Family CRYPTOCOCCIDAE Kosztarab

Historically, the two genera discussed here under the family Cryptococcidae have sometimes been placed within the Eriococcidae sensu lato (e.g. Tang & Hao 1995; Miller & Stocks 2022). The uncertain higher classification around the Eriococcidae is discussed further under that family below. Molecular evidence using 18S places the Cryptococcidae in the Gondwanan clade of Eriococcidae (Cook & Gullan 2004; Gwiazdowski et al. 2006; Nan et al. 2013). However, the higher classification of the family-groups related to Eriococcidae is still uncertain, so the Cryptococcidae is treated separately here for convenience.

The Cryptococcidae contains two genera and eight described species worldwide (García Morales et al. 2016); in Iran, two species in separate genera are known.

Appearance in life: Adult female living in bark crevices on trees; each insect is covered with a feltlike ovisac formed of fine, white, waxy secretions.

Diagnostic characters: Body of adult female oval (Fig. 45), derm becoming sclerotized at full maturity in most species (but not in Cryptococcus fagisuga); antennae (Fig. 45A) each with 1–6 segments; legs (Fig. 45B) present / reduced to unsegmented stubs / entirely absent; spiracles (Fig. 45C) each surrounded by a sclerotized frame containing a group of associated quinquelocular disc-pores; a cluster pore plate present or absent from just below each posterior spiracle (Fig. 45B); simple disc-pores usually present on dorsal submargin; trilocular pores (Fig. 45D) normally present on dorsum; quinquelocular disc-pores (Fig. 45E) often present on both surfaces, occasionally scattered near spiracles; tubular ducts (Fig. 45F) present on both surfaces, often of two types; anal ring (Fig. 45G) surrounded by large setae, the ring heavily sclerotized, bearing 4–6 short setae and with or without pores.

KEY TO GENERA OF CRYPTOCOCCIDAE IN IRAN, based on slide-mounted adult females.

1(0) Legs developed, hind coxae with translucent pores. Without a cluster pore plate posterior to each hind spiracle. Antennae 6 segmented........................................................................ Pseudochermes Nitsche

- Legs absent or reduced to unsegmented stubs. A cluster pore plate present posterior to each hind spiracle (Fig. 45B). Antennae 1–5 segmented..................................................................... Cryptococcus Douglas