Aceria sylvestrae sp. nov. (Fig. 9; photo 13)

Female: (n=3) Body worm-like, 136 long; prodorsal shield 22 long, 30 wide, anterior lobe present; prodorsal shield design with several short lines, median lines absent, admedian complete; scapular tubercles set at prodorsal shield rear margin, setae (sc) 18 long, directed backward, sct-sct 18 apart; leg segments normal, foretibial seta (1') 6 long, set at half; 1st coxal setae (1b) 7 long, 1bt-1bt 6 apart, 2nd coxal setae (1a) 7 long, 1at- 1at 9 apart, 3rd coxal setae (2a) 10 long, 2at-2at 19 apart; solenidion ending as knob; empodium simple, 5- rayed.

Opisthosoma: with about 84 microtuberculate rings; first 3 rings 4 long; lateral setae (c2) 12 long, c2t-c 2t 39 apart, c 2t \d t 40, c2t-dt 22; 1st ventral setae (d) 21 long, dt-dt 30 apart, dt\et 34, dt-et 26; 2nd ventral setae (e) 16 long, et-et 19 apart, et\ft 34, et-ft 31; 3rd ventral setae (f) 13 long, ft-ft 15 apart; setae h1 present.

Coverflap: 17 wide, 9 long, with about 14 longitudinal lines, basal area with granules, genital setae (3a) 6 long, 3at-3at 13 apart.

Male: not seen.

Type data: Holotype, female, Neihu, Taipei; 2-Jan.-1996, M. M. Yang; ex. Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poiret (Elaeocarpaceae) . Paratypes, 2 females, with same data as holotype.

Relation to host: Mites form irregular galls on the upper leaf surface.

Note: This new species resembles A. delhiensis (Mohanasundaram, 1982) but differs in submedian lines with broken lines and coxal area with granules.

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

PHOTO 13. Galls on upper leaf surface of Elaeocarpus sylvestris caused by Aceria sylvestrae sp. nov.