Phyllocoptes

Navia, Denise, Duarte, Mercia Elias & Flechtmann, Carlos H. W., 2021, Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) from Brazil: an annotated checklist, Zootaxa 4997 (1), pp. 1-152 : 32

Phyllocoptes .

Synonyms.

Aculus malivagrans ( Keifer, 1946a)

Aculus malus (Zaher & Abou-Awad, 1979)

Type host. Malus silvestris L. ( Rosaceae )

Type locality. Rotha bei Leipzig, und Linz am Rhein, Germany .

Host plant and localities reports in Brazil. On Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae) , Vacaria (S 28’ 34.540, W 050’ 52.153) ( Ferla et al. 2018), Rio Grande do Sul.

Relationship to host plants. Vagrants, feeding induces russeting/bronzing of the surface of leaves, fruit and flowers (Nalepa 1890; Duso et al. 2010). Apple leaf lamina can be rolled up longitudinally and, along with fruit, can fall prematurely in cases of high infestations ( Jeppson et al. 1975; Easterbrook 1996). Although preferring the undersurface of leaves, many mites can be found on the upper surface when density increases ( Easterbrook 1978).

Remarks. Officially regulated as a ‘Quarantine Pest—Absent to Brazil’, by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA 2008) until its first report in Brazil in 2018. This species, commonly known as Apple Rust Mite, can damage apples in Europe and North America; outbreaks are recorded especially in European regions where susceptible cultivars are cultivated. Depending on the cultivar, environmental and agricultural factors, the infestation affects flower formation and the quality of apple yield (fresh fruit weight, soluble carbohydrate content and skin color intensity) ( Angeli et al. 2007; Duso et al. 2008; 2010).

Type host plant status. Exotic fruit tree, cultivated mostly in South and Southeast Regions ( Lorenzi et al. 2006).

070 * Aculus solani Boczek & Davis, 1984: 208 .

Type host. Solanum nigrum L. ( Solanaceae ).

Type locality. Piracicaba , São Paulo, Brazil .

Relationship to host plant. Vagrants on both surfaces of leaves ( Boczek & Davis 1984).

Remark. Only known from the type host/locality.

Type host plant status. Exotic herb, invasive (SiBBr 2020).

071 * Aculus verrucosus Flechtmann, 1996: 117 .

Type host. Croton lundianus (Didr.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) .

Type locality. Parque Nacional do Itatiaia , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil .

Relationship to host plant. Vagrants on the lower leaf surface causing bronzing or rust ( Flechtmann 1996).

Remarks. Only known from the type host/locality. Sympatric and synechotonous with Cosella callipodex Flechtmann, 1996 ; due to that, the authors consider that A. verrucosus could be a deutogyne of C. callipodex .

Type host plant status. Native herb or subshrub, not endemic, widely distributed in Amazônia , Caatinga , Cerrado , Mata Atlântica and Pantanal biomes ( Flora do Brasil 2020) .