Review of the East-Asian genus Reticulaphis (Aphididae: Hormaphidinae), with two new species

Abstract

Reticulaphis species (Aphididae: Hormaphidinae: Nipponaphidini) feed mainly on Ficus species as secondary hosts, and are endemic to eastern Asia. The fauna of this genus was surveyed in Taiwan, and material from East Asian countries borrowed from the Natural History Museum, London. Taxonomic problems associated with variation between samples are discussed, and as a result four subspecies of R. distylii (van der Coot) are recognized as independent species: asymmetrica Hille Ris Lambers & Takahashi, fici (Takahashi), foveolatae (Takahashi), and rotifera Hille Ris Lambers & Takahashi. R. distylii subsp. minutissima Hille Ris Lambers & Takahashi is synonymised with R. foveolatae (Takahashi); the taxonomic position of subsp. similis remains 'incertae sedis'. Two new species are described based on apterous adult females: R. inflata sp.n. from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and R. septica sp. n. from Taiwan. An illustrated key is provided to the eight recognized species, but excluding the type species, R. shiiae Takahashi that remains known only from its description. Copyright © 2008 Magnolia Press.