the Acanthococcus species from Brazil is presented and an updated table of the Eriococcidae known from this country is included, with 34 species and 16 genera in total, each with distribution, host data and type depositories of each species.

Key words:
Acanthococcus; Key; Neotectococcus; Neotropical