Neoseiulus sharonensis (Rivnay & Swirski)

Abo-Shnaf, Reham I. A. & De, Gilberto J., 2014, Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Egypt, with new records, descriptions of new species, and a key to species, Zootaxa 3865 (1), pp. 1-71 : 29-31

Neoseiulus sharonensis (Rivnay & Swirski)

( Figs 38–44 )

Amblyseius sharonensis Rivnay & Swirski, 1980: 183 ; Swirski et al., 1998: 103.

Neoseiulus sharonensis . — Chant & McMurtry, 2003: 16; 2007: 31; Moraes et al., 1986: 96; 2004: 143. Neoseiulus knappi Zannou, Moraes, Ueckerman & Oliveira , in Zannou et al., 2006: 257 (new synonymy).

Female. (five specimens).

Dorsal shield mostly reticulate ( Fig. 38 ), smooth in region between j4 / j5 and j6 and in a transverse band near Z4; 382 (360–410) long and 200 (193–207) wide, with 17 pairs of setae, five pairs of pores and eleven pairs of lyrifissures. Setae j1 30 (26–35), j3 47 (45–50), j4 26 (22–30), j5 31 (28–36), j6 41 (38–45), J2 51 (46–56), J5 15 (14–16), z2 44 (43–48), z4 48 (46–52), z5 29 (27–32), Z1 51 (45–57), Z4 70 (63–79), Z5 78 (70–90), s4 56 (61–55), S2 57 (52–60), S4 58 (54–64), S5 54 (47–60), r3 49 (45–52), R1 51(47–53). Setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5, lightly serrate. Peritreme extending forward to level of j1.

Venter ( Fig. 39 ). Sternal shield smooth with lateral striae, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; region anterior to st1 lightly striate; posterior margin about straight. Distances between st1–st1 52 (49–55), st2–st2 65 (61–71), st3–st3 74 (69–78), st4–st4 82 (69–94). Genital shield weakly striate; distance between st5–st5 69 (60–83). Ventrianal shield subpentagonal; anterior margin slightly convex, with sparse transverse striae anteriorly to pre-anal pores and reticulate posteriorly; 134 (125–145) long, 113 (109–119) wide at ZV2 level and 100 (94–104) wide at level of anus; with three pairs of pre-anal setae and a pair of pre-anal pores slightly posterior to and mesad of JV2. Seta JV5 58 (57–60). Ventral setae smooth. Two pairs of metapodal plates.

Spermatheca ( Fig. 41 ). Calyx of spermatheca bowl-shaped, 15 (14–16) long; atrium distinct.

Gnathosoma. Corniculi slightly convergent distally; basal width of corniculus 4, distance between bases of corniculi 8. Movable cheliceral digit 34 (33–34) long, apparently with three teeth; fixed digit 32 (31–32) long, apparently with 9–10 teeth; dorsal and lateral lyrifissures distinct ( Fig. 40 ).

Legs. Macrosetae sharp-tipped: Sge IV 35 (33–37), Sti IV 40 (39–41), St IV 71 (70–72) ( Fig. 42 ); chaetotaxy of genu II 2, 2/0, 2/0, 1; genu III 1, 2/1, 2/0, 1.

Male. (one specimen).

Dorsal shield pattern as in female; 285 long and 180 wide. Setae j1 25, j3 38, j4 21, j5 26, j6 34, J2 42, J5 12, z2 37, z4 40, z5 25, Z1 43, Z4 57, Z5 54, s4 46, S2 48, S4 44, S5 38, r3 41, R1 36. Setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5, lightly serrate. Peritreme extending forward to level between j1 and j3.

Venter. Distances between st1–st1 47, st2–st2 50, st3–st3 56, st4–st4 43, st5–st 5 34. Ventrianal shield subtriangular, reticulate; 116 long and 152 wide at anterior corners; with three pairs of pre-anal setae, a pair of preanal pores and two pairs of lyrifissures ( Fig. 44 ). Seta JV5 34.

Gnathosoma. Movable cheliceral digit 22 long and fixed digit 23 long (position not adequate to count number of teeth). Shaft of spermatodactyl 23 long ( Fig. 43 ).

Legs. Macrosetae sharp-tipped: Sge IV 23, Sti IV 23, St IV 50; chaetotaxy of genua II and III as in female.

Specimens examined. One female from cucumber leaves, at Cairo governorate, June 2005 (coll. R.I.A. Abo- Shnaf); two females from cucumber leaves, at Senuris, Fayoum governorate, April 2006 (coll. R.I.A. Abo-Shnaf); one female from same substrate and locality, May 2012 (coll. R.I.A. Abo-Shnaf); one female and one male from same substrate, at Giza governorate, June 2005 and June 2006 (coll. R.I.A. Abo-Shnaf); two females from eggplant leaves, at same locality, July 2006 (coll. R.I.A. Abo-Shnaf).

Remarks. Neoseiulus sharonensis was originally described from the holotype female and a paratype female collected in Israel. The original description was detailed, with illustrations and setal measurements. This is the first report of this species from Egypt. Neoseiulus knappi was originally described from the holotype female, 15 paratype females and four paratype males collected in Africa. The original description was detailed, with illustrations and setal measurements. An examination of the type specimens of N. knappi showed this to be a synonym of N. sharonensis . Measurements of the specimens examined are similar to those of the original description of N. sharonensis , except for the longer j5 (about 24 in type specimens).

Figures

FIGURES 38 – 44. Neoseiulus sharonensis: 38. Female dorsal shield; 39. Female ventral shields; 40. Female chelicera; 41. Spermatheca; 42. Genu, tibia and basitarsus of female leg IV; 43. Spermatodactyl; 44. Male ventrianal shield.