1.1.3.4. Classification of the Coccidae and related Coccoid families

Abstract

This chapter presents the classification of the Coccidae and related Coccoid families. Exactly the way the various families within each of these groups are related is still unclear. There have been about 10 different phylograms proposed for the Coccoidea until now. There is broad agreement in these phylograms as to which families fall within the lecanoid group, but there is less agreement as to their relationships. Most consider that the Pseudococcidae are the most primitive and that they and the Eriococcidae and Kermesidae probably arose from a mutual ancestor, based on male structure, and based on chromosome structure, postulated that the neococcids are polyphyletic, and considered that the pseudococcids developed separately. All considered the Coccidae (along with the Aclerdidae) to be the most advance lecanoids and many workers also consider that the Tachardiidae belong to this group. However, there appears to be general agreement that the Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Cerococcidae, Cryptococcidae, Eriococcidae, Kermesidae, lecanodiaspididae, Micrococcidae and Tachardiidae are probably the families most closely related to the Coccidae. These all belong to the lecanoid group and the adult females can be separated by the characters and by the keys.