Euseius africanus (Evans)

Moraes, G. J. De, Ueckermann, E. A., Oliveira, A. R. & Yaninek, J. S., 2001, Phytoseiid mites of the genus Euseius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Sub­Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 3, pp. 1-70 : 7-8

Euseius africanus (Evans) ( Fig. 1 )

Typhlodromus africanus Evans, 1954: 524

Euseius africanus, Moraes & McMurtry, 1988: 15

FEMALE (Specimens measured ­ Kenya: 4, Burundi: 1).

Dorsum ­ Dorsal shield with few striae anterior to Z1, 338(328­355) long and 226(221­232) wide. Setae j1 29(27­30), j3 34(27­38), j4 6(5­6), j5 6, j6 8(6­10), J2 8(8­ 10), J5 5, z2 13(10­16), z4 11(10­14), z5 6(6­8), Z1 8(6­11), Z4 8(8­11), Z5 59(56­66), s4 51(45­56), S2 11(8­16), S4 13(10­16), S5 10(8­13), r3 13(10­14), R1 8(6­10). Dorsal setae smooth, except Z5 which are serrate.

Peritreme ­ Reaching level of j3.

Venter ­ All ventral shields smooth. Distances between ST1­ST3 62(59­67), ST2­ST2 69(67­74) and ST5­ST5 72(67­77). With 2 pairs of metapodal shields; primary and secondary shields of each side fused. Ventrianal shield 106(101­112) long, 56(48­58) wide at ZV2 level and 69(62­72) wide at anus level.

Spermatheca – Proximal two thirds of calyx tubular and distal third cup­shaped, 14(13­16) long; atrium small.

Legs ­ Macrosetae sharp­tipped: SgeI 29(26­32), SgeII 27(26­29), SgeIII 30(29­32), StiIII 26(24­30), SgeIV 42(38­45), StiIV 34(32­38), StIV 51(48­54).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Burundi: 16 km S. Rutana, Isabu­Moso, on Ficus vallischoudae , 13­XII­1989, J.S. Yaninek. Kenya: Sondu, Kisumu, Nyanza, on unidentified plants, 3­XII­1989, J.S. Yaninek; Kiligi Ferry, Coast Province, on unknown tree, 30­XI­ 1989, J.S. Yaninek; 23 km S. Malindi, Coast Province, on Ricinus communis , 30­XI­1989, J.S. Yaninek.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Euseius africanus (Evans) (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Leg IV.