Taxonomic and identification review of adventive fiorinia targioni tozzetti (hemiptera: coccomorpha: diaspididae) of the United States

Authors: Ahmed, Muhammad; MOORE, MATTHEW - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services; LIU, DI - Northwest A&f University; FENG, JINIAN - Northwest A&f University; NORMARK, BENJAMIN - University Of Massachusetts, Amherst; MILLER, DOUGLASS - Retired ARS Employee; McKenzie, Cindy; Rohrig, Eric

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2021
Publication Date: 10/27/2021
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Moore, M.R., Liu, D., Feng, J., Normark, B., Miller, D.R., Mckenzie, C.L., Rohrig, E.A. 2021. Taxonomic and identification review of adventive fiorinia targioni tozzetti (hemiptera: coccomorpha: diaspididae) of the United States. ZooKeys. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1065.69171.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1065.69171

Interpretive Summary: One of the main challenges in armored scales control is early detection. Fiorinia phantasma is geographically restricted in two Florida counties and is usually found on palms. The presence of its closely related species, F. fioriniae on palms complicates the detection of F. phantasma in Florida. Heavy infestations of another Fiorinia species, F. probocidaria, were recently recorded on citrus from residential areas in Florida. Regulatory efforts aimed at preventing its introduction to and establishment in commercial citrus growing areas in Florida are being implemented. In addition, there are three species, F. japonica, F. pinicola, and F. externa that are not established in Florida and 63 Fiorinia species that are not in the USA that could be introduced and could cause additional damage. These contemporary dynamics demand diagnostic tools for of Fiorinia species. We provide diagnoses of immature of males and females, DNA sequence, and extensive records of the species' distributions of seven Fiorinia species. Overall, the use of the morphological and molecular data provided here give effective methods for early detection of new infestations and assist in making regulatory and control decisions.

Technical Abstract: This work provides general descriptions, illustrations, molecular diagnostic data, taxonomic keys, slide mounting recommendations, and Florida distribution records for Fiorinia Targioni Tozzetti species occurring in the USA. Species treated are F. externa Ferris, F. fioriniae (Targioni Tozzetti), F. japonica Kuwana, F. pinicola Maskell, F. phantasma Cockerell & Robinson, F. proboscidaria Green, and F. theae Green. New descriptions of second-instar males and females of all seven species in addition to first-instar nymphs and adult females of F. phantasma and F. proboscidaria are presented. Taxonomic keys to second-instar males and females are developed for the first time and previously available taxonomic keys to first-instar nymphs and adult females are improved. DNA sequences were used to further evaluate the monophyly of Fiorinia and provide additional diagnostic tools for Fiorinia species. Multigene phylogenetic analyses, COI barcoding methods, and examination of type material indicate that F. yongxingensis Liu, Cai, and Feng is a junior synonym of F. phantasma, new synonymy. A morphological survey of the genus demonstrates, for the first time, the utility of second-instar males for diagnostics. This study will help inform regulatory and pest management decisions by facilitating morphological and molecular identification of adventive Fiorinia species occurring in the USA.