Eriophyes bennetti, Xue & Zhang, 2008

Xue, Xiao-Feng & Zhang, Zhi-Qiang, 2008, New Zealand Eriophyoidea (Acari: Prostigmata): an update with descriptions of one new genus and six new species, Zootaxa 1962 (1), pp. 1-32 : 11-14

Eriophyes bennetti sp. nov.

( Figs 6 & 7 )

Description. FEMALE: (n = 4) Body vermiform, 168 (164–172), 33 (33–35) wide, 34 (34–35) thick; light yellow. Gnathosoma 11 (11–12), projecting obliquely down, pedipalp coxal seta (ep) 3 (3–4), dorsal pedipalp genual seta (d) 5 (5–6), cheliceral stylets 10 (9–10). Prodorsal shield semicircular, 21 (20–21), 28 (27–28) wide, with many granules laterally; anterior shield lobe absent; median line discontinuous, admedian lines complete and concaved at basal 1/4, submedian lines incomplete, median, admedian and submedian lines parallel. Scapular tubercles near rear margin, 10 (10–11) apart, scapular setae (sc) 5 (5–6) projecting forward. Coxal plates with granules; anterolateral setae on coxisternum І (1b) 5 (5–6), 6 (6–7) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum І (1a) 12 (10–12), 4 (4–5) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum І (2a) 23 (22–23), 12 (12–13) apart. Prosternal apodeme absent. Legs with usual series of setae. Legs І 23 (22–35), femur 6 (6–7), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 6 (6–7); genu 4 (3–4), antaxial genual seta (l'') 13 (13–17); tibia 5 (5–6), paraxial tibial seta (l') 3 (3–4), seta located 1/3 from proximal tibial margin; tarsus 5 (4–5), seta ft'' as long as seta ft', seta u' short; tarsal empodium (em) 4 (4–5), simple, 4-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 5 (4–5), knobbed. Legs І 20 (19–22), femur 5 (5–6), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 5 (5–6); genu 3 (3–4), antaxial genual seta (l'') 5 (5–6); tibia 4 (4–5); tarsus 5 (4–5), seta ft'' as long as seta ft', seta u' short; tarsal empodium (em) 4 (4–5), simple, 4- rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 5 (4–5), knobbed. Opisthosoma: opisthosoma dorsally with 75 (71–82) annuli, with elongate microtubercles, ventrally with 79 (73–80) annuli, with elongate microtubercles. Setae c2 10 (10–12) on ventral annulus 9 (8–9), 31 (30–31) apart; setae d 13 (13–14) on ventral annulus 30 (28–31), 21 (20–21) apart; setae e 6 (6–7) on ventral annulus 45 (44–49), 10 (9–10) apart, setae f 12 (12–13) on 6th ventral annulus from rear, 16 (15–16) apart. Setae h1 absent. Female genitalia 8 (8–9), 13 (12–13) wide, coverflap with 6 (6–8) longitudinal ridges and 3 transverse lines at base, proximal setae on coxisternum ІІ (3a) 5 (5–6), 8 (7–8) apart.

MALE: Unknown.

Type material. Holotype, female (marked H), from Fuchsia excorticata (Onagraceae) , junction of West Coast Rd & Scenic Drive, Waitakere Range, Auckland, New Zealand, 10 February 2001, coll. N.A. Martin. Paratypes, 3 females, on the same slide with the same data as holotype. Specimens deposited in NZAC.

Additional plant material with similar leaf damage and associated mites were found at Hinewai reserve, Banks Peninsula, Mid-Canterbury, New Zealand, 1 November 2001 (N.A. Martin, personal communications).

Relation to host. Vagrant on leaf surface. Leaves were distorted and wrinkled, possibly damaged by the mites while the leaves were young.

Etymology. This species is named after Mr. Shaun J. Bennett (Plant Health & Environment Laboratory, Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, MAF Biosecurity, Auckland, New Zealand).

Differential diagnosis. This species is similar to Eriophyes plaginus Manson, 1984 , but can be differentiated from the latter by the following features: 1) median line present (median line absent in E. plaginus ), 2) coxal plates with granules (coxal plates smooth in E. plaginus ), 3) female genital coverflap with 6 to 8 longitudinal ridges (female genital coverflap smooth in E. plaginus ) and 4) setae h1 absent (setae h1 present in E. plaginus ).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Eriophyes bennetti sp. nov. D, dorsal view of female; CG, coxae and female genitalia; L1, leg І; L2, leg І.

FIGURE 7. Eriophyes bennetti sp. nov. L, lateral view of female; LO, lateral microtubercles; em, empodium.