C. H. W. Flechtmann

A new genus and species of Acaridae (Acari) phoretic on Thectochlora alaris (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini) from South America

Abstract A new genus and species of mite, Thectochloracarus neotropicalis gen. and sp. nov. (Acari: Acaridae), is described and figured from the deutonymphal stage (= hypopus). The mite is phoretic on the augochlorine bee, Thectochlora alaris (Vachal) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini), collected in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana and Paraguay. The mites were found in a well developed acarinarium present on the anterior lower third of the first metasomal tergum of female bees. The modification of the bees morphology for the transport of phoretic instars indicates an association between the mites and the bees which is probably mutualistic.

First report of Aceria litchii (Keifer) (prostigmata: eriophyidae) on litchi trees in Brazil

The litchi erinose mite, Aceria litchii, is reported for the first time in Brazil in the central region of the State of Sao Paulo, causing severe damage to newly developed leaves and fruits. This species was listed as an A1 quarantine pest in Brazil.

Phoretic mites (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) associated with the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes (Apidae: Tetrapediini)

Solitary bees of the genus Tetrapedia have a specific association with mites of the genus Roubikia (Chaetodactylidae). These mites are frequently found attached to active Tetrapedia bees. We quantified the number of mites on individuals of Tetrapedia diversipes Klug and examined the interaction between these species. Nests of T. diversipes were obtained from trap-nests placed in four localities in São Paulo, Brazil. The study lasted from March 2007 to February 2009. Out of a total of 650 nests with emergences, 118 were infested with mites (Roubikia sp.). From these nests, 176 individuals of T. diversipes emerged with mites on their bodies. Additionally, six individuals of Coelioxoides waltheriae, the specific kleptoparasitic bee to T. diversipes, emerged. Mites were attached mainly to the mesosoma. All nests infected with mites did not presented mortality of the immature. The mortality rate of nests was inversely related to the level of mite infestation, suggesting a mutualistic interaction in which mites may remove fungi from the nests, while the bees would provide the mites with transport, dispersal, and shelter.

Eriophyid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) from mango, Mangifera indica L., in Brazil

Abstract Neocalacarus mangiferae Channabasavanna, Tegonotus mangiferae (Keifer) and Spinacus pagonis Keifer are collected for the first time in Brazil. Neocalacarus mangiferae and T. mangiferae females are redescribed. Males of Neocalacarus mangiferae, T. mangiferae and Aceria mangiferae Sayed and the protogyne of Cisaberoptus kenyae Keifer are described for the first time.

Complementary description of Colomerus novahebridensis Keifer (Acari, Eriophyidae), with a discussion about the constitution of the genus and its economic importance, and a tentative key to Colomerus Newkirk & Keifer species.

Abstract Colomerus Newkirk & Keifer, 1971 is an eriophyid genus described by Newkirk and Keifer about 43 years ago, that contains species from all continents, except Antarctica. They live mostly on dicotyledonous plants. Colomerus novahebridensis Keifer, 1977 was described from coconut (Cocos nucifera L., Arecaceae) fruits from Vanuatu. A description of a Thai population of this species is given in this paper. A revised characterization of Colomerus and a dichotomous key for the separation of the species presently considered to belong to this genus are provided, and a consideration about the importance of Colomerus species is presented.

Taspinus Chandrapatya, 1991, a junior synonym of Spinacus Keifer, 1979 (Acari: Eriophyidae)

Abstract The genus Taspinus Chandrapatya, 1991, is synonymized with the genus Spinacus Keif er, 1979.Spinacus pagonis (= T. mangiferus Chandrapatya) is redescribed and its male is described for the first time.

A new genus and two new species of eriophyoid mites from conifers in Brazil.

Abstract Glossilus cryptomerius n. gen., n. sp. from Cryptomeria japonica D. Don (Taxodiaceae) and Trisetacus calvus n. sp. from Cupressus sempervirens L. (Cupressaceae) are described. These were collected in São Paulo State, Brazil. Trisetacus viator Flechtmann & Navia, 1998 is reassigned to Setoptus.

New eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) from cultivated plants from northeastern Brazil, including the second taxon in the Prothricinae

Two new genera and three new species of eriophyoid mites are described from cultivated plants from northeastern Brazil, including native or introduced ornamental species widely used in urban landscapes. A new genus and a new species are described in the family Phytoptidae, Neoprothrix hibiscus gen. nov., sp. nov. from the flowering shrub Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. This taxon represents the second genus and the second species to be described in the subfamily Prothricinae. A new genus and two new species are described in the family Eriophyidae both from Brazilian ornamental trees, Auriculatus clitoria gen. nov., sp. nov. from Clitoria fairchildiana and Thamnacus paubrasil sp nov. from Caesalpinia echinata. In addition, the Eriophyidae Tegolophus indica Chakrabarti and Mondal from the fruit tree Artocarpus heterophyllus, is redescribed including a description of the male. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:881522D7-5288-49B4-9C34-B3E316ABEE20

A new species of Schizotetranychus (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) from the Chilean fauna, with a few remarkable morphological features

Abstract Schizotetranychus tegophallos sp.nov., from papyrus sedge (Cyperus involucratus Rottb., Cyperaceae) from Santiago, Chile, is described and figured. The genital stylets of the male, palpal tarsus tactile setae and chaetotaxy of leg IV trochanter in deutonymphs are discussed.

Two new species of spider mites (Acari : Tetranychidae) from Brazil, with remarks on the pseudanal setae in the Bryobiinae

Abstract Two new species of spider mites, Schizonobiella uncata n.sp. and Schizonobia megaperitremata n.sp., are described from Brazil. The presence of only 2 pairs of pseudanal setae (and 1 pair of preanals) in various members of the Bryobiinaeis discussed.