Hypoaspis calcarata sp. nov. (Figs 10–15)

Specimens examined

Holotype female, Hermanus, 28.viii.1994, T. K. Qin coll., clover and weeds, Site 30– 31 (= 94­31). Paratype female, Plettenberg Bay, 18.viii.1994, roadside picnic area, T. K. Qin coll., clover and capeweed, site 30–13 (= 94­13).

Description (Female)

Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 10). Length 512–517 µm, width at widest point 294–307 µm (n=2). Dorsal shield with 34 pairs of setae and two unpaired postero­median setae (Jx, or possibly J2); setae subequal in length (50–60 µm) except z1 shorter (20 µm) and Z5 longer (75 µm).

Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 11). Tritosternum with rectangular base and two lightly pilose laciniae; pre­sternal area with weak irregular transverse lines; sternal shield with three pairs of long robust setae and two pairs of lyriform pores, with indistinct lineate ornamentation anteriorly, posteriorly smooth. Genital shield elongate, drop­shaped, with one pair of genital setae and weak lineate ornamentation; metasternal plates minute, each bearing a pore; metasternal setae inserted in soft integument; anal shield triangular, with a pair of para­anal setae and a post­anal seta; cribrum small, confined to area behind postanal seta; opisthosomal integument with a pair of elongate metapodal plates, two pairs of minute platelets, and ca. 12 pairs of opisthogastric setae. Peritrematal shields narrow, extending from level with seta s1 to a short triangular extension posterior to the stigmata.

Gnathosoma . Hypostomal groove with 6 rows of denticles, 2–3 teeth per row; anterior hypostomal seta (h1), interior posterior hypostomal seta (h3) and palp coxal seta subequal in length (ca. 25 µm), exterior posterior hypostomal seta (h2) about half this length; corniculae long and slender, reaching to anterior margin of palp femur (Fig. 12). Cheliceral digits short and robust, movable digit edentate, fixed digit with a bidentate medial tooth; pilus dentilis very long, fine, dorsal seta thick, spine­like (Fig. 13). Epistome triangular, very slightly serrated (Fig. 14). Palp tarsal claw with two subequal tines and a much smaller third tine.

Legs. Chaetotaxy: Leg I. coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0; trochanter 1 0/2 1/1 1; femur 2 2/1 3/3 2; genu 2 3/2 3/1 2; tibia 2 3/2 3/1 2. Leg II. coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0; trochanter 1 0/2 0/1 1; femur 2 3/1 2/2 1; genu 2 3/1 2/1 2; tibia 2 2/1 2/1 2; tarsus 3 3/2 3/2 3 + mv, md. Leg III. coxa 0 0/ 1 0/1 0; trochanter 1 0/2 0/1 1; femur 1 2/1 1/0 1; genu 2 2/1 2/1 1; tibia 2 1/1 2/1 1; tarsus 3 3/2 3/2 3 + mv, md; Leg IV. coxa 0 0/1 0/0 0; trochanter 1 0/2 0/1 1; femur 1 2/1 1/0 1; genu 2 2/1 3/1 1; tibia 2 1/1 3/1 2; tarsus 3 3/2 3/2 3 + mv, md. Antero­lateral setae on femur, genu and tibia of leg I very thick, short, spine­like (Fig. 15); antero­ventral setae on these segments also slightly thickened; all other setae fine, smooth, pointed. All legs with two well­developed claws and a rounded membranous pulvillus.

Notes

In the classification of Karg (1979) H. calcarata belongs to the oophila species group of Hypoaspis (Holostaspis) . It differs from the other members of this group by the presence of heavy spine­like setae on leg II of the female. It appears to be rare, and is unlikely to play a major role in regulating populations of H. destructor .