Kermes trinotatus Bogue

Talla trinotata

Hosts: Quercus nigra [observations on Q alba listed as "questionable"]

Post-reproductive female. Bogue (1900) described the post-reproductive female as .. variable in size, averaging about 5 1/2 mm. long, 6 mm. wide, and 4 1/2 mm. high; rounded above, somewhat flattened behind, convex beneath, front turned down into a more or less beak-like prominence; median groove obscure or broad and shallow; color varies from bright argillaceous to dull gray; surface uniform, more or less conspicuously speckled with black; segmentation obscure or plainly marked with dark spots. When the median groove is present it is crossed with more or less dark lines showing segmentation. There is a rounded dark spot on each side of the front, and an elongated dark blotch extending for a short distance above and below the anal opening: hence the specific appellation.

Etymology. Bogue named this species for the three dark blotches on its dorsum: two on the front and one surrounding the anal ring.

Distr: OK

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