Eutetranychus africanus ( Tucker, 1926 )

Toroitich, Faith J., Ueckermann, Edward A., Theron, Pieter D. & Knapp, Markus, 2009, The tetranychid mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) of Kenya and a redescription of the species Peltanobia erasmusi Meyer (Acari: Tetranychidae) based on males, Zootaxa 2176, pp. 33-47 : 39

Eutetranychus africanus ( Tucker, 1926)

Anychus africanus Tucker, 1926

Dorsal setae of this species serrate, sub-spatulate borne on tubercles. Dorsocentral setae c1, d1, e1 and f1 half the length of corresponding dorso-laterals c2, d2, e2 and f2 which are long and slender. Body measurements are 500µm long and 360µm wide.

Leg chaetotaxy as follows: tarsi 15(2)-13(1)-10(1)-10(1); tibiae 9(1)-6-6-7; genua 5-5-2-2; femora 8-6-3- 1; coxae 2-2-1-1.

Specimens examined: Five females from Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae) in Shimba Hills, Kwale district ( S04°20.121'; E039°28.877'); 8 females and 1 male on Harrisonia abyssinica (Simaroubaceae) from Muhaka, Kwale district ( S04°10.611'; E039°26.852') and 13 specimens on Cadiaeum variegatum (Euphorbiaceae) from Shimba Hills, Kwale ( S04°20.913'; E039°19.688').

Remarks: This species is distributed in the Afrotropical, Australasian and Oriental regions and has been recorded on oranges, lemons, frangipani and a variety of other host plants. It was first described on oranges, lemons ( Rutaceae ) and frangipani ( Apocynaceae ) from South Africa ( Tucker, 1926). In the field this species appear dull grey in colour.