Neoseiulus rambami (Swirski and Amitai)

Palevsky, Eric, Gal, Shira & Ueckermann, Edward A., 2009, Phytoseiidae from date palms in Israel with descriptions of two new taxa and a key to the species found on date palms worldwide (Acari: Mesostigmata), Journal of Natural History 43 (27 - 28), pp. 1715-1747 : 1724-1726

Neoseiulus rambami (Swirski and Amitai)

( Figure 4A–G )

Amblyseius rambami Swirski and Amitai 1990, p. 117 .

Neoseiulus rambami ; Chant and McMurtry 2003, p. 27; 2007, p. 29.

Material examined

One female 31 August 1999; eight females and five males 9 January 2001; one female 10 April 2002. All collected on C. dactylon in the Samar date palm orchard.

Female (n = 7)

Dorsum ( Figure 4A , Table 2). Dorsal shield elongate oval and reticulate, with marked shoulders at level of seta r3. Six pairs of solenostomes present, gd1, gd2, gd4, gd6, gd8 and gd9. Dorsal setae smooth, except for S4, S5, Z4 and Z5, faintly serrate. Setae r3 and R 1 on integument.

Peritreme. Extending to level of setae j3.

Venter ( Figure 4B , Table 2). Sternal shield with few vague striae, three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures, ST4 on small metasternal shields. Posterior margin of shield straight with two small lobes laterally. Ventrianal shield with striae with three pairs of preanal setae and a pair of small preanal pores posterior to JV2. Opisthogaster with seven pairs of platelets, four pairs of setae and two pairs of metapodal shields. Four slender platelets between genital and ventrianal shields. Setae JV5 serrate.

Chelicera ( Figure 4C , Table 2). Fixed digit with eight to nine teeth and a pilus dentilis, movable digit with two teeth.

Spermatheca ( Figure 4D , Table 2). Calyx bowl-shaped, atrium nodular, stalk barely discernable between calyx and atrium.

Legs ( Figure 4E , Table 2). Only St IV present. Chaetotaxy of genu II: 2-2/0, 2/0-1, genu III: 1-2/1, 2/0-1.

Male (n = 5)

Dorsum ( Table 2). Dorsal shield pattern as in female. All setae smooth, except for S4, S5, Z4 and Z5, faintly serrate.

Peritreme. Extending to level between j3 and z2.

Venter ( Figure 4F , Table 2). Ventrianal shield subtriangular, reticulate with three pairs of preanal setae, a pair of very small pores, almost posterior to JV2.

Spermatodactyl ( Figure 4G , Table 2). L-shaped. Legs ( Table 2). Macroseta St IV pointed. Chaetotaxy of genua II and III same as in female.

Remarks

The male is described here for the first time.

Species group cucumeris , species subgroup cucumeris Chant and McMurtry 2003

Figures

Figure 4. Neoseiulus rambami. (A) Dorsal view; (B) ventral view; (C) chelicera; (D) spermatheca; (E) leg IV; (F) male ventrianal shield; (G) male spermatodactyl.