Nanokermes folium

Kermes pubescens (misidentification)

Hosts: Quercus alba, borealis [rubra]

Post-reproductive female. Description from following lot: VA, Fairfax, Jun. 5, 1975, coll. B. Zirilli. Spheroid, ca. 3 mm long, 2 high, 2 1/2 broad; basal fourth covered with short, clear strands of wax. Color yellowish brown, with 3 to 5 transverse, suffused bands of brown intersecting with 2 longitudinal stripes of darker brown. If wax is rubbed off, surface of dorsum is shiny, somewhat translucent, and covered with minute dark brown specks.

Remarks. This species, found on Quercus alba from Massachusetts to the mountains of Tennessee, has been recorded once from Q. borealis.

It has been confused with N. pubescens (Bogue), and much of the literature referring to N. pubescens may actually refer to it

Etymology. This species is named for its habit of positioning itself on leaf mid-ribs and petioles.