Eriophyidae

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 : 69

Eriophyidae , Phyllocoptinae , Phyllocoptini

194 Rhombacus eucalypti Ghosh & Chakrabarti, 1987: 52 .

Type host. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae) .

Type locality. Hoomgarth , Midnapore, West Bengal, India .

Additional host plant and localities in Brazil. On Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. , Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill. and Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (Myrtaceae) ( Flechtmann & Santana 2001), Paraná; on Eucalyptus urograndis = (hybrid of Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis ) ( Myrtaceae ): Mogi Guaçu ( Flechtmann 2004c), São Paulo.

Relationship to host plant. Vagrants on the leaf under surface ( Ghosh & Chakrabarti 1987).

Remarks. In Brazil this vagrant mite was observed on both sides of leaves although mainly on the lower surface and petioles of various Eucalyptus spp. Infested E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis exhibited malformation of new leaves, which became coriaceous and brittle, followed by early leaf drop. The total leaf area was greatly reduced ( Flechtmann & Santana 2001). No damage was observed on infested E. grandis ( Flechtmann & Santana 2001) and E. grandis x E. urophylla (hybrid) ( De Queiroz & Flechtmann 2011).

Type host plant status. Perennial tree, exotic, cultivated for the production of wood, and it is also used in reforestation to obtain firewood, cellulose for paper and essential oil ( Lorenzi et al. 2003).

Additional host plant status in Brazil. E. camaldulensis — exotic tree, cultivated for wood production, it is also indicated for reforestation, afforestation of paths, roads and for windbreaker. It is one of the most cultivated Eucalyptus species in Brazil ( Lorenzi et al. 2003); E. grandis —perennial tree, exotic, indicated for reforestation and planting in flooded places and fixation of river banks by deep roots. It is also cultivated for the production of wood ( Lorenzi et al. 2003); E. tereticornis — perennial tree, exotic, used for reforestation ( Lorenzi et al. 2003).