Sierraphytoptus Keifer, 1939 :151

Chetverikov, Philipp E., 2016, Generic delimitation between Fragariocoptes and Sierraphytoptus (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Phytoptidae) and a supplementary description of Fragariocoptes gansuensis with remarks on searching for mummified eriophyoid mites in herbaria under UV light, Zootaxa 4066 (3), pp. 271-290 : 275-277

Genus Sierraphytoptus Keifer, 1939:151

Sierraphytoptus Keifer, 1939:151 , fig. LI; 1965:8, fig. 4; Newkirk, Keifer 1975:567; Amrine et al., 2003:17, fig. 18.

Type species. Sierraphytoptus alnivagrans Keifer, 1939 , by monotypy ( Fig. 2 ).

Diagnosis. Sierraphytoptines missing φ I, opisthosoma with two longitudinal ridges and concave furrow between them, rear prodorsal shield margin distinct, tubercles of sc situated in deep indentation of posterior edge of prodorsal shield, setae sc directed posterolaterad, tarsal solenidia ω I and II with spherical knob.

Species included. Sierraphytoptus alnivagrans Keifer, 1939 .

Distribution and hosts. The mites are vagrant on the lower surface of leaves (often settling along the veins and on the midrib) of Alnus spp. ( Fagales : Betilaceae). They were recorded from North America ( USA and Canada) on Alnus incana (L.) Moench. subsp. tenuifolia (Nutt.), Alnus rubra Bongard , Alnus incana subsp. rugosa (Du Roi), Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata (Regel) and in Europe ( Bosnia and Serbia) on A. glutinosa (L.).

Remarks. The species Sierraphytoptus taiwanensus Huang 2006 from Trochodendron aralioides was removed from the genus because it does not fit the diagnosis of Sierraphytoptus and is provisionally placed in the genus Austracus Keifer, 1944 (for details see Chetverikov & Sukhareva 2009, p.32).

Figures

FIGURE 2. CLSM (A, B, D, E) and SEM (C) images of four females of Sierraphytoptus alnivagrans Keifer 1939. Scale bar: A − C = 15 µm; D and E = 30 µm. Note: in E, the cuticle anterior to the epigynium is damaged, therefore the corresponding area is dark; images C and D indicate the real direction of setae ve and sc, whereas in images A and B the setae changed their direction during slide making.