Parastethorus indira (Kapur)

(Figs 6a–j, 7a–h, 8a–h)

Stethorus indira Kapur, 1950: 148 .

Stethorus (Parastethorus) indira: Yu 1996: 33.

Stethorus (Parastethorus) guangxiensis Pang & Mao, 1979: 39 .–Synonymized by Poorani 2004: 186.

Parastethorus indira: Li et al. 2015: 125.

Diagnosis. Length: 1.20–1.30 mm;width: 0.80–0.90mm.Form elongate oval, dorsum moderately convex and covered with dense, white pubescence (Figs 6a, 7a). Dorsum and underside entirely black, except antennae, mouthparts and legs (except coxae) yellowish brown. Abdominal postcoxal lines (Figs 6b, 7e) apically recurved and incomplete. Male genitalia (Figs 6c–e, 6f–j, 7f–h.) with tegmen stout, penis guide gradually broad and apically narrowed, apex with a small, U-shaped median notch in inner view (Figs 6h, 7g); widest at base and strongly narrowed towards apex in lateral view (Figs 6f, 7f); parameres oblong-ovate, with many short stout seta-like processes at the inner sides and distal end with a group of long setae in lateral view (Fig. 6f, g); penis elongate, curved, apically split (Figs 6e, j, 7h).

Life stages. Life stages of P. indira found in association with E. orientalis (on banana and guava) are illustrated in Fig. 8a–h.

Material examined. INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Trichy: Viyalanmedu: N10°47'52.22" E078°34'36.78", 19.iii.2020, R. Thanigairaj, 15 ex. (ICAR-NRCB) .

Distribution. India (Karnataka; Kerala; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal); China; Thailand.

Biology. Commonly collected in association with and apparently specific to Eutetranychus orientalis on banana and castor in South India (label data). Collected on banana, castor, plumeria, coconut, cassia (prey not known) (Vidya 2018).

Notes. It is likely to be more widely distributed in India though the material studied for this work was collected mainly from peninsular India. See Kapur (1950) and Li et al. (2015) for detailed descriptions and more illustrations.