Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) associated with Ficus vallis-choudae (Moraceae) in southern Cameroon: taxonomy and biology

Abstract

Abstract: Homotoma chlamydodora Hollis & Bromfield, 1989 (Homotomidae) and Pauropsylla tatrichea Hollis, 1984 (Triozidae) are two poorly known psyllid species that develop on Ficus vallis-choudae. Based on material collected within the framework of biodiversity studies of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) associated with Ficus spp. (Moraceae) in Cameroon, the taxonomy of the two psyllid species is revised and information on the biology is provided. In particular the previously unknown immatures of both species and the male of P. tatrichea are described and illustrated here. A tubercular process on the mesocoxa of P. tatrichea, a putative autapomorphy of Pauropsylla Rübsaamen, 1899 is described here for the first time. Both species are polyvoltine with overlapping generations. Immatures of H. chlamydodora develop under the stipules whereas those of P. tatrichea induce pit galls on the leaves. Both species appear to be restricted to Ficus vallis-choudae, at least locally.