Amblyseius acalyphus

Lofego, A. C., De Moraes, G. J. & Castro, L. A. S., 2004, Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Myrtaceae in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, Zootaxa 516, pp. 1-18 : 2

Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma

Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma, 1973: 243; 1989: 75; Moraes et al., 1986: 6; 2004: 12; Feres & Moraes, 1998: 125.

Specimens examined: São Carlos: Myrcia guianensis , V­2000 (1), VII­2000 (1); Myrcia venulosa , I­2000 (1), V­2000 (1). Pirassununga: Campomanesia pubescens , X­2001 (1), IX­2001 (1); M. guianensis , V­2000 (5), X­2001 (1); M. venulosa , I­2000 (2); V­2000 (6), IV­2001 (2), VII­2001 (17); Psidium guajava , I­2000 (10), V­2000 (11); Psidium guineense , I­2000 (6), V­2000 (4), VII­2000 (3), XI­2000 (2). Luiz Antônio: C. pubescens , VII­2000 (10); X­2000 (3), X­2001 (3); Myrcia bella , V­2000 (1), IX­2000 (1); M. guianensis , VII­2000 (2); Psidium cinereum , V­2000 (1).

Associated phytophagous mites: Abacarus sp. ( Eriophyidae ) on P. guajava and P. guineense ; Cosella sp. and Mesalox sp. ( Eriophyidae ) on P. guineense ; Tenuipalpus sp. ( Tenuipalpidae ) on M. guianensis , M. venulosa , M. bellla and P. guajava ; Oligonychus sp. ( Tetranychidae ) on P. cinereum ; Oligonychus psidii Flechtmann on P. guajava .

Previous records: Brazil — São Paulo; Mato Grosso ( Ferla & Moraes, 2002).

Remarks: The measurements of 7 adult females collected are similar to those given in the original description. However, Z5 is about 20% shorter. This difference was also recorded by Feres & Moraes (1998) and Ferla & Moraes (2002). The average measurements of females followed by the respective ranges (in parentheses) are: dorsal shield length 351 (325–375), width 228 (215–238), j1 27 (25–28), j3 38 (38–40), j4 6 (5–8), j5 5 (5–6), j6 6 (5–8), J2 7 (5–9), J5 7 (5–9), z2 12 (10–13), z4 9 (8–11), z5 5 (5–6), Z1 8 (6– 10), Z4 77 (73–80), Z5 179 (160–193), s4 62 (58–65), S2 9 (8–11), S4 9 (8–10), S5 9 (8– 10), r3 13 (10–15), R1 11 (8–13), Sge I 36 (33–38), Sge II 36 (35–38), Sge III 47 (43–50), Sti III 33 (30–35), Sge IV 78 (70–90), Sti IV 53 (50–55), St 55 (53–58), St1–St3 56 (55– 58), St2–St2 73 (70–75), St5–St5 77 (75–80), length of ventrianal shied 111 (105–113), width at ZV2 level 77 (75–80), width at anus level 77 (7–83), length of calyx of spermatheca 8 (8–10).

The measurements of a single male are: dorsal shield length 258, width 160, j1 20, j3 30, j4 5, j5 5, j6 5, J2 5, J5 5, z2 8, z4 6, z5 5, Z1 6, Z4 58, Z5 113, s4 43, R1 8, Sge I 25, Sge II 25, Sge III 33, Sti III 25, Sge IV 50, Sti IV 33, St IV 40, width of ventrianal shield 140 at anterior corners, length of shaft of spermadactyl 15. This is the first description of a male of this species.