Kepkatrombicula Kudryashova and Stekolnikov, 2010

Stekolnikov, Alexandr & Daniel, Milan, 2012, 3216, Zootaxa 3216, pp. 1-104 : 29

Genus Kepkatrombicula Kudryashova and Stekolnikov, 2010

Kepkatrombicula Kudryashova and Stekolnikov, 2010: 79 .

Eutonella Kudryashova, 1988: 54 ; Kharadov 1996: 47; Kudryashova 1998: 149; Stekolnikov 2001c: 97; Fernandes & Kulkarni 2003: 266.

Type species: Neotrombicula tadjikistanica Kudryashova and Abou-Taka, 1987 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. SIF = 7BS-N(B)-3-2111.1(0)0(1)00; fPp = B/B/BBB, B/B/NBB, B/B/NNB; fCx = 1.1.1(2); fSt = 2.2. Eyes 2 + 2. Scutum nearly pentagonal, with greatly convex rounded posterior margin and usually with anterolateral shoulders. Sensilla flagelliform, always branched in distal part. At least first row of dorsal idiosomal setae double. Humeroventral idiosomal setae present in five species. Mastitarsala usually present [absent in K. odessana ( Simonovich, 1958) ]; mastitibiala present in one species [ K. desaleri ( Methlagl, 1928) ].

Hosts. Mammals (mainly rodents). K. odessana and K. desaleri also occurred on ungulates; K. desaleri was recorded on humans.

Distribution. Europe, Asia Minor, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Middle Asia.

Species included. 20 after Kudryashova and Stekolnikov (2010) plus 2 described in the present work.

Remarks. The name Eutonella was found to be preoccupied by Müller (1921) for caddis flies; therefore, the new name Kepkatrombicula was proposed for the chigger genus ( Kudryashova & Stekolnikov 2010). Fernandes and Kulkarni (2003) considered this genus to be a subjective synonym of Neotrombicula , but this opinion was disputed ( Kudryashova & Stekolnikov 2010).