Neoseiulus conterminus (Kolodochka)

Palevsky, Eric, Gal, Shira & Ueckermann, Edward A., 2009, Phytoseiidae from date palms in Israel with descriptions of two new taxa and a key to the species found on date palms worldwide (Acari: Mesostigmata), Journal of Natural History 43 (27 - 28), pp. 1715-1747 : 1727-1729

Neoseiulus conterminus (Kolodochka)

( Figure 5A–E )

Amblyseius conterminus Kolodochka 1990, p. 161 ; Chant and McMurtry, 2007, p. 25.

Material examined

Two females from C. dactylon in date palm orchards, Samar, 9 January 2001. This is the first record of this species in Israel .

Female (n = 2)

Dorsum ( Figure 5A ). Dorsal shield broadly oval and reticulate, 393 long and 197 wide. Seven pairs of solenostomes present, gd1, gd2, gd4, gd5, gd6, gd8 and gd9. All

10µm

dorsal setae smooth, except for Z5, faintly serrate. Lengths of setae: j1 23, j3 25, j4 17, j5 17, j6 19, J2 22, J5 10, z2 22, z4 22, z5 18, Z1 23, Z4 37, Z5 49, s4 31, S2 31, S4 26, S5 25, r3 26, R1 22. Setae r3 and R1 on integument .

Peritreme. Extending anterolaterally to setae j1.

Venter ( Figure 5B ). Sternal shield vaguely striate with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures, ST4 on small metasternal shields. Posterior margin of shield straight to slightly concave with two small lateral lobes. Distances ST1–ST3 78, ST2– ST2 68 and ST5–ST5 76. Ventrianal shield reticulate 125 long, 113 wide at level of setae ZV2 and 90 at level of anal opening. Shield with three pairs of preanal setae and a pair of small preanal pores posterior to JV2. Opisthogaster with seven pairs of platelets, four pairs of setae and two pairs of metapodal shields.

Chelicera ( Figure 5C ). Fixed digit 35 long, with three small subapical teeth and a pilus dentilis, movable digit 31 long and without teeth.

Spermatheca ( Figure 5D ). Calyx bell-shaped 13 long, with small papilla inside at juncture, connected to cigar-shaped elongate atrium.

Legs ( Figure 5E ). Leg IV with two macrosetae, St IV 54 long and Sge IV 33 long, Sti absent or if present not distinctly longer than rest of setae on tibia. Chaetotaxy of genu II: 2-2/1, 2/0-1, genu III: 1-2/1, 2/0-1.

Remarks

This redescription is based on two Israeli females that resemble N. conterminus (Kolodochka) in all respects, and confirmed in consultation with Dr Kolodochka Neoseiulus conterminus is closely related to N. ellesmerei (Chant and Hansell) , N. paraki (Ehara) , N. subreticulatus (Wu) , N. vardgesi (Arutunjan) , N. extricatus Kolodochka and N. camarus (El Badry) , all included in the paraki species subgroup ( Chant and McMurtry 2003). From N. ellesmerei it can be distinguished by the fixed cheliceral digit bearing three teeth instead of two and in that solenostomes gd4 are present. From N. paraki it differs in that the dorsal setae of the latter are longer and leg IV bears three distinct macrosetae. Similarly, N. subreticulatus can only be separated from N. conterminus in that it bears three distinct macrosetae on leg IV. The shape of the spermatheca distinguishes N. conterminus from N. vardgesi . Neoseiulus extricatus bears five teeth on the fixed cheliceral digit, which separates it from N. conterminus . Neoseiulus camarus might have proved synonymous if the type specimens of the latter could have been located, but all attempts so far have been unsuccessful. In conclusion, Neoseiulus camarus , N. ellesmerei , N. conterminus and N. subreticulatus seem to be a complex of closely related species.

Species group cucumeris , species subgroup paraki Chant and McMurtry

Figures

Figure 5. Neoseiulus conterminus. (A) Dorsal view; (B) ventral view; (C) chelicera; (D) spermatheca; (E) leg IV.