Allokermes rattani

Kermes rattani
Talla rattani

Host--Chrysolepis chrysophylla, sempervirens; Quercus douglasii

Post-reproductive female. Ehrhorn (1906) described the post-reproductive female as .. globose, from 5 to 6 mm. in diameter, varying a little according to position on twig. Surface smooth, not shiny, nor hardly pubescent, sometimes waxy. Colour light brown, generally with four white stripes running parallel with segmentation. When seen through lens these stripes have numerous brown dots at intervals.

Remarks. This species, found on Chrysolepis species and Quercus douglasii in California, is the only Allokermes recorded from Chrysolepis species. The specimens from C. sempervirens, with a narrow lateral row of quinquelocular disc pores that the specimens on C. chrysophylla do not have, probably deserve subspecific status.

Habitat: CA

Kermes mirabilis King

Kermes rattani (misidentification?)
Talla mirabilis

Host: Quercus sp.

Post-reproductive female. female as King (1914c) described the post-reproductive Subglobular, color gray, surface dull, not 'Shiny. Diameter 7 mm. Markings consist of five transverse black bands, composed of quite large round dots and fine lines. Between the lines and dots the surface is pebbled and marbled with black dots and specks. There are also some very faint reddish brown patches.

Distr: CA

Kermes occidentalis King

Talla occidentalis
Kermes rattani (misidentification?)

Host: Quercus sp.

Post-reproductive female. King (1913b) described the post-reproductive female as Globular in outline; 5 mm. in diameter; of a dull gray color. Seg-mentation indicated by five transverse narrow blackish bands, which are broken at intervals by somewhat larger round black dots. Surface between the bands of a marbled light gray-brown. The entire surface is dull, not shiny, and is covered with very minute black specks seen only under a hand lens.

Distr: CA

- Stephen Bullington, Michael Kosztarab: (1985) Studies on the morphology and systematics of scale insects. No. 12^©