Morphology of <i>Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis</i> (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) from <i>Salix integra</i> in the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan
Abstract
Morphological characteristics of Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis (Curtis) on Salix integra in the Fergana Valley were studied. The study focused on determining the key diagnostic and morphometric features of adult females. Microscopic examination and morphometric measurements were conducted. The following morphometrics were determined: body length 0.71-0.75 mm, body width 0.62-0.64 mm, median lobes width 47-51 μm, and anal opening width 9.5-10.5 μm. The pygidium structure revealed a pair of needle- like gland spines between the median lobes. Additionally, one lateral gland comb was observed in the L1-L2 interval and two to three gland combs were recorded in the L2-L3 interval. These morphological features correspond well with diagnostic descriptions reported for this species.