First illustration of chromosomes and genetic system of Lecanodiaspidinae (Homoptera, Coccinea, Asterolecaniidae s.l.)

Abstract

The karyotype of Psoraleococcus multipori (Morrison, 1921) was studied for the first time, based on material from Indonesia (Sulawesi). The diploid chromosome number was found to be 18 in both males and females, but some cells contained also additional small chromosomal elements, probably B chromosomes. About 50 % of the studied embryos demonstrated paternal genome heterochromatinization of one haploid set of chromosomes (PGH) suggesting presence of a Lecanoid genetic system. The embryos with PGH are known to be always the male embryos in scale insects and so, bisexual reproduction may be presumed for P. multipori. The information provided represents the first probative cytogenetic data for the subfamily Lecanodiaspidinae Targioni Tozzetti, 1896 as a whole. A detailed morphological figure and photos of female and male embryonic cells are given. Additionally, it was discovered that the females of P. multipori exhibit complete ovoviviparity.