Mealybug, Pseudococcus similans Lindinger

The mealybug Pseudococcus similans has been reported in the past as a distinct species in New Zealand. However, research has shown that the characters used to separate it from citrophilus mealybug, Pseudococcus calceolariae, are within the natural variation of that species. P. calceolariae was described first and takes precedence, so this name should be used for citrophilus mealybugs from now on.

Reference:

Charles, J.G., Froud, K.J., and Henderson, R. 2000. Morphological variation and mating compatibility within the mealybugs Pseudococcus calceolariae and P. similans (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), and a new synonymy. Systematic Entomology 25: (in press)