Berlesia hospitabilis, Lindquist & Oconnor & Shaw & Sidorchuk, 2020

Lindquist, Evert E., Oconnor, Barry M., Shaw, Matthew D. & Sidorchuk, Ekaterina A., 2020, Review of the genera Berlesia Canestrini, 1884, and Katydiseius Fain & Lukoschus 1983, the subfamily Katydiseiinae Fain & Lukoschus, 1983, and their family group relationships (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina), with description of three new species parasitic on gryllacridid crickets (Orthoptera), Zootaxa 4857 (1), pp. 5-70 : 9-18

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4857.1.4
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F0AF75AD-BAE2-4B7D-9CCB-3D9477F350BD
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4396470
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E2879C-4F41-FF86-FF66-AFC6FBF8D0CF
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Berlesia hospitabilis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Berlesia hospitabilis new species

( Figures 1–6 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 , 18 View FIGURE 18 , 19 View FIGURE 19 , 21 View FIGURE 21 )

Berlesia , undescribed species, host of Podapolipus gryllacridi Lindquist & Sidorchuk, 2019 .

Diagnosis

Adult: dorsal shield faintly reticulated posteriorly, smooth elsewhere, with irregular indication of lateral incisions at level of setae s6; setae j1, mid-dorsals (j4–j6, z5, J1–J3) and J4 very short (e.g., j4 about one-fourth as long as interval between j4 and j5); dorsal shield setae j3 and z4 moderately long, but shorter than diagonal interval between them, and shorter than transverse interval between j3; setae z1 and J2 absent. Dorsolateral margins of idiosoma with setae of r-R and S series sparse, not hypertrichous. Soft ventral cuticle with 7 and 6 pairs of opisthogastric setae on female and male, respectively. Leg I genu and tibia each with 12 setae, pd-3 absent, av-2 present. Tarsus IV with seta pv-1 asymmetrically shorter but similar in attenuated form to av-1. Peritremes simple, not elaborated with internal cellular structure.

Description

Adult: Idiosomatic dorsum. Adult female ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Idiosoma 550–730 long, 288–377 wide between insertions of setae r3; dorsal shield 507–550 long, greatest width 250–287 at level between insertions of s4 (n=4), faintly ornamented with subdermal reticula outlined by sparse puncta (mostly not evident in micrographs of surface structure); shield with irregular indication of lateral incisions at level of setae s6. Dorsal shield with usually 10 or 11 pairs (7 podonotal, 3 or 4 opisthonotal) of smooth setae of which s4 or Z5 asymmetrically on/off shield margin and J4 present or absent; setae j3 (58–75), z4 (67–85), s4 (70–85), Z5 (70–75) of similarly long lengths; other shield setae (j4–j6, z5, J1, J3, J4) tiny (5–12), occasionally asymmetrically rudimentary. Soft dorsal peripheral cuticle with tiny setae j1 (10–15) anteriorly, z2 (40–50), s6 (77–83) and r2, r3, r5 (50–70) anterolaterally, and Z2 (70–83), Z4 (80–85), S2 (55–67), S3 (62–68), S4 (72–83), S5 (75–90) and R1 (48–62) posterolaterally. Dorsal shield with complement of 15 pairs of discernible pore-like structures (5 podonotal, 10 opisthonotal), of which five pairs (two podonotal, three opisthonotal) superficially appear secretory (gland pores) and 10 pairs (three podonotal, seven opisthonotal) non-secretory (poroids).

Adult male ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Idiosoma 566–570 long, 322–330 wide between insertions of setae r3; dorsal shield 512–524 long, greatest width 350–358 at level between insertions of r5 (n=2), faintly ornamented and with irregular lateral incisions as in female, margins widened to hold setae j1 anteriorly and r2–r5, Z2, Z4, S2–S4 on lateral subcutaneous extensions. Dorsal shield with 21 or 22 pairs (13 podonotal, 8 or 9 opisthonotal) of smooth setae of which S3 asymmetrically present or absent; setae j1 (10–12), j4–j6, z5 (7–9), J1, J3, J4 (5–7) tiny as in female, occasionally asymmetrically rudimentary; other setal lengths j3 (30–37), z2 (14–18), z4 (47–50), s4 (65–71), s6 (55–60), r2 (25–28), r3 (28–30), r5 (43–45), Z2 (70–72), Z4 (62–67), Z5 (62–63), S2 (44–50), S3 (50–53), S4 (80–82). Soft dorsal peripheral cuticle with setae R1 (37–39) laterally and S5 (68–78) posteriorly. Dorsal shield with complement of ca 22 pairs of discernible pore-like structures (9 podonotal, 13 opisthonotal), many of which are difficult to discern whether secretory (gland pores) or non-secretory (poroids).

Idiosomatic venter. Adult female ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Tritosternum base 27–32 long and 22–27 wide at its base, with paired, shortly ciliated laciniae fused for about 8–15 of entire length (150–162) ( Fig. 1F View FIGURE 1 ). Presternal region without platelets. Sternal shield mid-length (75–82) much less than narrowest width (125–145) between legs II, unornamented; sternal setae st1, st2 attenuated, of similar length (53–62). Sternal setae st3, st4 similarly attenuated (45–57), with poroid iv3 on soft cuticle. Endopodal strips absent alongside coxae III–IV. Epigynal shield smooth, its rounded hyaline anterior margin reaching or slightly overlapping posterior edge of sternal shield, its lateral margins slightly widened at insertions of attenuated setae st5 (55–62), its posterior margin slightly convex; shield 198–220 long, 55–63 at narrowest width between legs IV, 68–75 at widest level at setae st5. Postgenital groove with elements of one pair of platelets widely separated at level behind paragenital poroids. Opisthosomatic venter with two pairs of small baculiform platelets, longitudinal metapodal platelets 27–34 long, 5–7 wide and nearly transversal postgenital platelets. Anal shield subrhomboidal, unornamented; shield greatest width (118–135) slightly less than length (128–160, including cribrum 12–15), cribrum width 43–50; postanal seta (52–65) about 1.5 longer than paranal setae (35–40) inserted in line with posterior margin of anus. Soft cuticle with seven pairs of opisthogastric setae flanking anal shield, JV1 (40–43), JV2 (38–45), ZV1 (35–40), ZV2 (32–40) anteriorly and JV3 (32–38), ZV3 (27–32), JV5 (52–60) posterolaterally; of three pairs of pore-like structures on soft cuticle, paranal gland pores well separated from lateral margins of anal shield. Peritrematal shield and peritreme extending barely to mid-level of coxae III; peritreme structure simple, without embellished internal chambers ( Fig. 1J View FIGURE 1 ), its length 52–55, including stigmatal diameter of ca 15; peritrematal shield continuous posteriorly with short exopodal strip extending partly around posterior margin of coxa IV. Exopodal elements absent alongside coxae II–IV. Spermathecal apparatus with simple, elongate (65–75) tubulus leading from solenostome in soft cuticle between bases of legs III–IV to an unpaired sacculus ( Fig. 1K View FIGURE 1 ).

Adult male ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ). Tritosternum formed as in female, with laciniae fused for only about one-tenth of entire length (125–140). Presternal region with a pair of platelets preceding genital opening. Sternitigenital shield length 255, narrowest widths 115 at level between coxae II, 100 between coxae III; posterior margin width 63; shield unornamented, narrowly connected to anterior edge of endopodal strips beside coxae IV; alveoli of setae st5 barely contiguous with rounded posterolateral corners of shield; setae st1–st5 attenuated as in female, st4 (26–30) clearly shorter than others (42–50). Paragenital poroids on soft cuticle flanking posterolateral corners of sternitigenital shield. Postgenital groove not developed. Inguinal region with five or six pairs of sigilla indicating unusual muscular development connected with deeply retractable bases of chelicerae.Anal shield similar in rhomboid form, lack of ornamentation as in female, its anterior and lateral apices more irregular; shield longer (136–138, including cribrum ca 12 long) than wide (118–120, cribrum width 45–50); postanal seta (62–65) nearly twice as long as paranal setae (28–37). Soft cuticle with six pairs of opisthogastric setae flanking anal shield, ZV1 absent (present on female); other than JV5, these setae much shorter than in female; JV1 (23–30), JV2 (18–25), JV3 (29–32), ZV2 and ZV3 tiny (7–8), JV5 (49–57); six pairs of pore-like structures evident on soft cuticle, paranal gland pores well separated from lateral margins of anal shield. Peritremes, and peritrematal shield with brief poststigmatal exopodal extension, as in female.

Gnathosoma . Adult female. Gnathotectum anterior margin with a single smooth, medial anterior projection extending from a convex margin which smooth or slightly serrate at base of projection ( Figs 1G, H View FIGURE 1 ). Cheliceral shaft, excluding basal section, 175–178 long; fixed digit with truncated apex bearing two or three tiny serrae, alveolar remnant of pilus dentilis, and minute subapical tooth; movable digit (33–35) with three coarse teeth flared laterally ( Figs 1C, D View FIGURE 1 ). Subcapitulum with 11 to 13 rows of deutosternal denticles, each similarly narrow, with a single denticle ( Fig. 1E View FIGURE 1 ); subcapitular setae hp1 (76–80) and hp3 (82–90) similar in attenuated lengths, hp2 (22–27) and capitular setae pc (20) similarly short, but pc strongly bulbiform basally. Corniculi somewhat hyaline, blade-like, narrowly rounded apically, moderately long (50–52), but exceeded by elongated tubular salivary stylets (70–80) and even longer, slender, finely fimbriated internal malae (80–90). Palp length 155–162; palptrochanter setae dissimilar in length, v1 53–63, v2 17–20; palpus with femoral seta al-1 and genual setae al-1, al-2 blunt, not spatulate; palpfemoral seta d (31–35) slightly spine-like, nearly as long as femur; palptarsal apotele two-tined ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 L–N).

Adult male. Gnathotectum with simple anterior margin as in female, but sides more angular, leading to single median projection ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ). Cheliceral shaft, excluding short basal section ca 130 long, including fixed digit projection; fixed digit straight, more slender and pointed than in female; movable digit reduced, except for greatly elongated, sinuous spermatodactyl 375–430 long, its base extending anteroventrally beyond apex of fixed digit, gradually narrowing apically, without elaborations ( Figs 3B View FIGURE 3 , 18A View FIGURE 18 , 19B View FIGURE 19 ). Unlike female, corniculi shorter (25–26), more truncated apically, greatly exceeded by elongated salivary styli (96–100), and capitular setae pc setiform ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ). Form and length of other gnathosomatic structures much as in female: internal malae (115–134); setae hp1 (ca 50) and hp3 (70–76) much longer than hp2 and pc (16–18); deutosternum with 11–12 rows of single or rarely doubled denticles. Palp length 150–152. Form and length of palpal setae as in female.

Legs. Adult female ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 A–K). Legs I (462–500) nearly as long as legs IV (495–537), and about 0.9 as long as dorsal shield; other leg lengths (excluding pretarsi): II (395–427), III (405–440). Leg I pretarsus (40–45) to apex of pulvillus, tarsus (125–137) about 1.7–2.1 longer than each of the similarly long femur (73–80), genu (60–65), and tibia (65–70). Legs II–IV with tarsus/tibia length ratios about 1.8–2.1. Complement of setae on leg segments holotrichous for femora I-II-III-IV (12-11-6-6) as presented for the genus; chaetotactic formulae for genua I-II-III-IV: 12 (2-3/2, 2/1-2), 11 (2-3/1, 2/1-2), 9 (2-2/1, 2/1-1), 10 (2-2/1, 3/1-1); tibiae: 12 (2-3/2, 2/1-2), 10 (2-2/1, 2/1-2), 8 (2-1/1, 2/1-1), 10 (2-1/1, 3/1-2); genu I and tibia I without pd-3; tibia III without pl-2. Tarsus I with seta md (65–70) longer than other setae on basal half of segment ( Fig. 2G View FIGURE 2 ); dorsal subapical cluster of sensory structures with a row of four, tightly adjacent, tiny, pointed setae surrounded by three solenidia, one of which biramous ( Figs 2J, K View FIGURE 2 ). Tarsi II–IV with a finely serrated ventroapical ridge basal to a short, rounded process ( Figs 2E, F View FIGURE 2 ), and with setae (d-1) (10–15) nearly half as long as pretarsus to base of claws (22–30). Coxal seta av on leg I and pv on legs II, III strongly bulbiform like subcapitular pc ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 A–C); coxa IV seta v setiform ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Trochanters II–IV with basal seta pv-2 attenuated (50–55), and III–IV ad slightly spinelike. Femur IV with seta v large, spine-like (40). Tarsus IV with apical seta pv-1 asymmetrically shorter, but not thicker than av-1 ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ). Legs I–IV each with particular dorsal setae enlarged, spinelike: I Fe ad-1 (55–62), pd-1 (37–42); I Ge ad-1 (50–52), pd-1 (55–57); II Fe ad-1 (60–65), pd- 1 (55–60); II Ge ad-1 (34–35), pd-1 (55–60); II Ti pd-1 (29); III Fe ad-1 (45–52); III Ge ad-1 (55–60), pd-1 (60–63); III Ti ad (55), pd-1 (61); IV Fe ad-1 (50–66); IV Ge ad-1 (62–70), pd-1 (65–70); IV Ti ad-1 (52–55), pd-1 (57–60). Relative lengths of other leg setae as shown in Figures 2 View FIGURE 2 A–G.

Adult male ( Figs 4 View FIGURE 4 A–E). Legs similar in relative dimensions to those of female. Lengths I 440–452, II 367–400, III 392–415, IV 494–495. Legs without noticeable male dimorphism in thickness of segments, with same chaetotaxy as female; legs I–III with form and relative sizes of setae somewhat similar to those of female, including attenuated form of basal seta pv-2 of trochanter, but particular dorsal spine-like setae generally shorter and ventral setae more spine-like on femora, genua, tibiae. Other than trochanter, leg IV segments with nearly all dorsal and ventral setae spine-like; tibia and basal half of tarsus with pd- setae formed as a column of five blunt spine-like setae; femur IV with spine-like seta v distinctly smaller (20) than on female. Lengths of elongated dorsal spine-like setae: I Fe ad-1 (56), pd-1 (20); I Ge ad-1 (27–32), pd-1 (34–37); II Fe ad-1 (65), pd-1 (45); II Ge ad-1 (23), pd-1 (44); III Fe ad-1 (23); III Ge ad-1 (52), pd-1 (41); III Ti ad (37), pd-1 (33); IV Fe ad-1 (67); IV Ge ad-1 (75), pd-1 (50); IV Ti ad-1 (60). Tarsi II and III with setae (v-1), and mv bulbiform; tarsus IV with setae (d-2) and basitarsal (d-3) thickened, spine-like.

Deutonymph. Idiosomatic dorsum ( Fig. 5A View FIGURE 5 ). Idiosoma ca 520 long, ca 290 wide between insertions of setae r3 (n=2); dorsal shields weakly sclerotized, unornamented, completely divided by transverse strip of soft cuticle between setae j6 and J1. Podonotal shield 245–285 long, ca 260–290 wide at its greatest width at level of setae r5, with 10 or 11 pairs of (j1, j3–j6, z2, z4, z5, s4, s6, sometimes r5); opisthonotal shield ca 175–240 long and 210–225 at widest level anteriad setae Z2, with five or six pairs of setae (J1 J3, J4, Z2, Z5, sometimes Z3). Soft cuticle with two or three pairs of podonotal setae (r2, r3, sometimes r5) and five or six pairs of opisthonotal setae (S2–S5, R1, sometimes Z3). Form and relative lengths of dorsal setae as in adult female, all smooth. Setal lengths on podonotum: j1 (11), j3 (35–40), j4 (10–12), j5–j6 (6–7), z2 (17–20), z4 (ca 60), z5 (5–7), s4 (ca 60), s6 (57), r2 (ca 30), r3 (37), r5 (32–35); on opisthonotum: J1 (5–7), J3–J4 (3–5), Z2, Z4 (50–60), Z5 (50–60), S2–S3 (40–42), S4 (45–48), S5 (68–70), R1 (25). Peritreme short (50 including stigma), extending anteriorly to mid-level of coxae III, similar in form to adult.

Idiosomatic venter. Tritosternum similar in form to that of adult, with laciniae fused for about 22–29 of entire length (98–112 excluding base). Presternal area devoid of ornamentation. Intercoxal area length 210–225, weakly sclerotized (lateral margins not clearly discerned), bearing five pairs of setae and three pairs of poroids ( Fig. 5C View FIGURE 5 ); setae st1 (50), st2–st3 (42–43) longer than st4 (27) and st5 (32–35); paragenital poroid on soft cuticle flanking setae st5. Opisthogaster with oboval, smooth anal shield ( Fig. 5C View FIGURE 5 ); length ca 90, greatest width ca 70; shield with postanal seta (49) stouter and about 1.4 longer than paranal setae (35). Soft opisthogastric integument with seven pairs of setae; JV1, JV2 (30–32), ZV1 (8–10), ZV2 (15), JV3, ZV3 (10–12), JV5 thicker (33–36). Paranal gland pores on anal shield laterally.

Gnathosoma . Gnathotectum elongate-angular as in male ( Fig. 5B View FIGURE 5 ); chelicerae, palpal structures, and subcapitulum much as in female, except setal pair pc simple. Cheliceral shaft, excluding basal section, 145 long; movable digit 28–33 long. Subcapitulum with 11 or 12 rows of deutosternal denticles formed as in female; subcapitular setae hp1 (60–69) and slightly longer hp3 (65–70) similarly attenuated, hp2 (18–22) and capitular setae pc (20–21) similarly short. Corniculi (55) with slightly narrower apices than in female, exceeded by elongated tubular salivary styli (80) and even longer, slender, finely fimbriated internal malae (ca 100). Palpus length 135; palptrochanter setae v1 10, v2 28; palpgenual seta d (10) slightly spine-like.

Legs. Leg lengths, excluding pretarsi, I (430–490), II (346–372), III (385–414), IV (450–481). Leg setation with normal deutonymphal complement of setae as given for adult female. Tarsi II to IV with ventroapical process and pretarsal structures formed as in female; dorsoapical setal processes (d-1) relatively short (12–13, about 0.6 as long as pretarsus to base of claws 20–25) as in female; form and relative lengths of setae much as in female, with particular setae enlarged, spine-like: I Fe ad-1 (45–48), pd-1 (31–33); I Ge ad-1 (40–43), pd-1 (47–50); II Fe ad-1 (57), pd-1 (38–42); II Ge ad-1 (36), pd-1 (46–50); III Fe ad-1 (53); III Ge ad-1 (46–50), pd-1 (40); IV Fe ad-1 (56); IV Ge ad-1 (67), pd-1 (61); IV Ti ad-1 (ca 50), pd-1 (ca 50). Tarsus IV with asymmetry in lengths of setae (v-1) as in female. Claws of all legs strongly formed (length ca 15), projecting freely from pulvillus ( Fig. 19E View FIGURE 19 ), in contrast to adult and protonymph.

Protonymph. Idiosomatic dorsum. Idiosoma 405 long, 250 wide at widest level of setae r5 (n=1), with weakly sclerotized dorsal shields ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ); podonotal shield 208 long and 225 at level between setae s4, with seven pairs of setae (j3–j6, z4, z5, s4); pygidial shield ca 125 long and 185 at widest level between setae Z3, with four pairs of setae (J3, J4, Z3, Z5). Soft cuticle with six pairs of podonotal setae (j1, z2, s6, r2, r3, r5) and four pairs of opisthonotal setae (J1, Z2, S2, R1); S3–S5 absent. Form and relative lengths of dorsal setae as in subsequent instars, all smooth. Setal lengths on podonotum: j1 (7), j3 (26–30), j4–j6 (7–8), z2 (15), z4 (broken, ca 60), z5 (10), s4 (62), s6 (57), r2 (32), r3 (37), r5 (42); on opisthonotum: J1 (10), J3–J4 (5–6), Z2–Z3 (57–58), Z5 (60), S2 (50), R1 (35). Peritreme short (30 including stigma), extending anteriorly to mid-level of coxae III.

Idiosomatic venter. Tritosternum formed much as in adult, with laciniae fused for only about 10 of total length (88). Presternal area devoid of ornamentation. Sternal shield not clearly delineated, length ca 125, with setae st1–st3 (35–37) and poroids iv1, iv2; setae st5 not discernible, but paragenital poroids evident on soft cuticle between coxae IV ( Fig. 6B View FIGURE 6 ). Anal shield smooth, inversely subtriangular, length ca 57 including cribrum, width 50 (cribrum strip width 27); postanal seta (40) twice as long as paranal setae (20). Soft opisthogastric integument with four pairs of setae, JV1, JV2, ZV2 of similar lengths (17–18), JV5 much longer (58).

Gnathosoma . Gnathotectum with anterior margin acutely angular, tapering to single median projection, with few irregular barbs ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ). Cheliceral shaft, excluding short basal section 132 long; fixed digit straight, bluntly pointed; movable digit (20) formed much as in female, with three teeth flared laterally ( Fig. 6D View FIGURE 6 ). Subcapitulum with 13 rows of deutosternal denticles, each similarly narrow, with a single denticle; subcapitular setae hp1 and hp3 similar in attenuated lengths (ca 40), hp2 and capitular setae pc similar in short (15) simple form. Corniculi hyaline, blade-like, bluntly pointed apically, moderately short (25), greatly exceeded by elongated tubular salivary styli (55). Palpus length 115, with normal protonymphal complement of setae; single palptrochanter seta 8; palpfemoral seta d (18) slightly spine-like.

Legs. Leg lengths, excluding pretarsi, I 345, II 312, III 280, IV ca 350. Leg chaetotaxy of protonymph typical of general holotrichous pattern presented for free-living Gamasina by Evans (1963): coxae, 2-2-2-1; trochanters, 4- 4-4-4; femora, 10 (2 2/1 2/1 2)-8 (1 2/1 2/1 1)-5 (1 2/1 1/0 0)-4 (1 2/0 1/0 0); genua, 8 (1 2/1 2/1 1)-6 (1 2/0 2/0 1)-6 (1 2/0 2/0 1)-5 (1 2/0 2/0 0); tibiae, 8 (1 2/1 2/1 1)-7 (1 1/1 2/1 1)-7 (1 1/1 2/1 1)-7 (1 1/1 2/1 1). Legs I–IV each with particular setae enlarged, spinelike, much as noted for deutonymph. Tarsi II–IV with ventroapical process, pretarsal structures and weakly developed claws formed as in female. Tarsus IV with asymmetry in lengths of setae (v-1) as in female.

Larva. No material available (adult females nymphiparous).

Type and additional material. All specimens were collected by E.A. Sidorchuk or E.E. Lindquist from two adult crickets, originally identified as “ Chauliogryllacris sp.” by David Rentz and Olivier Béthoux, recently described as Chauliogryllacris acaropenates Rentz, Su, Béthoux, 2018 , collected from subtropical far north Queensland, Australia. HOLOTYPE: protonymphiparous adult female, ex soft thoracic membrane of male C. acaropenates , Upper Stanton Rd ( Smithfield ), 16°49’S, 145°40’E ( GE), 104 m, 5 Feb. 2012, coll. D.C.F. Rentz & O. Béthoux, stop 12-7, deposited in the Australian Natural Insect Collection , Canberra GoogleMaps . PARATYPES: five females (one protonymphiparous), one protonymph, ex wing and thoracic surfaces of same male C. acaropenates , with same data as holotype; one male, one teneral female in her deutonymphal skin that was in copulo, ex wing surface of female C. acaropenates , 3 Mason Rd., Kuranda, 16°49’S 145°37’E, 371 m, 17 Jan. 2017, coll. D.C.F. Rentz & Y.N. Su, stop 3. Two females, one protonymph deposited in the CNC, Ottawa; two females deposited in the ZIN, St.-Petersburg (ZIN); one female, one male, one deutonymph deposited in the ANIC, Canberra.

Larval females of a podapolipid mite were found attached to all adult female gamasine mites from the male cricket. Podapolipid males, adult females and many larval females were found on the same and another cricket. They have been described as a new species of Podapolipus in a separate publication ( Lindquist & Sidorchuk 2019).

Etymology. The specific name is an adjective diminutive derived from the Latin word hospitalis, meaning “of a little host”, and refers to adult females of this species serving as carriers and hosts of podapolipid mites.

Differential diagnosis. Adults of B. hospitabilis are most similar to those of B. vorontsovi in having similarly disparate lengths of setae on the dorsal shield (e.g., setae j4–j6 less than one-fourth length of j3 and z4), in lacking paravertical setae z1, and in lacking any indications of hypertrichy on soft lateral idiosomatic and opisthogastric cu- ticle. Those of hospitabilis differ from vorontsovi in having dorsal shield setae j3 and z4 moderately long, but shorter than the diagonal interval between them, and shorter than transverse interval between j3, whereas in vorontsovi those setae are longer than the diagonal interval between them, and longer than the transverse interval between setae j3. Adults of hospitabilis retain J4 posteriorly on the dorsal shield as minute setae anterolateral to prominent setae Z5; the genu and tibia of leg I each have 12 setae, with the third ventral seta (av-2) present. Those of vorontsovi lack setae J4, and the genu and tibia of leg I each have usually 11 setae, with only two ventral setae (av-1, pv-1). In B. hospitabilis , the short peritremes are simple in structure, without embellished internal chambers as in B. multisetosa and B. vorontsovi .

Remarks. This is the only species of Berlesia to be documented as a phoront and evidently a host for another, unrelated form of parasitic mite ( Lindquist et al. 2016; Lindquist & Sidorchuk 2019).