Oligonychus modestus (Banks)

(Figs. 23–24)

Tetranychus modestus Banks, 1900: 73 . [Type locality: Washington, D.C.; type host: corn]

Paratetranychus modestus: Banks, 1915: 37 .

Oligonychus modestus: Pritchard & Baker, 1955: 355, figs. 307–308.

Oligonychus (Reckiella) modestus: Tuttle & Baker, 1968: 123 .

Oligonychus shinkajii Ehara, 1963: 228, figs. 1–6. [Type loc.: Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Pref.; type host: corn] New synonymy.

Oligonychus shinkajii is recognized here as a junior synonym of O. modestus, on the basis of having the aedeagal knob with dorsal margin usually convex and with anterior projection obtuse and posterior projection longer, acute (Figs. 23–24). Oligonychus modestus is also characterized by having the peritreme straight distally (Ehara, 1963, 1969: Wang, 1981; Flechtmann & Etienne, 2006).

Specimens examined. The type series of O. shinkajii was checked along with some of the specimens which were previously referred to as O. shinkajii by Ehara (1969).

Distribution. Honshu, Kyushu, Tanegashima I., Amami-Oshima I., Okinawa I.; Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, U. S. A., Lesser Antilles, Surinam.

Hosts. This species is found on sugarcane, corn, rice, and poaceous wild plants in Japan. It occurs on corn and bamboo in the United States, and Cocos (Arecaceae) appears to be a favorite host in Lesser Antilles (Flechtmann & Etienne, 2006).

FIGURES 12–24. 12–17. Oligonychus rubicundu s Ehara. 12–14, peritremes (female); 15–17, aedeagi. 18–22. Oligonychus formosanus Lo. 18–19, spinnerets (females); 20–21, peritremes; 22, aedeagus (holotype). 23–24. Oligonychus modestus (Banks), aedeagi.