Contribution to the cytogenetics of Kuwaniini scale insects (Homoptera, Coccinea, Margarodidae s.l.)

Abstract

Jansenus burgeri Foldi, 1997 (Margarodidae s.l., Xylococcinae, Kuwaniini) was studied cytogenetically for the first time. It was shown that the species reproduces bisexually, displays XX/X(0) sex chromosome system and 2n=6/5 (female/male) including two pairs of long autosomes and a pair of shorter X-chromosomes in female. The chromosome complement, adult female morphology and the life cycle of J. burgeri are illustrated. The cytogenetic data are in fact the first ones for Kuwaniini scale insects, because Kuwania oligostigma De Lotto, 1959 briefly cytogenetically studied by Hughes-Schrader (1963), in my opinion, may be excluded from the genus Kuwania Cockerell, 1903 and the tribe Kuwaniini, since this species shows aberrant morphological characters, specifically the total absence of abdominal spiracles and the presence of tubular ducts.