5. Oligonychus proteae Meyer & Ryke, 1959

Oligonychus proteae Meyer & Ryke, 1959: 344.

Host and distribution.

Protea coronata ( Proteaceae); South Africa.

Remarks.

Oligonychus proteae Meyer & Ryke was described from only females, and details of the male were absent in both the original (Meyer and Ryke 1959) and subsequent descriptions (Meyer 1974). The taxonomic status of this species has remained doubtful since it was proposed (Meyer and Ryke 1959; Meyer 1974), and it was excluded from the list of Oligonychus species reported from Africa (Meyer 1987). The species identity of O. proteae will be resolved after collecting and describing the male from the type host and locality.