Puparium elliptical, with a single row of submarginal setae, M. distylii and M. filicis bear ten pairs of submarginal setae while M. palawana bears 14 pairs. Vasiform orifice elongate-cordate to triangular, much longer than wide, the trapezoidal operculum occupying about half of orifice (Takahashi 1963; Martin and Camus 2001). This genus resembles Parabemisia Takahashi in the shape of puparium and the presence of a row of submarginal setae, but can be distinguished by the lingula wanting lateral tubercles and in the presence of caudal tracheal cleft. It also resembles Neomaskellia Quaintance & Baker, but differ in the characters of vasiform orifice.

China, Hainan Island, Wuzhishan Mountain, 18°51'N, 109°39'E, 561 m, on Leguminous herb, 18.v.2012, leg. JR Wang.

Holotype: China, Hainan Island, Wuzhishan Mountain, 18°51'N, 109°39'E, 561 m, 1 puparium on slide, on leguminous herb, 18.v.2012, leg. J R Wang (WZS-NO.1), deposited in YZU.

Paratypes: Fifteen paratypes, same data as the holotype, 15 puparia on 15 slides, (WZS-NO.2–4: BMNH-1, ZSI-2); (WZS-NO.5–16: SHEM-2, YZU-10). 17 dry puparia on leguminous leaves with above collection data available at YZU.

This species is characterized by the submarginal area with ten pairs of subequal longsetae (Figs 2, 6), about 74.6–93.6µm,the presence of 4–5 rows of very small distinct pore along the margin (Figs 1, 5), the absence of the first abdominal setae, and the thoracic tracheal pores being indistinct, the submedian depressions are particularly distinct on abdominal segment I–VI (Fig. 7), vasiform orifice triangular (Figs 4, 8), longer than wide, lingula with a pair of apical setae (Figs 4, 8).

Figures 1–4. 

Metabemisia leguminosa sp. n., holotype puparium, China (Hainan). 1 puparium, dorsal (right) and ventral (left) views 2 submarginal seta 3 margin 4 vasiform orifice. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (1); 0.02 mm (2); 0.04 mm (3); 0.03 mm (4).

Figures 5–9. 

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photographs of Metabemisia leguminosa sp. n., China (Hainan) 5 puparium, dorsal view 6 margin and submarginal setae 7 the sub-median depressions on abdominal segments 8 vasiform orifice 9 empty pupal case, dorsal view.

Puparia (fourth instar). Body yellowish, elliptical, 581–723 µm long, 306–395 µm wide, broadest at the metathoracic region. Margin crenulate (Figs 3, 6), 23–25 crenulations in 0.1 mm. Approximately 4–5 rows of very small distinct papillae present along the margin. Paired anterior and posterior marginal setae 19–24 µm and 18–22 µm long, respectively.

Dorsum. Submarginal area with ten pairs of long setae, nine of which are subequal in length, about 72.3–76.8 µm, each arising from a small tubercle; caudal setae 90.6–95.4 µm; cephalic setae 41.7–44.8 µm; eighth abdominal setae 8.1–8.8 µm long, first abdominal setae absent. Longitudinal and transverse molting sutures all reaching the margin. A pair of sub-median depressions present on each thoracic and abdominal segment I–VI, approximately 43.3 µm apart. Abdominal segments I–VI nearly equal in length, while abdominal segment VII only about half of abdominal segment VIII, less than half as long as abdominal segment VI.

Vasiform orifice. Triangular, distinctly longer than wide, 62.1–64.6 µm long, 42.6–45.2 µm wide; operculum inverted trapezoid, covering nearly half the orifice, 25.8–29.1 µm long, 32.1–35.2 µm wide. Lingula exposed, knobbed, expand at the base, 13.1–16.2 µm long, 14.2–17.8 µm wide, nearly reaching the hind margin of the orifice, with a pair of apical setae, 10.8–13.1 µm in length. Caudal furrow distinct.

Venter. Thoracic tracheal folds and pores not discernible. Ventral abdominal setae placed on either side of anterior angles of vasiform orifice, finely pointed and 7–9 µm long, 67 µm apart. Adhesive pads present at apex of legs.

Third instar (Figs 10–11). yellowish, elliptical, about 514–558µm long, 289–303µm wide, the other morphological characteristics are basically identical with the puparia except the vasiform orifice region. The operculum (Fig. 11) protruded in the central part, about 18.6–20.3 µm long, 34.9–36.7 µm wide, and covering about half of the orifice. Lingula (Fig. 11) particularly developed and upward, extending beyond the hind margin of the orifice, about double the length of operculum, 40.7–42.1 µm long; with a pair of apical setae, about 17.4–18.6 µm long.

Figures 10–11. 

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photographs of Metabemisia leguminosa sp. n., China (Hainan) 10 third instar, dorsal view 11 vasiform orifice of third instar.

Figure 12. 

The live images of Metabemisia leguminosa sp. n., China (Hainan). A puparium, dorsal view B empty pupal case, dorsal view.

Unknown.

Leguminosae.

China (Hainan Island).

Specimens were found in clusters of 5–8 per leaf, centrally on the under surface of leaves. No evident signs of damage have been noted on the host plant. No parasitoids were obtained from the puparia. No ant attendance was observed.

The species name was derived from the family name of the host plant; adjective.