Diptilomiopus candidus, Huang, Kun-Wei & Wang, Chin-Fah, 2009

Huang, Kun-Wei & Wang, Chin-Fah, 2009, Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) of Taiwan: thirty-seven species from Yangmingshan, including one new genus and twenty-two new species, Zootaxa 1986, pp. 1-50 : 40

Diptilomiopus candidus sp. nov. ( Fig. 18 ; Pl. 6 C, D)

Female: Body fusiform, 145 long, shield 37 long, 63 wide, shield lobe present, shield with wax, design with network of cells, with a tier of 12 cells along anterolateral shield margin, 5 cells occurring in middle, 2 cells on rear of shield; scapular tubercles and setae (sc) absent; leg segment genua absent from both legs, fore tibial and fore and hind femoral setae absent; coxal area smooth; 1st coxal tubercle and setae (1b) absent, 2nd coxal setae (1a) 23 long, Ct2-Ct2 7 apart, 3rd coxal setae (2a) 35 long, Ct3-Ct3 25 apart, Ct2\Ct3 17, Ct2-Ct3 11; claw ending as knob; empodium divided, 4 rayed.

Opisthosoma: dorsum with wax, with median ridge, dorsal annuli with about 66 microtuberculate rings, 1st 3 dorsal annuli 5 long, ventral annuli with about 84 microtuberculate rings; lateral tubercle and setae absent; 1st ventral setae (d) 20 long, Vt1-Vt1 39 apart, Vt1\Vt2 42, Vt1-Vt2 31; 2nd ventral setae (e) 11 long, Vt2-Vt2 21 apart, Vt2\Vt3 40, Vt2-Vt3 32; 3rd ventral setae (f) 32 long, Vt3-Vt3 27 apart; accessory setae (h1) present.

Epigynium: 26 wide, 17 long, smooth, genital setae (3a) 7 long, Gt-Gt 17 apart.

Male: not seen.

Type data: Holotype Ψ, Taipei: Yangmingshan (675m; N25°10´E121°34´), 18-Aug.-1999, Huang & Wang; ex Melastoma candidum D. Ron (Melastomataceae) . (deposited at NMNS). Paratypes, 3Ψ, data same as for holotype.

Relation to host: A vagrant on the lower leaf surface. No apparent damage was observed.

Remarks: This new species is close to D. cuminis Chakrabarti et al., 1992 by the shield design with 12 cells along the anterolateral shield margin. This new species differs from D. cuminis by the following characters: the smooth coxal area, and the 4-rayed empodium.

Etymology: The specific designation is derived from the specific name of the type host plant.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Diptilomiopus candidus sp. nov. (Ψ). A, Dorsal view; B, Legs and genital region, ventral view; C, Detail of some annuli in lateral view; D, Fore and hind legs. (scale A, B, C, D = 50 μm).