Search

A new species of Hyposoter Foerster, 1869 is discovered based on morphology of adults and cocoons, biology, and DNA barcoding evidence. It is herein described as Hyposoter distriangulum Chen, Huang & Hsu sp. nov. , which is a common parasitoid of a rare zygaenid moth Artona flavipuncta Hampson, 1900. The differences between similar Hyposoter species in Japan and Taiwan are also presented.

Rhagophthalmus giallolateralus Ho sp. nov. (Fig. 4 B, 5 D, 5 E, 5 F, 6 C, 6 D, 7 C, 7 D, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, 10 C, 10 D, 13) Type. Holotype, TAIWAN: Dongjyu, Lienchiang County, Taiwan, 1 male (bathed samples), 26 -IV- 2010, Jian-Hua Wang. (ESRI); Paratype: TAIWAN: Dongjyu, Lienchiang County, Taiwan, 2 males, 2 females, 23 -V- 2011, Hua-Te Fang. (ESRI). Holotype is deposited in ARI; four paratypes are deposited in NMNS and ESRI. Etymology. This species is named for its yellowish margin on the elytra. Giallo- means the color yellow and - lateralus means the lateral margin. Diagnosis. The enlarged flagellar segments 4���9 are similar to R. flavus which occurs in Malaysia and Thailand, but in R. flavus a lens-like sensillum adheres to each enlarged segment (Kawashima and Sat��, 2001). In Matzu Archipelago, R. beigansis and R. giallolateralus can be simply distinguished from males in the elytra, and the genitalia. The elytra of R. giallolateralus have a yellow margin which is lacking in R. beigansis. Also, there are clear differences in the number of segments of the antennae and maxillary palps, and in the relative position and shape of the female labial palps. In R. beigansis the antennae are 5 -segmented, the maxillary palps are 4 segmented, and the labial palps (Fig. 9 A, 9 B) are slender and protrude beyond the anterior margin of the head. In R. giallolateralus the antennae are 8 -segmented, the maxillary palps are 5 segmented, and the labial palps are wider and shorter, almost not reaching the anterior head margin. Male. Body mostly dark brown, dorsal surface covered with light yellow pubescence. Head and pronotum shiny. Head capsule black; compound eyes blackish, extending to upper and lower area, concave dorsally; antennae brown; mandibles dark brown; maxillae dark brown; labium dark brown to brownish; pronotum dark brown; elytra dark brown, with obvious orange-yellowish or yellowish brown on each margin; ventral surface of thorax orangeyellowish; coxae and trochanters orange-yellow, femora mainly brown to dark brown, orange-yellow at base and apex, tibiae and tarsi dark brown; abdomen dark brown to blackish, with light yellow or white markings along posterior margin of segments. Body ovoid from above, blunt at front and thinnest behind, punctuation separated in dorsal view. Head wider than long, semi-circular, widest at basal margin, but narrower than the apical and basal width of pronotum, punctures separated and surrounding antenna and mouthparts; compound eyes meniscus-like in dorsallateral view, concave basally. Antennae 12 -segmented, 1.77 mm in length; scape short and thick; pedicel, similar to scape in shape; 1 st to 3 rd flagellar segments filiform, weakly broad posteriorly with length longer than scape and pedicel; 4 th to 9 th flagellar segments slightly serrate, length and shape are almost the same, lens-like sensillum located at antero-ventral side of 9 th flagellomere; 10 th flagellomere (terminal segment) spindle shaped, slender, and tapering at its apex. Pronotum transverse, semi-circular in dorsal view, anterior margin very broadly rounded with no distinct anterolateral corners and merging into the divergent lateral margins; right angles formed at the junction of lateral and basal margin, basal margin straight or weakly wavy, the widest part of pronotum, but a little narrower than humeral width of elytra; punctation separated, spread uniformly over surface; PW/HW 1.14, PW/PL 1.51, PW/PA 1.17, PW/EW 0.68, PW/EHW 0.83. Elytra elongate, contiguous along inner margin, outer margins slightly expanded; extending to, or slightly before abdominal apex; lateral margin straight and nearly parallel-sided, width contracting over apical 1 / 7; punctation separated, pubescence uniform over surface; EL/PL 5.37, EL/EW 2.40, EW/EHW 1.24. Legs slender; femur with lateral margin straight and parallel-sided; tibia slightly conical, thicker at apex than base; tarsi 5 -segmented, each segment clavate, with 2 claws apically, empodium or arolium not distinguished; HFL/HTL 0.96. Male genitalia 0.9 mm in length, trilobed without punctation and pubescence, basal plate large, covering the basal part of aedeagus and parameres in ventral view, basal margin arcuate and protruded towards base without angle, basal 1 / 2 of lateral margins dispersed, gradually separated towards apex, then subparalleled on apical 1 / 2; aedeagus shorter than parameres, bluntly cone-like, lateral margin arcuate, gradually converging towards bluntly rounded apex, grooves not apparent over surface; parameres dipper-like, apical parts protruding towards apex ventrally and surrounding the outer side of the aedeagus; basal margin narrow, forming an incisive arcuate-shape at the basal end, the outer lateral margin straight, converging rapidly towards inner side near apex, forming right angles at marginal junction, inner side straight in dorsal view, dark bands located at basal 1 / 2. Female. Larviform, 18.52 �� 1.64 mm (range: 16.32���20.44, n= 9) in length, 2.35 �� 0.17 mm (range: 2.18���2.72, n= 9) wide at basal margin of pronotum. Body yellowish or brownish. Head small, with small compound eyes. Antennae 8 -segmented, maxillary palp 5 -segmented, labial palp 3 -segmented. Labial palps are tightly shrunk. There are two sets of luminous organs. The first set is a large luminous organ on 7 th ventral abdominal segment and the second consists of three spot-like luminous organs on most segments. Two on both body sides extending from the mesothorax to the 9 th abdominal segment, and one dorsally from the middle of the mesothorax to the 8 th abdominal segment. Measurement in mm. BL: 10.99 (holotype) (range: 10.84���11.02); HW: 2.35 (range: 2.33���2.38); PL: 1.77 (range: 1.77���1.82); PA: 2.29 (range: 2.29���2.31); PB: 2.68 (2.68���2.99); PW: 2.68 (range: 2.68���2.74); EL: 9.51 (range: 9.51���10.17); EW: 3.97 (range: 3.91���3.97); EHW: 3.21 (range: 3.21���3.30); HFL: 2.12 (range: 2.11���2.15); HTL: 2.20 (range: 2.12���2.20). Distribution. TAIWAN: Dongjyu, Matzu Archipelago, Lienchiang County. Remark. The vegetation in habitats of R. giallolateralus consists of thick grass mainly, or of forests or lofty herbs, e.g. Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.). Adults occur in February to April, females are active between 6: 30 and 8:00 at night. The behavioral display, fecundity and characteristics of the eggs are similar to Rhagophthalmus beigansis. Discussion Rhagophthalmidae species have little capacity to migrate due to the wingless form of adult females, and it would be expected that isolated populations like the two described here would diverge significantly. Two Rhagophthalmus species addressed here were found in Beigan islet and Dongjyu islet separately. These islets are less than 40 km apart, but no population of these species was found in other neighboring islands. With virtually no capacity to migrate the species are totally dependent on the existing habitat of these islets and conservation of these fragile environments is thus very important. Habitat fragmentation and human activities have already been identified as the major stress to such island populations (Atkinson, 1989; Hess, 1990). Since the populations of these two Rhagophthalmus species were distributed in a somewhat fragmentary nature across the islands, further study could evaluate the habitat fragmentation. Wittmer and Ohba (1994) discovered R. ohbai in Iriomote island. Because of its distinctive distribution, ecological habitat, and biological features, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan designated R. ohbai as an emergency conservative species. The species was then investigated in a series of related studies (Ohba, 1997). The islets of Beijan and Dongjyu, are only 6.44 and 2.64 km 2 in area. Because of the instability and vulnerability in island ecology, and the dependence of Rhagophthalmus on the existing habitat, further investigation of the two Rhagophthalmus distributed in Matzu Archipelago is necessary with the aim of protecting the fragile environment. Few investigations thus far have focused on the behavior, habitat and breeding methods of Rhagophthalmidae (Ohba et al., 1996; Ohba, 1997, 2004). Male genitalia have to date presented the most useful characteristics for identification of Rhagophthalmus species (Wittmer & Ohba, 1994; Kawashima & Sat��, 2001; Kawashima & Sugaya, 2003; Li et al., 2008). Males, being nocturnal and non-luminous are difficult to collect (Li et al., 2008). Increased awareness of the genus and its distribution and improved collection methods should hopefully address this situation., Published as part of Ho, Jen-Zon, Chen, Young-Fa, Cheng, Su-Han, Tsai, Xi-Lian & Yang, Ping-Shin, 2012, Two new species of Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae) from Matzu Archipelago, Taiwan with biological commentary, pp. 1-13 in Zootaxa 3274 on pages 9-13, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.214798, {"references":["Kawashima, I. & Sato, M. (2001) Three new species of the genus Rhagophthalmus (Coleoptera, Rhagophthalmidae) from southeast Asia. Elytra, 29 (2), 423 - 434.","Atkinson, A. (1989) Introduced animals and extinction. In: Western, D. & Pearl, M. (Eds.), Conservation for the Twenty-first Century. Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 54 - 69.","Hess, A. L. (1990) Overview: Sustainable Development and Environmental Management of Small Islands. In: Beller, W., D'Ayala, P. & Hein, P. (Eds.), Sustainable Development and Environmental Management of Small Islands. Paris, France, pp. 3 - 14.","Wittmer, W. & Ohba, N. (1994) Neue Rhagophthalmidae (Coleoptera) aus China und Benachbarten Landern. Japanese journal of entomology, 62, 341 - 350. (in Germany)","Ohba, N. (1997) Breeding of the firefly, Rhagophthalmus ohbai (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae). Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 45, 51 - 55.","Ohba, N., Goto, Y. & Kawashima, I. (1996) External morphology and behavior of Rhagophthalmus ohbai WITTMER, 1994 (Coleoptera; Rhagophthalmidae) and its habitat. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 44, 1 - 19.","Ohba, N. (2004) Flash communication systems of Japanese fireflies. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 44 (3), 225 - 233.","Kawashima, I. & Sugaya, H. (2003) An additional new species of the genus Rhagophthalmus (Coleoptera, Rhagophthalmidae) from Taiwan, with a key to males of the Taiwanese and Japanese species. Elytra, 31 (2), 353 - 359.","Li, X. Y., Ohba, N. & Liang, X. C. (2008) Two new species of Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae) from Yunnan, south-western China, with notes on known species. Entomological Science, 11, 259 - 267."]}

Rhagophthalmus beigansis Ho sp. nov. (Figs 4 A, 5 A, 5 B, 5 C, 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B, 8 A, 8 B, 9 B, 10 A, 10 B, 11, 12, 13) Type. Holotype. Male. TAIWAN: Beigan, Lienchiang County, Taiwan, 29 -IV- 2011, Jing-Han Hu. (ARI). Paratypes: TAIWAN: Beigan, Lienchiang County, Taiwan, 4 males, 4 females, 8 -V- 2011, Hua-Te Fang. (ESRI, NMNS). Etymology. This species is named after Beigan islet where it was collected. Diagnosis. This new species is similar to R. ohbai but differs in the male genitalia, the female luminous organ and the appendage of the female head. In the male genitalia of R. beigansis, the posterior basal piece is sharp and a space exists between the paramere and medial lobe; whereas in R. ohbai, the posterior basal piece is cylindrical and the paramere is almost attached to the medial lobe. The female in R. beigansis has three spot-like luminous organs, two on both sides of the body between the mesothorax and the 9 th abdominal segment and one in the middle (dorsally) between them mesothorax and the 8 th abdominal segments. This is significantly different from R. ohbai where the 9 th abdominal segment has no luminous organs (Ohba et al., 1996). In labial palps of R. beigansis also protrudes more at the position of the base attachment than in R. ohbai. Finally the number segments of the antennal and maxillary palps in R. beigansis are 5 and 4, but in R. ohbai, are 7 or 8 and 5. Male. Body mostly dark brown or black, moderately shiny, pubescence light yellow, covering almost all the dorsal surface. Head capsule black, not glossy; compound eyes blackish; antennae brown to orange-yellowish; mandibles dark brown; maxillae dark brown; labrum brownish; pronotum dark brown, darker in center of disk and paler brown towards the sides; elytra dark brown, paler brown towards the base; ventral thorax orange-yellowish or yellowish brown; coxae, trochanters, and femora of all legs orange-yellowish or yellowish brown; tibiae and tarsi brownish or dark brown; abdomen dark brown in anterior segments, then darker brown to blackish in the terminal segments, with orange-yellowish or yellowish brown posterior margins. Body spindle or oval-shaped when viewed from above, tiny punctures scattered on the dorsal side of elytra. Head longer than wide, width of posterior margin wider than the apical margin of pronotum, but slightly narrower than the basal width of pronotum, odontoid protrusions surrounding whole surface of head besides appendages, more clearly and more closely clustered around compound eyes. Antennae 12 segmented, 1.68 mm (range: 1.37���1.68) long; scape cylindrical; barrel-shaped pedicel longer than scape in length; 1 st flagellar segment longer than remaining segments, slightly clavate, broader towards the apex,; 2 nd to 4 th flagellar segments also slightly expanded towards their apices with flagellar segment 2 about half as long as 1, 3 and 4 subequal slightly shorter than 2, 5��� 8 more broadly expanded at their apices than preceding segments, approximately subequal in length and shorter than more basal segments; flagellar segment 9 weakly expanded to one side, (asymmetrically clavate) with a lens-like sensillum located at the antero-ventral side of the segment; 10 th flagellar segment very narrow in apical half. Pronotum approximately semi-circular from above, basal margin slightly less than the width across elytral humeri; apical margin protruding forwardly, broadly rounded and anterolateral corners are broadly rounded and obtuse; basal margin straight or slightly arcuate; posterolateral corners acute and pointed; separated odontoid protrudings spread all over the surface of pronotum, more densely aggregated over central disc, gradually reducing in number from center to edges; PW/HW 1.12, PW/PL 1.46, PW/PA 1.39, PW/EW 0.73, PW/EHW 0.95. Elytra elongate slightly oval in outline, inner margins contiguous along their length and outer margins very slightly convex sided; contracting in apical 1 / 3 where the elytra are narrowest, discrete punctures and pubescence over surface of elytra; EL/PL 4.96, EL/EW 2.48, EW/EHW 1.30. Legs slender, femur slightly enlarged at the middle; tibia straight, slightly thinner than femur; tarsus 5 -segmented, pretarsus with 2 claws and no empodium or arolium obvious between the claws; HFL/HTL 0.95. Male genitalia 0.95 mm long, trilobate, glabrous, with no punctures, odontoid protrusions and pubescence; basal plate large and well sclerotized, covering basal 1 / 2 of parameres when viewed from below, anterior margin blunt and round, slightly arcuate, lateral margins subparallel, with a broad straight vertical groove formed at the center of the apex; aedeagus subequal to parameres in length, tapering to a rounded apex; parameres with strongly developed apices inturning but not reaching to the aedeagus; clear dark banks at basal 1 / 3. Basal plate of male genitalia large and roughly straight in each margin, is a critical characteristic on identify. Female. Larviform, 17.26 �� 2.97 mm (range: 10.48���23.41, n= 27) in length, 2.05 �� 0.30 mm (range: 1.44���2.97, n= 27) wide across basal margin of pronotum. Body color yellowish or brownish. Head small, with small compound eyes. Antennae 5 segmented, maxillary palp 4 segmented, labial palp 3 segmented. Labial palps are protruding beyond the anterior head margin. There are two sets of luminous organs in female. The first set is a large luminous organ on 7 th ventral abdominal segment and the second has three spot-like luminous organs on most segments. Each segment has three small spot-like luminous organs, two on both body sides from mesothorax to 9 th abdominal segments and one on dorsal middle from mesothorax to 8 th abdominal segments. Measurement in mm. BL: 8.86 (holotype)(range: 8.34���11.72); HW: 2.11 (range: 2.06���2.13); PL: 1.62 (range: 1.57���1.64); PA: 1.70 (range: 1.69���1.70); PB: 2.37 (2.37 ��� 2.37); PW: 2.37 (range: 1.2���2.69); EL: 8.04 (range: 8.00��� 8.11); EW: 3.24 (range: 3.20���3.25); EHW: 2.49 (range: 2.41���2.49); HFL: 1.81 (range: 1.79���1.86); HTL: 1.91 (range: 1.88���1.93). Distribution. TAIWAN: Beigan, Matzu Archipelago, Lienchiang County. Remarks. Individuals of R. beigansis are nocturnal throughout their life cycle. The vegetation within the habitat is either thick grass or forest. Larvae prey on millipedes observed in the laboratory. Adults appeared in April to May, with the female displaying the luminous behavior between 7:00 to 8: 30 p. m. (Fig. 10). After mating, the female laid 101.4 �� 26.26 eggs (range: 68���151, n= 10) that were 0.8���1.1mm in size, oval-shaped and yellow-white in color. In addition, eggs were attended (Fig. 11)., Published as part of Ho, Jen-Zon, Chen, Young-Fa, Cheng, Su-Han, Tsai, Xi-Lian & Yang, Ping-Shin, 2012, Two new species of Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae) from Matzu Archipelago, Taiwan with biological commentary, pp. 1-13 in Zootaxa 3274 on pages 4-9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.214798, {"references":["Ohba, N., Goto, Y. & Kawashima, I. (1996) External morphology and behavior of Rhagophthalmus ohbai WITTMER, 1994 (Coleoptera; Rhagophthalmidae) and its habitat. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 44, 1 - 19."]}

Two new species of Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky, R. beigansis Ho sp. nov. and R. giallolateralus Ho sp. nov. collected in a vulnerable environment in two small islets of Matzu Archipelago, Lienchiang County are described and illustrated. This brings the total number of species in this genus to 35, and the number known from small off shore islets and islands to 10. Their importance to the conservation of such small and fragile island habitats is discussed.

Singhiella melanolepis Chen & Ko sp. nov. (Figs 1���36) PUPARIUM (Figs 1���11). Found in groups on the undersurface of leaves. Pale to yellowish, but generally colourless when slide��mounted. Most pupae without, or with only a little, waxy secretion. Pupal case average 1.35 mm long, 1.05 mm wide, elongate to ovoid, broadest at first abdominal segment. Margin more or less smooth, or with faint crenulations marked by short radiating ridges, about 24 ridges per 100 ��m. Ends of thoracic and caudal tracheal folds not evident and marked by short smooth areas in margin (Fig. 2). Dorsum. More��or��less flat, with raised rachis or other ridges, usually on cephalothorax and dorsal disc, abdominal tergites I���VII without median tubercle but subdorsal tubercles on cephalothorax and on each side of tergites III���VI. Sculpturing of fine papillae and inscriptions, in subdorsal areas arranged in less radiating rows of papillae; sculpturing sometimes highly reduced. Longitudinal moulting suture more or less straight, reaching margin. Transverse moulting suture reaching a point just above or slightly beyond lateral margins of hind legs; ends of suture with distinct raised areas or clusters of papillae, slightly posterior relative to middle of suture. Eighth abdominal segment subequal to seventh in length. Disc pores and associated porettes scattered over dorsum; each pore/porette pair not close together, pores uniformly mounted on tubercles or papillae but porette not. Setae. Marginal setae pointed, on anterior and posterior margins, anterior pair 0.02 mm long, posterior pair 0.045 mm long. Twelve pairs of submarginal setae (Figs 2, 8) of nearly uniform length, 0.05 mm; sixth submarginal setae usually in line with other submarginal setae and not inset medially to nearly above middle leg; twelfth pair of submarginal setae not inset on caudal ridges. Cephalic setae 0.025 mm long, distinctly forward of mouthparts. First abdominal setae present. Eighth abdominal setae laterad of vasiform orifice, more or less in line with anterior margin. Caudal setae slightly anterior to margin, 0.5 mm long. Vasiform orifice (Figs 5, 10). More or less trapezoidal to almost circular, 0.06 mm long and 0.055 mm wide, middle of posterior margin not broken, often with loose tile��like structures in notched area; inner margin often with faint ridges radiating into orifice; operculum equal in size to vasiform orifice and similar in shape, nearly filling orifice, usually without posterior part distinctly narrowed; lingula exposed, without setae, almost included, except a small part of posterior end exposed outside. Caudal furrow (Figs 5, 10). With a larger tile��like structure, 0.225 mm long, less wide than vasiform orifice anteriorly, abruptly narrowed posteriorly, reaching margin; furrow lined with large granules in more or less transverse rows on wide part, more scattered on narrow part. Caudal ridges apparently slightly raised above adjacent derm, especially posteriorly. Area lateral to vasiform orifice and caudal furrow without spinules. Ventral surface (Figs 4, 7, 9, 11). Thoracic and caudal tracheal folds usually distinguishable but entirely smooth; caudal fold with a few short rows of minute spinules extending about half way to margin from vasiform orifice. Ventral setae finely pointed, posterior pair just anterior to vasiform orifice. One small, fine seta mesad of each leg, normally 2 minute setae on or near basal curve of each leg, often difficult to see. Legs curved laterally, front and middle legs on each side closely apprised; posterolateral margin of front legs and lateral margins of middle and hind legs without spinules. Antenna located just mesad of front leg, 0.07 mm, terminal process 7.5 ��m, lacking spinules at base, with a minute seta basally. Rostrum short, conical. Four pairs of spiracles present, 2 near posterior part of front and middle legs, one just beyond hind legs on anterior abdomen and one just laterad of vasiform orifice. ADULT MALE (Figs 12 ���18, 28, 32���34). Yellowish to brown when alive, with a light dusting of wax. Middle and distal end of forewing with four dusky spots. Yellowish when mounted, except extreme tip of rostrum and thorax brown. Average body length 1.5 mm (included claspers). Essentially entire body covered with minute setae. Head. With scattered minute setae with short cylindrical bases. Width across eyes 0.3 mm. Rostral IV 0.125 mm measured along longest edge, with 15���20 setae. Antennae (Figs 12, 28). Inserted in median indentation of compound eyes; segment I less than half as long as II; segment II with several scattered setae of various sizes; segment III 0.125 mm, with 2 primary sensoria apically, one about its width basad of other, one bidirectional sensorial cone more basad 0.045 mm; segment IV 0.02 mm; V 0.045 mm, with one primary sensorium apically; VI 0.03 mm, with one bidirectional sensorial cone near middle, about as long as sensorial cone on segment III; VII 0.0325 mm, with one primary sensorium a little beyond middle of segment and one sensorial cone 0.015 mm in basal third of segment, apical spine 0.02 mm; apparent annulations of antenna composed of very close��set setulae. Compound eyes (Figs 13, 32). Constricted laterally, dorsal and ventral parts connected by 2 facets; ventral facets about 50 % larger than dorsal facets. Lateral ocelli abut dorsal margin of compound eyes, about twice as wide as dorsal eye facets. Thorax. Sclerotized plates typical for aleyrodine adults. Wings with a patch of maculation in middle and near distal end. Legs. Coxa 1, 0.145 mm; femur 1, 0.2 mm, femur 2, 0.2 mm, femur 3, 0.263 mm, including dorsal tooth��like projection at extreme apices, femur 3 with 3 strong subapical spines dorsally; tibia 1, 0.263 mm, with about 45 setae and no tibial brushes, tibia 2 (Fig. 14), 0.3 mm with 1 tibial brush with 2 setae and sometimes a third seta close but slightly basad, tibia 3 (Fig. 15), 0.385 mm with about 12 setae in tibial comb, without tibial brush, and with a distinct nonsetose area basad of apical spines; tarsal segment I with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.105 mm with 6���8 setae, 0.105 mm with 8���10 setae, 0.12 mm with 7���9 setae; tarsal segments II with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.0875 mm with 7���8 setae, 0.08 mm with 4 setae, 0.0875 mm with 4 or 5 setae; hind tarsal claw 0.0375 mm. Abdomen. Ventral surface with 4 pairs of wax plates on segments II���V (Fig. 17), length/width of plate on segment II = 0.08 mm / 0.12 mm, III = 0.0575 mm / 0.13 mm, IV = 0.0575 mm / 0.125 mm, V = 0.053 mm / 0.10 mm. Each wax plate with 2 pairs of setae inward but 1 pair outward. Genital capsule (Fig. 18). 0.113 mm long and 0.165 mm wide. Vasiform orifice (Fig. 18). Oval, wider than long, lingula 0.002 mm; capsule with 5���6 pairs of dorsal setae, lateralmost setae distinctly thinner and shorter than more medial pairs, most medial pair thinner than thick middle pair. Clasper (Figs 18, 33��� 34). 0.1 mm, with five pairs of dorsal setae, and four and three pairs of setae present on inner and outer surfaces respectively, small rounded tooth on medial surface subapically. Aedeagus 0.1 mm, curved up apically and forked at end. ADULT FEMALE (Figs 19 ���27, 29, 35���36). Colour as in male. Body length 2 mm. Head. Width across eyes 0.4 mm. Antennae. (Figs 19, 29). Inserted in median indentation of compound eyes; segment I less than half as long as II, segment II with several scattered setae of various sizes; III 0.138 mm, with 2 primary sensoria apically, one just distad of other and one bidirectional sensorial cone more basad 0.06 mm; IV 0.025 mm; V 0.043 mm, with one primary sensorium apically; VI 0.045 mm, with one bidirectional sensorial cone near middle, about as long as sensorial cone on segment III; VII 0.04 mm, with one primary sensorium a little beyond middle of segment and one sensorial cone 0.05 mm on basal third of segment, apical spine 0.015 mm. Rostral IV 0.135 mm measured along longest edge, with 15���20 setae. Compound eyes (Fig. 20). Constricted laterally, dorsal and ventral parts connected by 2 facets. Legs. Coxa 1, 0.163 mm; femur 1, 0.25 mm, femur 2, 0.24 mm, femur 3, 0.30 mm with a strong subapical spine dorsally; tibia 1, 0.14 mm, tibia 2 (Fig. 21), 0.16 mm, tibia 3 (Fig. 22), 0.22 mm with about 16 setae in tibial comb and with a brush with 3 setae; tarsal segment I with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.11 mm with 10 setae and a strong subapical spur, 0.1 mm with 8���9 setae, 0.125 mm with 6 setae; tarsal segment II with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.10 mm with 7 or 8 setae, 0.09 mm with 7 setae, 0.10 mm with 4 setae; hind tarsal claws 0.025 mm, paronychium 0.04 mm. Abdomen. Ventral surface with 2 pairs of wax plates (Fig. 24) on segments II and III, length/width of plate on segment II = 10.118 mm / 0.175 mm, III = 0.113 mm / 0.180 mm. Each wax plate with 2 inner but 1 outer pairs of setae. Vasiform orifice (Fig. 25). With lingula 0.03 mm. Genitalia (Figs 26 ���27, 35��� 36). With lateral ovipositor 0.095 mm, measured as shown in Fig. 26, with 4 setae; middle ovipositor 74���84 mm, with 2 setae. The cement gland slightly segmented (Fig. 27). Material examined. Holotype puparium, TAIWAN, Chiao��chi, on Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Euphorbiaceae), 22 ��III�� 2006, C. H. Chen and Y. T. Shih (TW 2961) (NTU). Paratypes: 26 pupal cases, 7 males, 8 females, same data as for holotype (ANIC; BMNH; EMNAFU; IDAV; NTU; TARI; USNM; ZSI). Etymology. The species name melanolepis is derived from the host plant genus. Biology. This species has been collected only once, and is of no known economic importance. No ant attendance was observed, but mixed populations of Aleurodicus dispersus Russell were observed on the lower leaf surfaces. Based on the distribution of Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Euphorbiaceae), this whitefly species is likely to have a wider distribution. It is a perennial shrub widely distributed in the South Pacific Islands from Indonesia to eastern Polynesia, also in China, Taiwan, and Japan. It grows mainly in secondary places such as roadsides, regrowth thickets, depleted open secondary forest, forest edges in savannah, coconut plantations, old gardens, but also in primary forest, (Barringtonia) swamp forest, Eucalyptus deglupta dominated forest, monsoon (deciduous) forest, and among mangroves. Comments and discussion. In Taiwan, nine species are currently included in Singhiella: S. chitinosa (Takahashi), S. dioscoreae (Takahashi), S. elaeagni (Takahashi), S. kuraruensis (Takahashi), S. melanolepis sp. nov., S. piperis (Takahashi), S. subrotunda (Takahashi), S. tetrastigmae (Takahashi) and S. vanieriae (Takahashi). S. melanolepis is similar to S. elaeagni but differs as follows: 1. All setae on the dorsal disc and all submarginal setae are capitate in S. elaeagni but spiny in S. melanolepis; 2. There are 14 pairs of submarginal setae (excluding caudal setae) in S. elaeagni but only 12 pairs in S. melanolepis; 3. Thoracic tracheal pores are distinct in S. elaeagni, with 2 or 3 small teeth, but there are no distinct pores in S. melanolepis; 4. The vasiform orifice of S. elaeagni is wider than long and the end of the caudal furrow is widely open, with 2 or 3 very short rounded teeth, but such characteristics are not present in S. melanolepis. Following the redefinition of Singhiella by Jensen (2001), there are now 28 species in the genus. However, Singhiella is less clearly defined than Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes, with considerable variation in the puparia between species (see Table 2), including the opening of the thoracic tracheal pores, the number and shape of the submarginal setae, and the location of the most posterior pair of submarginal setae. Jensen (2001) described the adult characteristics of only one Singhiella species, S. citrifolli. In contrast, we have studied the adults of several species in this genus from Taiwan, and these show considerable variation in several characters. Antennal sensoria: We compared the adults of five species of Dialeurodes, five species of Massilieurodes and five species of Singhiella. The antennal segments of the Dialeurodes species bore complex sensorial plaques (Fig. 37), whereas those of the Massilieurode s species bore simple sensorial cones (Fig. 38). However, in different Singhiella species two types of sensorial cones (bidirectional and simple sensorial cones) were found on antennal segments III and VI (Figs 39���44). Compound eye pigmentation patterns: In species of Dialeurodes and Massilieurode s, we could not find pigmentation in the lower facets of the compound eyes, but in Singhiella we found pigmentation in two species, S. kuraruensis (Fig. 45) and S. piperis (Fig. 46). Male genitalia: In species of Dialeurodes and Massilieurode s, we did not observe any bifurcation in the aedeagus apex, but in Singhiella we found four types of aedeagus apex: S. kuraruensis (Fig. 47), S. melanolepis (Figs 33���34), S. piperis (Fig. 48), and S. tetrastigmae (Fig. 49). This variation might suggest that the genus Singhiella is currently unsatisfactorily defined. Table 2. Characteristics of Singhiella species from Taiwan. Species Colour Thoracic Tile��like Pairs of s.m. setae Tips of Posteriormost tracheal structures (excluding cau�� submarginal s.m. setae pores dal setae) setae 6. S. piperis yellow to brown present present 10 spiny submargin 7. S. subrotunda yellowish absent present 12 spiny submargin but small 8. S. tetrastigmae yellowish present present 15 capitate caudal ridges 9. S. vanieriae pale present present 12 capitate submargin The classification of whiteflies is based primarily on an immature stage, the puparium (Gill 1990), and adults are usually considered to be morphologically uniform (Bink��Moenen 1991). However, there are several examples of adult characters differing between species, and thus being useful for identification. David & Thenmozhi (1995) provided a comparison table of the clasper setation for four Lipaleyrodes species. Guimar��es (1996) described lateral ovipositor and cement gland structure of seven species (Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), Aleyrodes proletella Linnaeus, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana), Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)) but omitted other useful adult morphological characters. Similarly, Calvert et al. (2001) described the length ratios of antennal segments and the position of antennal sensoria for five species belonging to Bemisia, Rhachisphora and Aleurotrachelus. Moreover, the generic definitions of Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes are well supported by the cladistic analysis of Jensen (2001), but Singhiella is much less well supported. Our observations on adult morphology, such as the antennal sensoria and male genitalia, support the genera Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes, but the diversity among the species assigned to Singhiella does not support the suggestion that they belong to the same genus. After extensive study of whitefly specimens, we have found additional adult characters that could be used to define species. For example, the three related Dialeurodes species, D. agalmae, D. citri and D. daphniphylli, have very similar puparia but the adults differ in the numbers of antennal sensorial plaques, the numbers of ommatidia between upper and lower halves of the compound eyes, the shapes of abdominal wax plates, also the vasiform orifice, claspers, cement glands and lateral view of aedeagus, even the chaetotaxy of male and female genitalia and the chaetotaxy of mesotibia and metatibia. More importance needs to be placed on these adult character states in considering the systematic relationships between whitefly species than has been done hitherto, and adult morphological characteristics need to be taken into consideration in studies on whitefly taxonomy., Published as part of Chen, Young-Fa & Ko, Chiun-Cheng, 2007, Singhiella melanolepis, a new species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from Taiwan with remarks on the genus Singhiella Sampson, pp. 1-16 in Zootaxa 1390 on pages 3-12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.175204, {"references":["Jensen, A. S. (2001) A cladistic analysis of Dialeurodes, Massilieurodes and Singhiella, with notes and keys to the Nearctic species and description of four new Massilieurodes species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Systematic Entomology, 26, 279 - 310.","Gill, R. J. (1990) The morphology of whiteflies. In: D. Gerling (Ed.) Whiteflies: Their Bionomics, Pest Status and Management. Andover, UK: Intercept, pp. 13 - 46.","Bink-Moenen, R. M. (1991) Comparisons between Neopealius rubi and Bemisia tabaci in Europe (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Entomologische berichten. AMST, 51, 30 - 37.","David, B. V. & Thenmozhi, K. (1995) On the characteristics of pupal case, adult and egg of Indian species of Lipaleyrodes Takahashi (Aleyrodidae: Homoptera) with description of a new species. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 92, 339 - 349.","Guimaraes, J. M. (1996) The diagnostic value of the cement gland and other abdominal structures in aleyrodid taxonomy. Bulletin OPPE / EPPO Bulletin, 26, 413 - 419.","Calvert, L. A., Cuervo, M., Arroyava, J. A., ConstNatino, L. M., Bellotti, A. & Frochlich, D. (2001) Morphological and mitochondrial DNA marker analyses of whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) colonizing cassava and beans in Colombia. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 94, 512 - 519."]}

The adult male, female and puparium of Singhiella melanolepis sp. nov. are described from Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Euphorbiaceae), together with scanning electron micrographs and figures. Comparisons are made between the puparium of this species and that of Singhiella elaeagni (Takahashi 1935), and remarks are provided on the genus Singhiella Sampson. After consideration of the diversity in adult structure among the species of Singhiella, it is suggested that this genus may be defined unsatisfactorily, and that more importance should be placed on adult morphology in whitefly taxonomy.

Singhiella melanolepis Chen & Ko sp. nov. (Figs 1–36) PUPARIUM (Figs 1–11). Found in groups on the undersurface of leaves. Pale to yellowish, but generally colourless when slide­mounted. Most pupae without, or with only a little, waxy secretion. Pupal case average 1.35 mm long, 1.05 mm wide, elongate to ovoid, broadest at first abdominal segment. Margin more or less smooth, or with faint crenulations marked by short radiating ridges, about 24 ridges per 100 μm. Ends of thoracic and caudal tracheal folds not evident and marked by short smooth areas in margin (Fig. 2). Dorsum. More­or­less flat, with raised rachis or other ridges, usually on cephalothorax and dorsal disc, abdominal tergites I–VII without median tubercle but subdorsal tubercles on cephalothorax and on each side of tergites III–VI. Sculpturing of fine papillae and inscriptions, in subdorsal areas arranged in less radiating rows of papillae; sculpturing sometimes highly reduced. Longitudinal moulting suture more or less straight, reaching margin. Transverse moulting suture reaching a point just above or slightly beyond lateral margins of hind legs; ends of suture with distinct raised areas or clusters of papillae, slightly posterior relative to middle of suture. Eighth abdominal segment subequal to seventh in length. Disc pores and associated porettes scattered over dorsum; each pore/porette pair not close together, pores uniformly mounted on tubercles or papillae but porette not. Setae. Marginal setae pointed, on anterior and posterior margins, anterior pair 0.02 mm long, posterior pair 0.045 mm long. Twelve pairs of submarginal setae (Figs 2, 8) of nearly uniform length, 0.05 mm; sixth submarginal setae usually in line with other submarginal setae and not inset medially to nearly above middle leg; twelfth pair of submarginal setae not inset on caudal ridges. Cephalic setae 0.025 mm long, distinctly forward of mouthparts. First abdominal setae present. Eighth abdominal setae laterad of vasiform orifice, more or less in line with anterior margin. Caudal setae slightly anterior to margin, 0.5 mm long. Vasiform orifice (Figs 5, 10). More or less trapezoidal to almost circular, 0.06 mm long and 0.055 mm wide, middle of posterior margin not broken, often with loose tile­like structures in notched area; inner margin often with faint ridges radiating into orifice; operculum equal in size to vasiform orifice and similar in shape, nearly filling orifice, usually without posterior part distinctly narrowed; lingula exposed, without setae, almost included, except a small part of posterior end exposed outside. Caudal furrow (Figs 5, 10). With a larger tile­like structure, 0.225 mm long, less wide than vasiform orifice anteriorly, abruptly narrowed posteriorly, reaching margin; furrow lined with large granules in more or less transverse rows on wide part, more scattered on narrow part. Caudal ridges apparently slightly raised above adjacent derm, especially posteriorly. Area lateral to vasiform orifice and caudal furrow without spinules. Ventral surface (Figs 4, 7, 9, 11). Thoracic and caudal tracheal folds usually distinguishable but entirely smooth; caudal fold with a few short rows of minute spinules extending about half way to margin from vasiform orifice. Ventral setae finely pointed, posterior pair just anterior to vasiform orifice. One small, fine seta mesad of each leg, normally 2 minute setae on or near basal curve of each leg, often difficult to see. Legs curved laterally, front and middle legs on each side closely apprised; posterolateral margin of front legs and lateral margins of middle and hind legs without spinules. Antenna located just mesad of front leg, 0.07 mm, terminal process 7.5 μm, lacking spinules at base, with a minute seta basally. Rostrum short, conical. Four pairs of spiracles present, 2 near posterior part of front and middle legs, one just beyond hind legs on anterior abdomen and one just laterad of vasiform orifice. ADULT MALE (Figs 12 –18, 28, 32–34). Yellowish to brown when alive, with a light dusting of wax. Middle and distal end of forewing with four dusky spots. Yellowish when mounted, except extreme tip of rostrum and thorax brown. Average body length 1.5 mm (included claspers). Essentially entire body covered with minute setae. Head. With scattered minute setae with short cylindrical bases. Width across eyes 0.3 mm. Rostral IV 0.125 mm measured along longest edge, with 15–20 setae. Antennae (Figs 12, 28). Inserted in median indentation of compound eyes; segment I less than half as long as II; segment II with several scattered setae of various sizes; segment III 0.125 mm, with 2 primary sensoria apically, one about its width basad of other, one bidirectional sensorial cone more basad 0.045 mm; segment IV 0.02 mm; V 0.045 mm, with one primary sensorium apically; VI 0.03 mm, with one bidirectional sensorial cone near middle, about as long as sensorial cone on segment III; VII 0.0325 mm, with one primary sensorium a little beyond middle of segment and one sensorial cone 0.015 mm in basal third of segment, apical spine 0.02 mm; apparent annulations of antenna composed of very close­set setulae. Compound eyes (Figs 13, 32). Constricted laterally, dorsal and ventral parts connected by 2 facets; ventral facets about 50 % larger than dorsal facets. Lateral ocelli abut dorsal margin of compound eyes, about twice as wide as dorsal eye facets. Thorax. Sclerotized plates typical for aleyrodine adults. Wings with a patch of maculation in middle and near distal end. Legs. Coxa 1, 0.145 mm; femur 1, 0.2 mm, femur 2, 0.2 mm, femur 3, 0.263 mm, including dorsal tooth­like projection at extreme apices, femur 3 with 3 strong subapical spines dorsally; tibia 1, 0.263 mm, with about 45 setae and no tibial brushes, tibia 2 (Fig. 14), 0.3 mm with 1 tibial brush with 2 setae and sometimes a third seta close but slightly basad, tibia 3 (Fig. 15), 0.385 mm with about 12 setae in tibial comb, without tibial brush, and with a distinct nonsetose area basad of apical spines; tarsal segment I with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.105 mm with 6–8 setae, 0.105 mm with 8–10 setae, 0.12 mm with 7–9 setae; tarsal segments II with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.0875 mm with 7–8 setae, 0.08 mm with 4 setae, 0.0875 mm with 4 or 5 setae; hind tarsal claw 0.0375 mm. Abdomen. Ventral surface with 4 pairs of wax plates on segments II–V (Fig. 17), length/width of plate on segment II = 0.08 mm / 0.12 mm, III = 0.0575 mm / 0.13 mm, IV = 0.0575 mm / 0.125 mm, V = 0.053 mm / 0.10 mm. Each wax plate with 2 pairs of setae inward but 1 pair outward. Genital capsule (Fig. 18). 0.113 mm long and 0.165 mm wide. Vasiform orifice (Fig. 18). Oval, wider than long, lingula 0.002 mm; capsule with 5–6 pairs of dorsal setae, lateralmost setae distinctly thinner and shorter than more medial pairs, most medial pair thinner than thick middle pair. Clasper (Figs 18, 33– 34). 0.1 mm, with five pairs of dorsal setae, and four and three pairs of setae present on inner and outer surfaces respectively, small rounded tooth on medial surface subapically. Aedeagus 0.1 mm, curved up apically and forked at end. ADULT FEMALE (Figs 19 –27, 29, 35–36). Colour as in male. Body length 2 mm. Head. Width across eyes 0.4 mm. Antennae. (Figs 19, 29). Inserted in median indentation of compound eyes; segment I less than half as long as II, segment II with several scattered setae of various sizes; III 0.138 mm, with 2 primary sensoria apically, one just distad of other and one bidirectional sensorial cone more basad 0.06 mm; IV 0.025 mm; V 0.043 mm, with one primary sensorium apically; VI 0.045 mm, with one bidirectional sensorial cone near middle, about as long as sensorial cone on segment III; VII 0.04 mm, with one primary sensorium a little beyond middle of segment and one sensorial cone 0.05 mm on basal third of segment, apical spine 0.015 mm. Rostral IV 0.135 mm measured along longest edge, with 15–20 setae. Compound eyes (Fig. 20). Constricted laterally, dorsal and ventral parts connected by 2 facets. Legs. Coxa 1, 0.163 mm; femur 1, 0.25 mm, femur 2, 0.24 mm, femur 3, 0.30 mm with a strong subapical spine dorsally; tibia 1, 0.14 mm, tibia 2 (Fig. 21), 0.16 mm, tibia 3 (Fig. 22), 0.22 mm with about 16 setae in tibial comb and with a brush with 3 setae; tarsal segment I with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.11 mm with 10 setae and a strong subapical spur, 0.1 mm with 8–9 setae, 0.125 mm with 6 setae; tarsal segment II with following lengths and setae (tarsi 1, 2, 3): 0.10 mm with 7 or 8 setae, 0.09 mm with 7 setae, 0.10 mm with 4 setae; hind tarsal claws 0.025 mm, paronychium 0.04 mm. Abdomen. Ventral surface with 2 pairs of wax plates (Fig. 24) on segments II and III, length/width of plate on segment II = 10.118 mm / 0.175 mm, III = 0.113 mm / 0.180 mm. Each wax plate with 2 inner but 1 outer pairs of setae. Vasiform orifice (Fig. 25). With lingula 0.03 mm. Genitalia (Figs 26 –27, 35– 36). With lateral ovipositor 0.095 mm, measured as shown in Fig. 26, with 4 setae; middle ovipositor 74–84 mm, with 2 setae. The cement gland slightly segmented (Fig. 27). Material examined. Holotype puparium, TAIWAN, Chiao­chi, on Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Euphorbiaceae), 22 ­III­ 2006, C. H. Chen and Y. T. Shih (TW 2961) (NTU). Paratypes: 26 pupal cases, 7 males, 8 females, same data as for holotype (ANIC; BMNH; EMNAFU; IDAV; NTU; TARI; USNM; ZSI). Etymology. The species name melanolepis is derived from the host plant genus. Biology. This species has been collected only once, and is of no known economic importance. No ant attendance was observed, but mixed populations of Aleurodicus dispersus Russell were observed on the lower leaf surfaces. Based on the distribution of Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Euphorbiaceae), this whitefly species is likely to have a wider distribution. It is a perennial shrub widely distributed in the South Pacific Islands from Indonesia to eastern Polynesia, also in China, Taiwan, and Japan. It grows mainly in secondary places such as roadsides, regrowth thickets, depleted open secondary forest, forest edges in savannah, coconut plantations, old gardens, but also in primary forest, (Barringtonia) swamp forest, Eucalyptus deglupta dominated forest, monsoon (deciduous) forest, and among mangroves. Comments and discussion. In Taiwan, nine species are currently included in Singhiella: S. chitinosa (Takahashi), S. dioscoreae (Takahashi), S. elaeagni (Takahashi), S. kuraruensis (Takahashi), S. melanolepis sp. nov., S. piperis (Takahashi), S. subrotunda (Takahashi), S. tetrastigmae (Takahashi) and S. vanieriae (Takahashi). S. melanolepis is similar to S. elaeagni but differs as follows: 1. All setae on the dorsal disc and all submarginal setae are capitate in S. elaeagni but spiny in S. melanolepis; 2. There are 14 pairs of submarginal setae (excluding caudal setae) in S. elaeagni but only 12 pairs in S. melanolepis; 3. Thoracic tracheal pores are distinct in S. elaeagni, with 2 or 3 small teeth, but there are no distinct pores in S. melanolepis; 4. The vasiform orifice of S. elaeagni is wider than long and the end of the caudal furrow is widely open, with 2 or 3 very short rounded teeth, but such characteristics are not present in S. melanolepis. Following the redefinition of Singhiella by Jensen (2001), there are now 28 species in the genus. However, Singhiella is less clearly defined than Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes, with considerable variation in the puparia between species (see Table 2), including the opening of the thoracic tracheal pores, the number and shape of the submarginal setae, and the location of the most posterior pair of submarginal setae. Jensen (2001) described the adult characteristics of only one Singhiella species, S. citrifolli. In contrast, we have studied the adults of several species in this genus from Taiwan, and these show considerable variation in several characters. Antennal sensoria: We compared the adults of five species of Dialeurodes, five species of Massilieurodes and five species of Singhiella. The antennal segments of the Dialeurodes species bore complex sensorial plaques (Fig. 37), whereas those of the Massilieurode s species bore simple sensorial cones (Fig. 38). However, in different Singhiella species two types of sensorial cones (bidirectional and simple sensorial cones) were found on antennal segments III and VI (Figs 39–44). Compound eye pigmentation patterns: In species of Dialeurodes and Massilieurode s, we could not find pigmentation in the lower facets of the compound eyes, but in Singhiella we found pigmentation in two species, S. kuraruensis (Fig. 45) and S. piperis (Fig. 46). Male genitalia: In species of Dialeurodes and Massilieurode s, we did not observe any bifurcation in the aedeagus apex, but in Singhiella we found four types of aedeagus apex: S. kuraruensis (Fig. 47), S. melanolepis (Figs 33–34), S. piperis (Fig. 48), and S. tetrastigmae (Fig. 49). This variation might suggest that the genus Singhiella is currently unsatisfactorily defined. Table 2. Characteristics of Singhiella species from Taiwan. Species Colour Thoracic Tile­like Pairs of s.m. setae Tips of Posteriormost tracheal structures (excluding cau­ submarginal s.m. setae pores dal setae) setae 6. S. piperis yellow to brown present present 10 spiny submargin 7. S. subrotunda yellowish absent present 12 spiny submargin but small 8. S. tetrastigmae yellowish present present 15 capitate caudal ridges 9. S. vanieriae pale present present 12 capitate submargin The classification of whiteflies is based primarily on an immature stage, the puparium (Gill 1990), and adults are usually considered to be morphologically uniform (Bink­Moenen 1991). However, there are several examples of adult characters differing between species, and thus being useful for identification. David & Thenmozhi (1995) provided a comparison table of the clasper setation for four Lipaleyrodes species. Guimarães (1996) described lateral ovipositor and cement gland structure of seven species (Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), Aleyrodes proletella Linnaeus, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana), Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)) but omitted other useful adult morphological characters. Similarly, Calvert et al. (2001) described the length ratios of antennal segments and the position of antennal sensoria for five species belonging to Bemisia, Rhachisphora and Aleurotrachelus. Moreover, the generic definitions of Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes are well supported by the cladistic analysis of Jensen (2001), but Singhiella is much less well supported. Our observations on adult morphology, such as the antennal sensoria and male genitalia, support the genera Dialeurodes and Massilieurodes, but the diversity among the species assigned to Singhiella does not support the suggestion that they belong to the same genus. After extensive study of whitefly specimens, we have found additional adult characters that could be used to define species. For example, the three related Dialeurodes species, D. agalmae, D. citri and D. daphniphylli, have very similar puparia but the adults differ in the numbers of antennal sensorial plaques, the numbers of ommatidia between upper and lower halves of the compound eyes, the shapes of abdominal wax plates, also the vasiform orifice, claspers, cement glands and lateral view of aedeagus, even the chaetotaxy of male and female genitalia and the chaetotaxy of mesotibia and metatibia. More importance needs to be placed on these adult character states in considering the systematic relationships between whitefly species than has been done hitherto, and adult morphological characteristics need to be taken into consideration in studies on whitefly taxonomy.