A classification of the scale insect genus Asterolecanium /

First record of Russellaspis pustulans (Cockerell)(Hemiptera: Asterolecaniidae) in Turkey

“…This is an interesting species that induces pits of different shapes, such as deep or shallow pits, or no pits at all, depending on its host plants. Although deep pits can be seen on stems and branches, generally no pits occur on leaves and fruits (Russell, 1941;Gullan et al, 2004).…”

“…Although pit scales have been found on a wide range of host plant species, they generally specialize on Poaceae (bamboos), Palmae (palms), and Fagacea (oaks) (Russell, 1941). Asterolecaniids are characterized by having transparent or translucent scale covers and producing a pit on the plant surface as a result of a plant defense mechanism.…”

“…The most comprehensive study was made by Russell (1941), who revised the genus Asterolecanium sensu lato with 156 species at that time. Currently, the most speciesrich genera in the family are Bambusaspis (Cockerell) (with 60 species), Asterolecanium Targioni Tozzetti (with 58 species), Palmaspis Bodenheimer (with 34 species), and Asterodiaspis Signoret (with 25 species), members of which are specialized on oaks, Fagaceae, bamboo, and palms, respectively.…”

“…White or pink wax filaments on body margin and dorsal areas; dorsal filaments generally longer than marginal ones (Russell, 1941;Stumpf, 2000). The adult females of family Asterolecaniidae are defined by the following microscopic characters: presence of figure-8-shaped pores on both/ either dorsum and/or venter, and asymmetrical tubular ducts on dorsum (Figure 1e).…”

“…Each sample was placed in a plastic bag and taken to the laboratory for examination. Specimens were prepared for light microscopy using the slide-mounted method of Kosztarab and Kozár (1988), and identified according to the key provided by Russell (1941). The asterolecaniid was found in very high densities on young branches of the infected trees.…”