Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) astibus 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 : 15

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) astibus Ueckermann & Loots

( Fig. 5 )

Typhlodromus (Seiulus) astibus Ueckermann & Loots, 1984: 308 .

Amblydromella (Aphanoseia) astibus, Denmark & Welbourn, 2002: 308 .

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) astibus, Moraes et al., 2004: 310 ; Chant & McMurtry, 2007: 152.

FEMALE. ( Specimens measured— Namibia: holotype, 1 paratype; Cape Verde: 4 females). Idiosomal setal pattern 12A:8A/JV:ZV .

Dorsum. Dorsal shield 324 (315–333) [315] long and 167 (146–184) [155] wide; incompletely covered with striae and reticulations. With 5 pairs of solenostomes. Setae j1 18 (16–19) [16], j3 27 (24–30) [25], j4 23 (18–26) [19], j5 24 (21–28) [21], j6 37 (32–44) [32], J2 44 (35–53) [40], J5 12 (11–13) [11], z2 20 (16–21) [16], z3 30 (26–32) [26], z4 31 (28–35) [31], z5 29 (20–29) [24], Z4 48 (39–55) [43], Z5 43 (41–45) [45], s4 35 (33–36) [33], s6 35 (33–37) [33], S2 42 (37–46) [41], S4 42 (36–48) [37], S5 36 (33–42) [33], r3 29 (26– 33) [30], R1 36 (33–40) [34]; Setae smooth and sharp-tipped, except Z5, serrate.

Peritreme. Extending to level of j1.

Venter. Sternal shield smooth, with 2 pairs of setae (ST3 on separate shields); posterior margin convex; distances between ST1-St3 62 (59–67) [59], ST2-ST2 47 (46–49) [46]. Genital shield smooth; distance between ST5-ST5 49 (46–53) [48]. Ventrianal shield smooth, vase-shaped, with anterior margin slightly convex, 102 (91–110) [102] long, 55 (47–63) [56] wide at level of ZV2, 55 (46–63) [47] wide at level of anus, with 4 pairs of pre-anal setae; round pre-anal pores posteromesad of JV2. With 2 pairs of metapodal shields. Caudoventral setae smooth and sharp-tipped.

Chelicera. Movable digit 19 (18–20) long, with 1 tooth; fixed digit 20 (20–21) long, with 4 teeth.

Spermatheca. Calyx distally bulged next to atrium, followed by a slender tube that flares toward the vesicle, 21 (18–24) [24] long; atrium bulbous.

Legs. Macroseta knobbed; St IV 20 (18–22) [19]. Chaetotaxy: genu II: 2-2/1, 2/0-1; genu III: 1-2/1, 2/0-1.

Specimens examined. Namibia: Holotype and 1 paratype female, Gobabeb, on Ficus sp. , 9-III-1980, P.D. Theron; 1 female, Naukluft National Park , on Ficus sycomorus , 22-IV-1992, S. Neser; Cape Verde Islands: 3 females, Sao Jorge, on F. sycomorus , 25-VIII-1983, A. Van Harten.

Remarks. This species cannot be placed in any of the species groups of Chant & McMurtry (1994). Ueckermann & Loots (1984) considered R1 as S1, which is not present in the Phytoseiidae .

World distribution. Namibia and Cape Verde Islands.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) astibus Ueckermann & Loots (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Chelicera; D. Spermatheca; E. Leg IV.