taxonID	type	description	language	source
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	description	(Figs 6, 7)	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This species has a yellowish-testaceous ground colour with the elytra usually having a darker brownish or infuscate discal patch similar to S. victoris Motschulsky (Figs 6 a, b; 7 g, h); the discal brown area is paler or smaller (Fig. 6 b) or obsolete in some specimens, externally resembling the immaculate form of S. coccivora Ayyar and S. dyadechkoi Ukrainsky, 2010 (= Scymnus utilis Hoàng, 1982). Males of this species can be easily separated from other congeners by the presence of a short, dark brown, triangular, tooth-like projection in the middle of the apical margin of abdominal ventrite 5 (Fig. 6 d, f). The male genitalia (Fig. 6 g – j) are also diagnostic.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	description	Description. TL: 1.03 – 1.24 mm; TW: 0.77 – 0.90 mm; TL / TW: 1.26 – 1.41; EL / EW: 0.99 – 1.13; PL / PW: 0.36 – 0.50. Male. Form broad oval, dorsum convex, with dense, silvery white pubescence, lateral sides of elytra with few erect marginal setae. Dorsum yellowish to reddish testaceous, elytra medially with a pale infuscate area or a clearly distinct dark brown patch covering most of elytra except lateral and apical margins; ventral side yellowish-testaceous except meso- and metaventrites and middle of abdominal ventrite 1 darker, brownish; legs paler yellowish. Head (Fig. 6 c) 3.17 – 3.23 x as wide as an eye, interocular distance 1.50 – 1.70 x eye width; with shallowly impressed punctures. Elytral punctation dense, punctures more or less similar to those on pronotum, very shallowly impressed, separated by 1 - 4 diameters. Prosternal intercoxal process with a pair of carinae progressively divergent towards apex. Abdomen with six ventrites, posterior margin of ventrite 5 with a short, dark brown, triangular median tooth (Fig. 6 d), ventrite 6 only narrowly visible and very shallowly emarginate. Tarsal claws trifid (Fig. 6 o). Male genitalia (Fig. 6 g – j) with penis guide of tegmen broadly lanceolate in ventral view (Fig. 6 h), medially broadest and apically triangular with a very short, tubular apex; with a characteristic basal keel in lateral view (Fig. 6 g); penis (Fig. 6 i, k, l) with a prominent capsule (Fig. 6 j), penis apex with a membranous flap (Fig. 6 m) as illustrated. Female. Externally similar to male except abdominal ventrite 5 posteriorly without a median tooth, ventrite 6 only slightly visible, apically arcuate. Female genitalia (Fig. 6 n) and spermatheca as illustrated.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin adjective in reference to the acutely pointed median tooth on the posterior margin of abdominal ventrite 5 in male.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype male, “ India: Tamil Nadu: Podavur, NRCB research farm, N ° 1047 ’ 20.16 ” E 078 ° 34 ’ 29.88 ”, Ex. Jack Beardsley mealybug on banana, R. Thanigairaj ”; Paratypes: with same data as holotype, except dates of collection 24. iv. 19, 29. i. 21, 28. vii. 21, 11. viii. 21 (ICAR-NBAIR).	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	description	Immature stages. Larva (Fig. 7 a – d) and pupa (Fig. 7 e, f) yellowish orange, with dense waxy filamentation on the dorsal and lateral sides as in other Scymnini.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	biology_ecology	Hosts / associated host plants. Scymnus (Pullus) spicatus sp. n. was collected as a predator of Jack Beardsley mealybug and F. virgata infesting banana in and around Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It was also found feeding on F. virgata infesting eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in and around the banana orchards at the NRCB research farm.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB4FD01B3CE9F75FA8CFBC0.taxon	distribution	Distribution. India: Tamil Nadu. Notes. Indigenous natural enemies such as Mallada desjardinsi (Navás) (= M. boninensis (Okamoto )) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Spalgis epeus (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and some species of gnats (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have been recorded earlier as predators of P. jackbeardsleyi in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, South India (Shylesha 2013; Mani et al. 2013).	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB3FD1EB3CE9DE1FD51FDDC.taxon	description	(Figs 8, 9)	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB3FD1EB3CE9DE1FD51FDDC.taxon	description	Brief description. Length: 1.10 – 1.30 mm; width: 0.70 – 0.90 mm. Form narrow and elongate oval, dorsum weakly convex with dense white pubescence; lateral margins of elytra with few long, erect setae interspersed with shorter ones. Dorsum usually pale yellow (Fig. 8 f, h), rarely darker reddish brown (Fig. 8 g), basal part of elytra with darker infuscate area. Head (Fig. 9 a) broad with small eyes, interocular distance a little more than 3 / 5 th of head width. Antenna (Fig. 9 b) with 11 antennomeres. Prosternal carinae distinctly and somewhat abruptly divergent posteriorly around middle (Fig. 9 c). Abdominal postcoxal line complete, strongly curved, anteriorly punctate, smooth and impunctate near posterior margin (Fig. 9 d, e). Male genitalia (Fig. 9 f – h) with penis having a distinct capsule (Fig. 9 h), penis guide elongate triangular in ventral view (Fig. 9 g), parameres and penis guide subequal in length, apices of parameres with few short hairs (Fig. 9 f, g). Female genitalia (Fig. 9 i) and spermatheca (Fig. 9 j) as illustrated. See Sasaji (1971) for detailed description. Immature stages. Larva (Fig. 8 a – d) creamy white with white waxy filaments, always found in association with banana root mealybug colonies. Pupa (Fig. 8 d, e) elongate, creamy white, somewhat bereft of waxy filaments.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB3FD1EB3CE9DE1FD51FDDC.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. India: Tamil Nadu: Mullikarumbur, N 10 ° 49 ’ 34.39 ” E 078 ° 36 ’ 41.69 ”, Ex. Root mealybug complex on banana, 18. ix. 21, 22. xii. 21, R. Thanigairaj (ICAR-NRCB: 9); INDIA: I. I. S. C., Bangalore, Karnataka / vii. 1992, Sp. no. 44 / ex Planococcus citri IIE 22763 / Scymnus (P.) sp., det. R. G. Booth, 1993 / Pres. by Int. Inst. Ent. B. M. 1993 (BMNH: 2 M (genitalia dissected), 1 unsexed).	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB3FD1EB3CE9DE1FD51FDDC.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Japan; India (Karnataka; Tamil Nadu) (new record). Prey / associated habitat. Predatory on banana root mealybug complex (comprising Geococcus? johorensis Williams, Geococcus sp. and Rhizoecus sp.); Planococcus citri (label data).	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
03C0BB05FFB3FD1EB3CE9DE1FD51FDDC.taxon	discussion	Notes. Sasaji (1971) described it from Kyushu, Japan [see the holotype photo and details in Kyushu University Museum Database [Hiroyuki Sasaji Collection, Catalog no. SH 005533, URL: http: // db. museum. kyushu-u. ac. jp / entomology /? wb = det & cl = 31 & it = 5533]. It appears to be a unique and characteristic species of Scymnus in South India with a small, distinctly narrow and elongate oval form, head with a wide frons and small, broadly separated eyes, and prosternal carinae that are distinctly divergent posteriorly and the male genitalia are also diagnostic. The specimens collected from Tamil Nadu, fully match Sasaji’s (1971) description and the male genitalia also are almost identical to the illustrations given by Sasaji. The larvae were found to be predatory on banana root mealybug complex (comprising a mixture of Geococcus? johorensis, Geococcus sp. and Rhizoecus sp.). Conspecific specimens collected in association with Planococcus citri from Bangalore, Karnataka, by the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control-Indian Station (Bangalore) in the collections of BMNH were also examined. It is a new addition to the fauna of Scymnini of the Indian region.	en	Poorani, J., Anuradha, C., Thanigairaj, R., Mol, P. Prashina (2024): Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies. Zootaxa 5419 (4): 525-544, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5419.4.3
