Physokermes hellenicus Kozar & Gounari, sp. n.
Creators: name: Kozár, Ferenc
name: Gounari, Sofia
name: Hodgson, Chris
name: Fetyk, Kinga
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2012
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hemiptera
Coccidae
Physokermes
Physokermes hellenicus

description: Physokermes hellenicus Kozár & Gounari sp. n.
Material studied: Holotype female, Greece, Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 28.iv. 2010, 1/ 1 adult in good condition, on Abies cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No 10160) (PPI).
Paratypes. Greece: As for holotype (PPI): 3/2 ad females. Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 24.iv.2009, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10315): 6/3ad females, 3/3 3rd instar females, 1/1 2nd instar female + 1/1 2nd male (fair, with inner hymenopteran parasitoid) (PPI, IVRA). Peloponnesus, Panachaiko Mountain, 14.v.2009, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10316) 2/2ad females + 1/1 2nd instar male (good condition) (PPI). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 11.v.2009, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10318): 1/4ad females (PPI). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 02.v.2007, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10316): 2/3ad females, a pharate pupa + ad male (fair-good condition) (PPI, IVRA). Kefallonia, Ainos Mountain, 30.v.2006, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10323): 5/5ad females (PPI, IVRA). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 29.iv.2009, S. Gounari (Kozár No 10155), 1/1 3rdƤ (fair–good condition) (PPI). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 28.iv.2010, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No 10160), 1/1 3rd instar female + 1/1 2nd instar female (slightly damaged) (PPI). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 20.vii.2012, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10591), 1/1 2nd instar male (fair-good but with inner hymenopteran parasitoid) + 3/7 1st instar (fair-good condition) (PPI). Taygetos, 13.vii.2012, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10590), 5/18 first-instar nymphs (poor-good condition) (PPI). Peloponnesus, Mainalo Mountain, 31.iii.2007, on A. cephalonica, S. Gounari (Kozár No. 10319). (PPI): 1/2ad males (good–poor condition) (PPI).
Adult female (Fig. 2)
Unmounted female. Body of young pre-reproductive female oval to almost round, becoming bud-like or kidney-shaped; heavily sclerotized and dark brown when mature; about 1–2 mm in diameter.
Mounted material. Body oval, 1.29 (1.08–1.43) mm long, 1.43 (1.08–1.50) mm wide.
Venter. Antennae variously reduced on different specimens, segmentation generally indistinct but, when visible, probably 3 segmented; [segment length not measurable on holotype but on paratypes (µm) I 14, II 5– 10, III 10–14]; total antennal lengths 32.5–52.5 µm, all segments with a few setae, segments I and II each probably with 1 sensory seta, III with an apical seta, 34 (31–44) µm long, 3 sensory fleshy setae, each 29 (22–29) µm long plus several other setae. Labium 1 segmented, 106 (84–106) µm long, with 4 pairs of setae. Stylet loop as long as body. Legs reduced, variable, 2 or 3 segmented, basal segment with several setae; tarsal digitules slightly knobbed, each 21–32 µm long, claw 8 (7–11) µm long with a small denticle; claw digitules 14–19 µm long, slightly knobbed. Spiracles: peritremes each 36 (28–41) µm in diameter with a large atrial cavity without pores. Multilocular disc pores, each with 5–14 (mainly 10) loculi, largest 12 um wide, smallest 6 um wide; present in a longitudinal band sub-medially on thoracic and abdominal segments, extending from just anterior to each anterior spiracle to lateral margins of anal cleft; also with a large group of 9–23 pores laterad to each anterior spiracle plus a smaller group (6–8) laterad to each posterior spiracle; and with a small group of about 3 or 4 near each antennae, these latter pores tending to have fewest loculi. Preantennal pores not detected. Setae slender, each 5–15 µm long, scattered on abdomen but with groups of 10–12 mesad to each coxa. Tubular ducts of one size only, each 32–38 µm long, 5–7 µm wide, with inner ductule significantly shorter than outer ductule and with a flower-shaped distal gland; present on anterior two-thirds to three-quarters of venter. Microducts absent. Vulva barely discernible. Bands of spinulae present medially on all abdominal segments and also in patches near each spiracle.
Margin not demarcated; marginal and stigmatic spines absent but eyespot probably on margin. Anal cleft shallow, about 100 µm long.
Dorsum. Even on youngest specimens, dorsum apparently significantly wider than venter; unsclerotized in younger specimens, becoming heavily sclerotized with maturity. Hair-like setae, each about 12–19 µm long, scattered all over body, most numerous on anal lobes, where a group of longer setae (each up to 85 µm long) present more or less laterad to each anal cleft margin, each group with 9–18 setae. Tubular ducts similar to those on venter, sparse medially, becoming more abundant towards margin; absent in area where dorsal microducts present and also perhaps absent or very sparse on each anal lobe where multilocular disc pores present. Microducts in a broad group on head, each duct about 6 µm long and 3 µm wide. Closed simple pores, each 5 µm wide, heavily sclerotised with microductules, scattered on abdomen. Multilocular disc pores similar to larger pores on venter but most without innermost clear spot and with mainly 10 loculi, present in a large group amongst hair-like setae on each anal lobe and sometimes with a few extending anteriorly anterior to anal area. Anal plates absent. Anal ring situated between anal lobes, reduced, oval, width 60 (60–65) µm, length 48 (41–58) µm, without pores. Anal tube developed, with a slightly sclerotized posterior opening on ventral margin, oval, 41 (41–55) µm wide and 38 (33–38) µm long; without pores or setae.
Ethymology. The species epithet hellenicus is from Hellas, the official Greek name for Greece, and thus pertaining to Greece (hellinicos), where this species was found.
Affinities. The adult females of P. hellenicus sp. n. differs from those of all other known Physokermes species in the absence of multilocular disc pores mid-ventrally on all abdominal segments and in the presence of a group of multilocular pores on the dorsum of each anal lobe. P. hemicryphus has multilocular disc pores mid-ventrally on the last six abdominal segments but lacks multilocular disc pores on the dorsum of the anal lobes (Hodgson, 1994); on P. inopinatus, the multilocular disc pores on the abdomen and thorax do not form longitudinal mediolateral bands, and multilocular disc pores are absent from the dorsum of the anal lobes (Danzig & Kozár, 1973); P. piceae has multilocular disc pores mid-ventrally on the last seven abdominal segments but they do not form longitudinal mediolateral bands on the abdomen and thorax and there are no multilocular disc pores on the dorsum of the anal lobes (Rehacek, 1960; Schmutterer, 1956).
FIGURE 2. Young adult female of Physokermes hellenicus Kozár & Gounari sp. n. On this and on some of Figs 3–6: A = dorsal seta; B = setae on anal lobes; C = marginal seta; D = stigmatic seta; E = dorsal simple pore; F = large quinquelocular pore; G = trilocular pore; H = dorsal microduct; J = sclerotised simple pore; K = tubular duct; L = dorsal view of anal plate; M = ventral view of anal plate; O = dorsal multilocular disc pore; P = spiracular disc pore; Q = antenna; R1 = prothoracic tarsus and claw; R and R2 = metathoracic tarsus and claw; S = ventral seta and T = anal tube.
Comments. During none of the surveys throughout Greece was P. hellenicus found on Abies borisii-regis (Bulgarian Fir), a species native to the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula and northern Greece, which might account for why it was not found in the county of Sterea, nor in north and central Greece. It therefore appears to be restricted to southern Greece on A. cephalonica.
Third-instar female nymph (Fig. 3)
Mounted material. Body oval, 0.79–1.01 mm long, 0.78–0.96 mm wide. Derm membranous. Antennae 6 segmented; lengths of segments (µm): I 24– 26, II 17–21, III 48 – 50, IV 22–24, V 20, VI 26 [total length about 165 µm long]; setal distribution typical of Coccidae; fleshy, falcate setae on apical segment each 22–26 µm long. Large quinquelocular pores present on dorsum. Anal plates present and well developed. Stigmatic setae absent. Spiracular disc-pore bands broadening near margin.
Venter. Labium 1 segmented, 53 µm long, with four pairs of setae. Stylet loop longer than body. Legs well developed, metathoracic legs longest (lengths in µm): hindcoxae 43–60, trochanter 28–34, femur 72–85, tibia 72–85, tarsus 50–62; tarsal digitules knobbed, each 43–48; claw 18–21; claw digitules each 24–26, slightly knobbed, dissimilar, one slightly broader than other. Claws with an indistinct denticle. All legs with a few flagellate setae. Spiracles: each peritreme 12–14 µm in diameter, each disc pore band with 7–10 small quinquelocular pores, each 5 µm in diameter, each band broadening somewhat near margin. Setae setose, in 4 longitudinal lines on each side of abdomen (including submarginal setae), with 1 seta per band per segment; each seta 10–32 µm long (longest medially on most posterior abdominal segment), with a few scattered elsewhere on head and thorax. Tubular ducts absent. Ventral microducts very few, perhaps a single pair anteriorly on head and another pair laterad to antennae. Preantennal pores absent.
Margin. Marginal setae hair-like, each 13–15 µm long, with 8 anteriorly between eyespots, 3 between eyespots and anterior stigmatic area, 3 between stigmatic areas laterally and 8 on each side of abdomen; stigmatic spines absent. Eyespot present on margin. Anal cleft short, about 45 µm long.
Dorsum. Dorsum tending to be significantly wider than venter; membranous. Tubular ducts absent. Simple pores, each 2 µm wide, scattered throughout. Large quinquelocular pores, each 7–8 µm wide, present in a submarginal row (with perhaps 9 on each side of abdomen, 4 or 5 on thorax and 1 or 2 on each side of head) plus a few (about 7 or 8) scattered more medially. Anal plates each about 40 µm long with 4 setae: apical seta hair-like, as long as subapical seta, plus 2 setae on inner margin. Anal ring sclerotized, approximately round, 18–24 µm wide, with 6 setae, each 43 µm long; with two rows of wax pores, each row with 4 or 5 pores. Anal lobes becoming sclerotized with age.
Comments. As far as we are aware, this is the first time that a third-instar female has been found in this family.
Second-instar female (Fig. 4).
Mounted material. Body oval, 0.73–1.16 mm long, 0.54–0.81 mm wide. Large quinquelocular pores present on dorsum. Anal plates present and well developed. Stigmatic setae present. Spiracular disc-pore bands broadening near margin.
Venter. Antennae 6 segmented; each 157–170 µm long; setal distribution on antennae typical of Coccidae. Labium 1 segmented, with 4 pairs of setae. Length of stylet loop unknown but likely to be long. Legs well developed, subequal in length (lengths in µm): hindcoxae 58–66, trochanter + femur 100–102, tibia 68–73, tarsus 52–55; tarsal digitules offset, knobbed; claw 18–20; claw digitules dissimilar, one slightly broader than other, both knobbed; claws with a denticle. Spiracles: each peritreme 11–13 µm in diameter; each spiracular disc pore band with 4–6 quinquelocular pores, each 5 µm in diameter, plus 2 or 3 more pores extending laterally along margin. Ventral microducts extremely sparse, perhaps with only 2 pairs submarginally in head. Preantennal pores absent. Setae mainly small and setose, in 4 longitudinal lines on each side of abdomen (including submarginal setae), each line with 1 seta per segment, longest medially in posterior abdominal segment; a few scattered elsewhere. Tubular ducts absent.
Margin. Marginal setae each 16–19 µm long with a blunt apex; with 8 anteriorly between eyespots, 3 on each side between eyespots and anterior stigmatic area, 3 on each side between stigmatic areas and 8 on each side of abdomen. Stigmatic spines present, each stout and blunt, 8–15 µm long, with 2 in each stigmatic area. Eyespot indistinct, on margin.
Dorsum. Microducts not detected. Simple pores, each 2 µm wide, probably present throughout but only detected just anterolaterally to anal plates. Large quinquelocular pores, each about 6–7 µm wide, in a submarginal ring, with 4 or 5 on each side of abdomen, 1 or 2 between stigmatic areas and 1 or 2 on each side of head; occasionally a disc pore replaced by a tubular duct, about 33–35 µm long with a glandular apex to inner ductule. Anal plates each 53–60 µm long, with 2 setae near apex and 2 more along inner margin, all about 12–17 µm long. Anal ring sclerotized, with pores and 6 setae, each about 55–60 µm long.
Comments. The second-instar female nymphs of P. hemicryphus differ from those of P. p i c e a e in having only 3 pairs of loculate pores (each with 6 loculi) on the dorsal margin of the thorax, whereas the nymphs of P. piceae has 65–125 pores in this position. The dorsal pores on P. hellenicus have 5 loculi and the total on each side is about 10, i.e. intermediate between P. hemicryphus and P. piceae.
Second-instar male (Fig. 5).
Mounted material. Body elongate oval, 1.42–1.50 mm long, 0.66–0.68 mm wide. Large quinquelocular pores absent from dorsum. Anal plates well developed. Dorsal tubular ducts present in a partial submarginal line and across abdominal segment IV. Stigmatic setae present. Spiracular disc-pore bands not broadening broadening near margin.
Venter. Antennae 7 segmented; each 178–186 µm long; setal distribution on antennae typical of Coccidae. Labium 1 segmented, with 4 pairs of setae. Length of stylet loop unknown but likely to be long. Legs well developed, subequal in length (lengths in µm): hindcoxae 56–58, trochanter + femur 91–101, tibia 75, tarsus 52–55; tarsal digitules offset, knobbed; claw 15–17; claw digitules dissimilar, one slightly broader than other, both knobbed; claws with a denticle. Spiracles: each peritreme 11–17 µm in diameter; each spiracular pore band with 5 quinquelocular pores, each 5 µm in diameter, each band not broadening near margin. Ventral microducts not detected. Preantennal pores absent. Setae mainly small and setose, in 3 longitudinal lines on each side of abdomen (including submarginal setae), each line with 1 seta per segment, longest medially in posterior abdominal segment; also with a few scattered on thorax and head. Tubular ducts absent.
Margin. Marginal setae each 10–14 µm long with a blunt apex; with 8 anteriorly between eyespots, 3 on each side between eyespots and anterior stigmatic area, 3 on each side between stigmatic areas and 8 on each side of abdomen. Stigmatic spines present, each stout and bluntly pointed, 8–11 µm long, with 2 in each stigmatic area. Eyespot indistinct, on margin.
Dorsum. Microducts absent. Simple pores, each 2 µm wide, probably present throughout but rarely detected. Large quinquelocular pores absent. Dorsal tubular ducts, each with outer ductule about 23–25 µm long, and with a shorter inner ductule with a glandular end, present in a submarginal line extending from head to about abdominal segment IV, with 10 anteriorly between eyespots, 3 between eyespots and anterior stigmatic area, 4 on each side between stigmatic areas and about 7 on anterior abdominal segments; also with a submedial group of 2 or 3 on each side of segment IV and with 2 further ducts between this group and margin. Anal plates each 45–50 µm long, with 2 setae near apex and 2 more along inner margin, all about 12–17 µm long. Anal ring sclerotized, with pores and 6 setae, each about 58–66 µm long.
Comments. The distribution of the tubular ducts on the dorsum, with the non-marginal ducts restricted to a transverse line across approximately abdominal segment IV, is similar to that on some Eulecaniinae, Eriopeltinae, Myzolecaniinae, Coccinae (Pulvinariini) and Cardiococcinae (Miller & Williams, 1997) and so does not help in elucidating the relationships of the genus Physokermes. However, based on adult male morphology, Giliomee (1967) considered that P. piceae belonged to the Eulecanium group, which more or less equates to the Eulecaniinae.
First-instar nymph (Fig. 6)
Mounted material. Body oval, 460–600 µm long, 310–320 µm wide. Dorsum with 2 submedial lines of 5 setae on thorax and head. A pair of trilocular pores present on dorsum of head. Anal plates present and well developed. Stigmatic setae present.
Venter. Antennae 6 segmented; each 130–140 µm long; setal distribution on antennae typical of Coccidae except an additional setose seta present on segment IV. Labium 1 segmented, with 4 pairs of setae. Stylet loop extending to abdominal segment IV. Legs well developed, subequal in length (lengths in µm), hindcoxae 40–48, trochanter + femur 71–80, tibia 50–58, tarsus 30–32; tarsal digitules offset, knobbed; claw 18–19; claw digitules dissimilar, one slightly broader than other, both knobbed; claws with an indistinct denticle. Spiracles: each peritreme about 8 µm in diameter; each spiracular pore band with 3 or 4 quinquelocular pores, each 5 µm in diameter, without additional pores along margin. Ventral microducts: only definitely detected on thorax between spiracles, with 1 pair on each side; perhaps also present posterolateral to each scape but none detected on abdomen. Preantennal pores absent. Setae mainly small and setose, in three longitudinal lines on each side of abdomen (including submarginal setae), each line with 1 seta per segment; those medially on abdominal segments subequal in length; also with a pair anteriorly on head plus a single pair of interantennal setae. Tubular ducts absent.
Margin. Marginal setae each 10–13 µm long; with 6–9 anteriorly between eyespots, 3 on each side between eyespots and anterior stigmatic area, 3 on each side between stigmatic areas and 8 on each side of abdomen. Stigmatic spines present, each stout and blunt, 7–8 µm long, with 2 in each stigmatic area. Eyespot indistinct, on margin.
Dorsum. Microducts not detected. Sclerotized simple pores, each about 1 µm wide, present more or less in four longitudinal lines, 2 submedially and 2 submarginally, with perhaps 1 pore per segment in each line. A trilocular pore present just anterior to each antenna, each pore 3 µm wide. Other pores and ducts absent. Anal plates each 33–35 µm long, with a very long apical seta, each 100–130 µm long, plus 3 other shorter setae, 2 on apex and a shorter one on inner margin. Anal ring sclerotized, with pores and 6 setae, each about 30–35 µm long and with a double row of pores totalling 22–26 pores.
Comments. There are no detailed descriptions in the literature of first–instar nymphs of Physokermes species. According to Schmutterer (1956), there are no differences between first–instar nymphs of P. hemicryphus and P. piceae, but they warrent more detailed study.
Adult male (Fig. 7).
Described from three specimens in fair to good condition; that collected on 2 May 2007 significantly larger but apparently this species.
Unmounted male: unknown.
Mounted male. Small, total body length 1.28–1.55 mm, width across triangular plates about 255–300 µm. Antennae rather short, less than half total-body length; head with two pairs simple eyes; body almost without setae, fleshy setae (fs) mainly restricted to antennae and legs; hair-like setae (hs) not easy to separate from fs; appendages not very hirsute; procoxae without bristles. Abdomen with caudal extensions on both segments VII and VIII; glandular pouches present. Wings about 1.0– 1.1 mm long and 0.4 mm wide.
Head: roughly triangular, but probably with a postero-ventral bulge on which ventral simple eyes situated; length about 190 µm; width across genae 210 µm. Median crest possibly only present anteriorly on dorsum; postoccipital ridge absent; with 3 pairs of hs dorsal head setae. Mid-cranial ridge absent dorsally; ventral midcranial ridge narrow but well-defined, extending posteriorly as far as ocular sclerite; without a reticulated margin; with 1 pair of fs ventral mid-cranial ridge setae posteriorly. Preocular ridge very short both dorsally and ventrally. Genae large and membranous, without either polygonal reticulations or genal setae. Eyes: 2 pairs of round simple eyes, 1 pair dorsally and 1 pair ventrally, dorsal eyes possibly slightly larger (dorsal about 65 µm wide, ventral about 60 µm). Ocelli distinct, each about 40 µm widest. Ocular sclerite polygonally reticulated throughout, each reticulation mainly with few or no inner microridges. Postocular ridge extending medially to past dorsal simple eyes, and extending around each ocellus. Dorsal ocular setae absent. Ventral head setae restricted to a single pair of hs anteriorly between mid-cranial ridge and preocular ridge. Preoral ridge well developed. Cranial apophysis rather square, bifurcation shallow, length about 28–30 µm.
Antennae: each 10 segmented, 4th segment just longest. Scape 40–43 µm long, 40–43 µm wide, with 3 hs. Pedicel 33–40 µm long, 35 µm wide, lightly reticulated at distal end with 2 hs; campaniform pore present. Segments III–VI about 25–28 µm wide; length of fs 28–33 µm; lengths (µm): III 65 –68; IV 83 –88; V 70 –78; VI 70 ––75; VII 65 –78; VIII 53 –60; IX 43 –45, and X 53 –55; approximate number of setae per segment: III 2 fs + 2 or 3 hs + 2 sensilla basiconica; IV–VIII 13–17 fs + 0 or 1 hs; IX 11 fs + 0 hs; and X 6–8 fs, 0 hs, 1 sensilla basiconica, 2 large antennal bristles + 3 capitate setae (caps); smaller antennal bristles indistinguishable from fs.
Thorax. Prothorax: pronotal ridge well developed, with broad, striated, lateral pronotal sclerite (prn); without lateral pronotal setae. Post-tergite not detected; without post-tergital setae. Medial pronotal and other dorsal and pleural setae absent. Proepisternum + cervical sclerite well developed. Sternum with a strong transverse ridge; median ridge strong but short; without reticulations laterally; without prosternal, anteprosternal and antemesospiracular setae.
Mesothorax: rather convex in life; prescutum probably slightly longer than wide but mesoprephragma rather large and so prescutum often appears wider than long, 110–160 µm wide; heavily sclerotized, without nodulations; prescutal setae absent. Scutum: median membranous area 90–150 µm wide; scutal setae absent; lateral margins of membranous area sclerotized; scutum without polygonal nodulations laterad to scutellum. Scutellum 62–65 µm long, 100–160 µm wide; with a strong anterior ridge but no foramen. Mesepisternum (eps2) sclerotized but not nodulated. Basisternum about 120–170 µm long, 165–215 µm wide; with a strong median ridge but absent anteriorly; bounded anteriorly by strong marginal ridge and posteriorly by precoxal ridges; without basisternal setae; lateropleurite unusually large, without an extension from marginal ridge; furca well developed and extending anteriorly to well past point where marginal ridge and precoxal ridges meet laterally. Mesothoracic spiracle: width of peritreme 23–27 µm; postmesospiracular setae absent. Postalare not striated at anterior end and without postalare setae. Tegula with 3 or 4 hs tegular setae. Subepisternal ridge well developed. Antemetaspiracular setae absent. Mesopostnotum normally developed.
Metathorax: metatergal setae absent. Metapostnotum absent. Dorsospiracular setae absent. Dorsal and ventral part of metapleural ridge well developed; metepisternum unsclerotized, without postmetaspiracular setae; metepimeron poorly sclerotized, without setae. Metathoracic spiracle: width of peritreme 22 µm. Metasternum membranous and not reticulated. Anterior metasternal setae 1 pair hs, posterior metasternal setae possibly absent.
Wings: hyaline; of moderate length and width, 1.0– 1.1 mm long and 0.4 mm wide (ratio of length to width 1:0.26). Alar setae and sensoria absent. Hamulohalteres present, 86–108 µm long, 22–25 µm wide, with 1 (one with 2) hamuli, each 53 µm long.
Legs: metathoracic legs marginally longest; all legs with relatively few setae, mostly fs. Coxae: length (µm): I: 78–100, II: 83–91, III: 83–104; each procoxa without coxal bristles; metacoxae with 12–21 fs + 3 hs. Trochanter + femur with distinct diagonal articulation; length (µm): I: 147–186; II: 150–190, III: 155–200; each trochanter (tr) with 3 pairs of small campaniform sensilla; each trochanter with a long trochanter seta plus 3–5 fs and 2 or 3 hs; each femur with about 20 fs and 0–3 hs. Tibia long: length (µm) I: 136–166; II: 128–166; III: 126–174; apical spur strong, each about 23–25 µm long. Tarsi 1 segmented: lengths (µm): I: 50–60; II: 45–58; III: 50–62; tarsal campaniform pore absent; distal tarsal spur (tars) only slightly differentiated, each 15–17 µm long; tarsal digitules (tdt) capitate, subequal to claw. Claws short, each about 20–25 µm long, shorter than width of tarsi, with a small denticle; claw digitules capitate, slightly longer than claw.
Abdomen. Segments I–VII: tergites and sternites not detected. Caudal extension of segment VII distinct, rounded, each with 2 hs + 1 fs pleural setae. Caudal extention on segment VIII obscure, just laterad to each glandular pouch, each with 3 small setae. Dorsal abdominal setae: perhaps only a single pair on VII plus a longer pair of ante-anal setae on VIII. Pleural setae: perhaps all hs, with a single ventral pleural seta on each side of V–VII, and 2 dorsal pleural setae on each side of V–VII and 1 on IV. Ventral abdominal setae: single pairs of hs medially on segments II–VII; setae absent medially on segment VIII. Glandular pouches (gp) present, each with two short setae (gls), each 80–105 µm long.
Genital segment. Penial sheath (ps) typical of male Coccidae: long, gradually narrowing to a blunt apex; about 1/4th total body length (ratio of total body length to length of penial sheath 1:0.26); length 335–415 µm; wide at base 37–70 µm; with strongly sclerotized margins. Basal rod short, about 33–54 µm long, anterior end just reaching basal membranous area; aedeagus short, about 230–290 µm long, narrowing gradually towards apex. Apex of penial sheath with a cluster of small sensilla and about 5–8 minute setae along each margin.
Comments. The male of P. hellenicus is very similar to that of P. piceae (Schrank) (Giliomee, 1967) but differs as follows (character states on P. piceae in brackets): (i) apparent absence of a mid-cranial ridge dorsally (present but short); (ii) 0 or 1 hs seta laterad to ventral mid-cranial ridge (3 or 4), and (iii) apparent absence of tergites on anterior abdominal segments (present). According to Giliomee (1967), Moulton (1907) indicated that the males of P. insignicola (Craw) had 4 pairs of simple eyes. Based on the structure of the adult males, Giliomee (1967) considered that P. piceae belonged to the Eulecanium group (= Eulecaniinae), some of which do have males with up to 5 pairs of simple eyes (e.g. Eulecanium tiliae (L.).
description: Published as part of Kozár, Ferenc, Gounari, Sofia, Hodgson, Chris & Fetyk, Kinga, 2012, A new species of Physokermes Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) from Greece, pp. 23-38 in Zootaxa 3566 on pages 25-36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.210926