Stethorus (Allostethorus) tetranychi Kapur

(Fig. 14a–j)

Stethorus tetranychi Kapur, 1948: 311 .– Poorani 2017: 595.

Diagnosis. Length: 1.20–1.30 mm; width: 0.90–1.00 mm. Form elongate, broadly oval, elytral apices somewhat broadly rounded to subtruncate (Fig. 14e, f); dorsum moderately convex and densely pubescent. Abdominal postcoxal lines (Fig. 14g) usually shallowly semicircular, rarely slightly deeper in females. Male genitalia (Fig. 14h–j) diagnostic, penis guide anteriorly broad and subparallel up to middle (Fig. 14i) and then gradually narrowed, with two elongate, apically narrowed and pointed prongs, parameres subequal to slightly longer than penis guide with long apical hairs (Fig. 14h, i), penis (Fig. 14j) stout, penis capsule having lamellate expansions and the apex laterally acutely produced.

Immature stages. Larva (Fig. 14a, b) and pupa (Fig. 14c, d) as illustrated.

Material examined. INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Podavur, NRCB Research Farm, N10°47'20.16" E078°34'29.88", 24-29.i.24, on banana, R. Thanigairaj, 10 ex. (ICAR-NRCB) .

Distribution. India (Andhra Pradesh; Karnataka; Kerala; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal); Bangladesh.

Biology. Associated with tetranychid mites on banana; Tetranychus sp. on banana, coconut, jute; Oligonychus biharensis on bauhinia; on coconut, Helecteres isora (prey not known) (Vidya 2018; Vidya et al. 2022).

Notes. Kapur (1948) described it from 'Bengal: Dacca' (now Bangladesh) as a predator of Tetranychus sp. on jute. Puttarudriah & ChannaBasavanna (1956) recorded it as a predator of R. indica . Poorani (2017) gave an illustrated account of S. tetranychi and compared it with S. vietnamicus Hoàng, 1979 (distributed in Vietnam and China), a species with similar male genitalia, and a likely synonym of S. tetranychi .