Plant lice can be one of the most dangerous for agriculture and gardening pests. REUTERS

• The new species was called “Rhopalosiphum chusqueae”

The discovery was made thanks to the analysis of molecular data from mitochondrial DNA and nuclear genes encoding

WASHINGTON, United States (06/FEB/2012)-an international team of scientists discovered a new species of lice that feed on bamboo located at high altitude in the region of the “Hill of death” in Costa Rica, today published the journal ZooKeys free access.

The new species, which has been called “Rhopalosiphum chusqueae”, was confirmed after several periods of field work during 2008 by the team led by the taxonomist Nicolás Pérez-Hidalgo, of the Department of biodiversity and environmental management from the University of León in Spain.

The discovery was made thanks to molecular data from mitochondrial DNA analysis and coding nuclear genes, as well as the external morphological characteristics.

It is known that the family of arthropods is a very abundant in tropical fauna, although plant lice prefer more temperate climates of the northern hemisphere.

This has been somewhat paradoxical for scientists, however, have noted that the diversity of these lice increases in areas of high altitude, as the plateaus and mountains, areas where this new species was found.

Plant lice can be one of the most dangerous for agriculture and gardening pests.

From a zoological point of view, experts point out that they are very successful agencies and, although they are present mainly in temperate climates, have the potential to threaten even to tropical regions, dedicated to the cultivation of bamboo.

Why his discovery will also help improve the general awareness of plant lice, their development and modus operandi.

Studio Juan M. Nieto Nafría also participated in the University of León;  David Martínez-Torres of the Institut Cavanilles of biodiversity (I) evolutionary biology from the University of Valencia in Spain; and William Muller Villalobos of the Centre for research in cell biology and Molecular at the University of Costa Rica.