Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) theroni Ueckermann & Loots

Ueckermann, Edward A., Zannou, Ignace D., De Moraes, Gilberto J., Oliveira, Anibal R., Hanna, Rachid & Yaninek, John S., 2008, Phytoseiid mites of the tribe Typhlodromini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 1901 (1), pp. 1-122 : 97-99

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) theroni Ueckermann & Loots

( Fig. 48 )

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) theroni Ueckermann & Loots, 1988: 57 ; Moraes et al., 2004: 354; Chant & McMurtry, 2007: 157.

Amblydromella (Aphanoseius) theroni, Denmark & Welbourn, 2002: 309 .

FEMALE. Specimens measured— Namibia: Holotype and 1 paratype; South Africa: 1 paratype; Zimbabwe: 5 paratypes. Idiosomal setal pattern 12A:8A/JV:ZV.

Dorsum. Dorsal shield 317 (295–332) [325] long and 175 (166–186) [186] wide, reticulate anteriorly to Z4 and striate posteriorly to the latter. With 5 pairs of solenostomes not indicated in fig. 48A. Setae j1 20 (18– 24) [19], j3 26 (24–28) [26], j4 21 (16–25) [16], j5 21 (17–24) [18], j6 26 (22–30) [25], J2 32 (25–37) [28], J5 10 (9–11) [10], z2 20 (18–24) [20], z3 26 (24–29) [27], z4 28 (24–32) [27], z5 23 (19–27) [21], Z4 46 (41–50) [44], Z5 55 (50–60) [52], s4 30 (26–33) [30], s6 34 (30–40) [33], S2 37 (31–40) [33], S4 35 (33–39) [33], S5 19 (16–21) [19], r3 25 (22–28) [26], R1 25 (22–28) [26]. Setae smooth and sharp-tipped, except Z4 and Z5, serrate.

Peritreme. Extending to level of j1.

Venter. Sternal shield smooth, with 2 pairs of setae (ST3 on separate shields); posterior margin with a median lobe; distances between ST1–ST3 59 (56–62) [59], ST2–ST2 51 (47–54) [48]. Genital shield smooth; distance between ST5–ST5 55 (51–60) [54]. Ventrianal shield smooth, pentagonal, with anterior margin slightly concave, 103 (93–116) [102] long, 72 (67–79) [79] wide at level of ZV2, 67 (62–72) [67] wide at level of anus, with 4 pairs of pre-anal setae (seta JV3 present; with one member of ZV2 off the shield); round pre-anal pores posterior to and longitudinally aligned with JV2. With 2 pairs of metapodal shields. Caudoventral setae smooth and sharp-tipped.

Chelicera. Movable digit 24 (24–26) [24] long, with 3 teeth; fixed digit 22 (21–24) [22] long, with 4 teeth.

Spermatheca. Calyx saccular, 16 (13–18) [17] long; atrium small, between calyx and major duct.

Legs. Macroseta knobbed; St IV 25 (23–28) [23]. Chaetotaxy: genu II: 2-2/0, 2/0-1or 2-2/1, 2/0-1 on one leg in holotype; genu III: 1-2/1, 2/0-1.

Specimens examined. Namibia: Holotype female and 1 paratype female, Kuseb River, Gobabeb, on Pechuel -loeschea leubnitziae, 11-II-1980, P.D. Theron. South Africa: 1 paratype female, Kwazulu / Natal, farm Wekom near Ngweni, on Xeromphis obovata , 21-VIII-1980, M.K.P. Smith Meyer. Zimbabwe: 2 paratype females, 13 km from Shamva to Harare, on Maerua pubescens , 7-XI-1969, W.G. Duncombe; 3 paratype females, 11 km from Que Que to Gatooma, on Ximenia caffra , 30-X-1969, W.G. Duncombe.

World distribution. Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Figures

FIGURE 48. Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) theroni Ueckermann & Loots (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Chelicera; D. Spermatheca; E. Leg IV.