Spinibdella thori (Meyer & Ryke)

Halliday, R. B., 2005, Predatory mites from crops and pastures in South Africa: potential natural enemies of redlegged earth mite Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae), Zootaxa 1079, pp. 11-64 : 27

Spinibdella thori (Meyer & Ryke)

Bdella thori Meyer & Ryke, 1959a: 375 .

Spinibdella lignicola: Womersley, 1933c: 101 .

Spinibdella thori: Atyeo, 1963b: 174 ; Wallace & Mahon, 1973: 568; Swift & Goff, 1987: 47.

Specimens examined: Site 94­27, 1 female; Site 94­35, 1 N; Site FT204­13, Swellendam, 28 July 1965, M. M. H. Wallace, pasture, 2 females.

Spinibdella thori was described from grass and soil in South Africa ( Meyer & Ryke, 1959a), and subsequently identified from South Australia ( Atyeo, 1963b) and Hawaii ( Swift & Goff, 1987). There is also a possibility that this species is the same as S. ornata Atyeo from USA ( Atyeo, 1963b). However, these are very poorly known species, and the available specimens are in poor condition, so the present identification must be regarded as unconfirmed. This species is very uncommon, and obviously of little consequence as a predator of H. destructor .