Asterochiton areolatae Martin 2020, sp. n.

Asterochiton areolatae sp. n.

Figures 4 A–J.

Diagnosis. The distinctive features are the presence of 6–9 pairs of setae on the dorsal disc and 8–9 pairs of prominent setae on the submargin. Only eighth abdominal setae and eighth abdominal lateral setae may be tiny.

Puparium. (Figs. 4A, B, C, D). Oval; unpigmented; found on undersurface of leaves; widest at abdominal segments II & III; submedian area raised up; emarginated at thoracic and caudal tracheal pores. Length 1.28 mm, 5 paratypes, 1.13–1.48 mm (mean 1.27); width 0.85 mm, paratypes, 0.74–1.0 mm (mean 0.87). Caudal and thoracic tracheal pores narrowly invaginated with 2–3 teeth (Figs. 4H, I). Margin finely crenulated (Fig. 4H),11 crenulations in 0.1 mm.

Dorsum. Finely sculptured verging to linear markings marginally (Fig. 4H). Submargin about 60 µm wide. Cephalothoracic (pro-, meso- & metathoracic) and abdominal depressions weak. Abdominal segment VII median length, 38 µm, about half the median length of segment VI (Fig. 4E). Transverse moulting sutures extending into subdorsal area. Pro-mesothoracic and meso-metathoracic sutures, and abdominal segmentation prominent, reaching subdorsal area; pro-mesothoracic suture broken by depressions, weak medially. Small pores on dorsal disk and submargin. Vasiform orifice located anterior of caudal tracheal opening by two times its own length. Caudal furrow present and well defined.

Vasiform orifice (Fig. 4F). Subtriangular; length 75 µm long, paratypes, 70–87 µm (mean 78), width 58 µm, paratypes 55–60 µm (mean 57); open posteriorly; floor reticulated; operculum sub-trapezoidal, covering nearly half the length of orifice, length 38 µm, paratypes, 30–35 µm (mean 33), width 48 µm, paratypes 43–45 µm (mean 45); lingula exposed, not reaching beyond posterior margin of the vasiform orifice, terminal end slightly expanded with rounded end, length 40 µm, paratypes 37–40 µm (mean 39), two subapical setae, 16 µm, paratypes 20 µm.

Venter. Thoracic tracheal fold with stippling. Caudal tracheal fold not visible. Legs and antennae present, a tiny seta on the basal and terminal segments of legs 2 and 3 (Fig. 4J). Ventral setae 20 µm, paratypes 20–25 µm, distance apart 60 µm, paratypes 60–75 µm; near anterior margin of vasiform orifice. Adhesive sacs visible. Anterior spiracles in abdominal segment II, posterior spiracles posterolateral to vasiform orifice.

Chaetotaxy. First cephalothoracic setae 70 µm, paratypes 50–88 µm; first abdominal setae, 80 µm, paratypes 68–100 µm; eighth abdominal setae, 33 µm, paratypes 5–20 µm (mean 15), setae anteriad of vasiform orifice; 8 pairs of cephalothoracic lateral setae, cephalothoracic lateral setae 2, 6 & 8 on subdorsum, 60–90 µm, cephalothoracic lateral setae 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7, 50– 80 µm, submarginal cephalothoracic lateral 7 setae posterior to thoracic pore; abdominal lateral setae, setae 4 always on subdorsum, setae 6–7 may be on subdorsum or submarginal, setae 2, 5, 8 submarginal, 45–90 µm, abdominal lateral 4 missing from one side of Holotype, abdominal lateral setae 8 may be tiny, 5 µm. Caudal setae, 60 µm, paratypes 38–63 µm. Anterior marginal setae 10 µm, paratypes 10–13 µm; posterior marginal setae 10 µm, paratypes 10–18 µm.

Material examined. Holotype: NEW ZEALAND, AK, Puhoi, Wenderholm Regional Park, 22 August 2014, NA Martin, ex Coprosma areolata underside of leaf (NZAC02015590 slide NAM1408A).

Paratypes. 2 puparia, both parasitised, one in good condition (NZAC 02015591 slide NAM1406A), AK, Orewa, Alice Eaves Reserve, 24 June 2014, NA Martin, ex Coprosma areolata underside of leaf; 2 puparia (slide NA- M1409A), same locality, 7 September 2014, NA Martin, Coprosma areolata underside of leaf; 1 puparium (slide NAM1409B), AK, Kaukapakapa, Omeru Reserve, 28 September 2014, NA Martin, Coprosma areolata underside of leaf.

Other specimens: 3 puparia, 2 parasitised (slide NAM1907A), AK, Orewa, Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve, 7 July 2019, NA Martin, Coprosma areolata; 2 puparia, 1 parasitised (slide NAM1909A), AK, Northcote, Smiths Bush Reserve, 14 September 2019, NA Martin, Coprosma areolata.

All specimens deposited in NZAC (Auckland, New Zealand).

Host plant. The only known host plant is Coprosma areolata Cheeseman (Rubiaceae).

Distribution. The species has been found in native forest in the Auckland Region, north of the Waitemata Harbour. The host plant is found throughout the country.

Etymology. The new species is named after its host plant.

Remarks. This species has been found in four places, but always at very low densities.