Rhizococcus reynei (Schmutterer)

(Fig. 63, distribution map Fig. 93G)

Eriococcus reynei Schmutterer, 1952: 414‒417. Acanthococcus reynei (Schmutterer); Schmutterer 1980: 50. Rhizococcus tavignani Pellizzari & Kozár, 2011: 66. Rhizococcus reynei (Schmutterer); Kozár et al. 2013: 528‒532.

Field characteristics: Not noted.

Microscopic diagnosis: Slide-mounted adult female body elongate-oval. Antennae each with 7 segments. Frontal lobes present frontal tubercle absent. Eyes situated on margins. Legs well developed; meso- and metathoracic coxae without spinulae; hind coxa with translucent pores; hind femur without translucent pores; tibiae each with 5 setae (median seta present); tarsal and claw digitules knobbed apically, all slightly longer than claw; claw with a denticle near apex. Anal lobes slightly sclerotized, each with 2 enlarged setae along inner margin and 1 on outer margin; apical seta broken on all available specimens. Anal ring with pores and 8 setae. Cauda sclerotized.

Dorsum with enlarged setae spine-like, varying in size and shape, with tips relatively blunt, numbering 2 on margin of each thoracic segment, but usually with 3 on each abdominal segment. Smaller enlarged setae forming sparse transverse rows across middle parts of segments; submargin without enlarged setae. Macrotubular ducts of 2 sizes: (i) larger type on marginal area; and (ii) narrower type scattered throughout, including margins. sparse throughout. Microtubular ducts scattered throughout.

Venter with hair-like setae in median area and with a marginal row of enlarged setae and a few smaller setae present submarginally. Quinquelocular pores forming sparse bands and rows across all segments. Macrotubular ducts of 2 sizes similar to those on dorsum; larger size present along margin, smaller size present in medial and submarginal areas. Microtubular ducts sparsely present on prosomal submargins. Cruciform pores very few, scattered in a submarginal band and on middle of head.

Distribution: Rhizococcus reynei is known from 11 Palaearctic countries (García Morales et al. 2016); in Iran, it was collected from Ghazvin province (Moghaddam 2013).

Host-plants: The scale has been recorded on host-plants belonging to three genera in the families Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae (García Morales et al. 2016); in Iran, it was found on Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) (Moghaddam 2013).

Economic importance: Not known as a pest in Iran.

Natural enemies: None recorded in Iran.