Coccus formicarii (Green, 1896)

(Figs 20, 21)

Lecanium formicarii Green, 1896: 10.

Diagnosis. Dorsum with setae sharply setose (Fig. 21C); tubular ducts and duct tubercles absent; preopercular pores present in an elongate group anterior to anal plates (Fig. 21D). Marginal setae spinose, with pointed apices (Figs 20C, 21B). Venter with multilocular disc-pores each usually with 7–10 loculi (Fig. 21G); tubular ducts each with a narrow inner ductule, abundant on medial area between procoxae, between mesocoxae, and around each meso- and metacoxa (Figs 20D, 21I); pregenital setae numbering 3 pairs; antenna 7 or 8 segmented (Fig. 21L); and legs without tibio-tarsal articulatory scleroses (Figs 20E, 21H) (partially adopted from Hodgson 1994).

Material examined. 25 ♀♀, LAOS, Phou Khao Khuay National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area,

Thaphabath Dist., Bolikhamsai Prov., 4.v.2015, coll. J.Y. Choi, on Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae).

Hosts. Polyphagous. According to García Morales et al. (2016), C. formicarii has been recorded from plants belonging to 44 genera in 30 families.

Distribution. Mainly known from Madagascan and Oriental Regions (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand) (García Morales et al. 2016); Laos (new country record).

Economic importance. Evans & Dooley (2013) recorded C. formicarii as a frequently intercepted species at U.S. ports and a potential threat to the U.S.A.; however, heavy infestations on its hosts have not yet been reported.

Remarks. Coccus formicarii is most similar to C. multisetus Wang & Feng, but differs from it in having 3 pairs of pregenital setae and in lacking ventral tubular ducts in submarginal areas. In contrast, C. multisetus has only 2 pairs of pregenital setae and ventral tubular ducts sparsely present in submarginal areas (Wang & Feng 2012a).