Palaealeurodicus wallaceus Martin 2008, comb. nov.

(Fig. 82)

Aleurodicus wallaceus Martin, 1988: 59. Holotype puparium, Sulawesi [BMNH, examined].

DISTRIBUTION. Austro-oriental Region – Brunei, Sarawak, Sulawesi.

MATERIAL EXAMINED (all BMNH). Holotype puparium and 30 paratype puparia, Indonesia, Sulawesi Utara, Danau Mooat, near Kotamobagu, on Persea americana (Lauraceae), 23.iii.1985 (Martin); puparia & third-instar nymphs, Brunei, Belait District, Penanjong army base, on undetermined host, 03.iii.1989 (Martin); 1 puparium, East Malaysia, Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park, Long Pala base camp, on Annonaceae, 27.vi.1978 (Eastop).

COMMENTS. P. wallaceus was originally discovered feeding on an avocado tree in Sulawesi. Although avocado is a neotropical plant introduced into Asia, this whitefly is immediately recognisable as a member of the old-world group of species that were then accommodated in Aleurodicus. A single puparium was collected in Sarawak as part of the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition to Gunung Mulu (1977-1978), and the author has since also collected material in Brunei.

This species differs from P. holmesii principally in the characteristics of the marginal teeth, and may also be distinguished from the other species of Palaealeurodicus by use of the key, pp. 46, 47.