Neoseiulella ashleyae (Chant and Yoshida-Shaul)

Kanouh, M., Kreiter, S., Douin, M. & Tixier, M. - S., 2012, Revision Of The Genus Neoseiulella Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Re-Description Of Species, Synonymy Assessment, Biogeography, Plant Supports And Key To Adult Females, Acarologia 52 (3), pp. 259-348 : 297-299

Neoseiulella ashleyae (Chant and Yoshida-Shaul)

( Figure 17 )

Typhlodromus oleariae sensu Schicha (1987 , 187, plate 92), non sensu Collyer (1982). Typhlodromus ashleyae Chant and Yoshida-Shaul 1989: 1039-1041 . Neoseiulella (Neoseiulella) ashleyae (Chant and Yoshida- Shaul) Denmark and Rather 1996: 51. Neoseiulella ashleyae (Chant and Yoshida-Shaul) Moraes et al. 2004: 292 ; Chant and McMurtry 2007: 147.

Adult female ( Figure 17a – e )

Dorsal shield ( Figure 17a ) — Dorsal shield smooth: length 464 (458 – 469); width 302 (299 – 304) (at level of s4) and 285 (280 – 290) (at level of Z1). Six pairs of small solenostomes: gd2, gd4, gd5, gd6, gd8 and gd9. Four pairs of poroids. In the original description of this species, Chant and Yoshida- Shaul (1989) noted the presence of only five pairs of solenostomes (gd2, gd4, gd5, gd6, and gd9). However, on their drawings a large pair of solenostomes corresponding to the position of gd8 (according to Athias-Henriot [1975] and Swirski et al. [1998]) is present. We observed this pair of solenostomes on the four type specimens examined, we thus considered that gd8 is present and that N. ashleyae bears six solenostomes on the dorsal shield.

Sub-lateral setae (r3 and R1) on the lateral margin. Dorsal shield bearing 19 pairs of setae, all smooth, except Z5 slightly serrated: j1 35 (33 – 37); j3 53 (51 – 56); j4 17 (15 – 18); j5 13 (10 – 16); j6 20; J2 24 (21 – 27); J5 11 (10 – 11); z2 18 (16 – 20); z3 48 (45 – 50); z4 26 (25 – 27); z5 11 (10 – 11); Z1 28 (26 – 29); Z4 61 (59 – 62); Z5 91 (88 – 94); s4 51 (49 – 53); s6 38 (36 – 39); S2 51 (50 – 52); S4 31 (28 – 33); S5 27 (26 – 27); sub-lateral setae r3 24 (20 – 28) and R1 22 (19 – 24). Peritreme extending anteriorly to the level of j1 .

Ventral shields ( Figure 17b ) — Sternal shield 93 (91 – 94) long and 101 (98 – 103) wide (at level of ST2), smooth, with three pairs of setae (ST1, ST2 and ST3) and two pairs of poroids. A pair of metasternal setae (ST4) on separate platelets accompanied by a pair of small poroids. Genital shield 147 long, 78 wide (at level of ST5), smooth. Four elongate platelets or genital sigilla between genital and ventrianal shields. One pair of poroids close to the genital shield (ST 5) and 4 pairs of poroids around the genital shield. Ventrianal shield subtriangularshaped, 152 (147 – 156) long and 128 (122 – 133) wide (at level of ZV2), smooth, with three pairs of preanal setae (JV1, JV2 and ZV2; JV3 absent) and a pair of small solenostomes gv3 posterior to JV2. Four pairs of caudoventral setae (ZV1, ZV3, JV4 and JV5) on the integument surrounding the ventrianal shield. JV5 46 (41 – 51) long, smooth. Primary metapodal plate or inguinal sigillum 26 (24 – 28) long and 8 (6 – 9) wide.

Spermatheca ( Figure 17c ) — Cervix 14 (12 – 16) long, thick and U-shaped.

Chelicera ( Figure 17d ) — Nine teeth and a pilus dentilis on the fixed digit. Movable digit 42 (39 – 44) long, bears three teeth.

Legs ( Figure 17e ) — Measurements of legs: leg I 435 (430 – 440); leg II 388 (386 – 390); leg III 364 (361 – 366); leg IV 441 (436 – 445). Seven setae (2-2/0, 2/0-1) on the genu II. One macroseta (28 long) on the genu III. Three other macrosetae, 42 (39 – 45), 42 (40 – 44) and 34 (32 – 35) long, on genu, tibia and basitarsus IV, respectively.

Material examined — The female holotype and three female paratypes deposited in the Canadian National Collection, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. A specimen of this species labeled as Typhlodromus oleariae ( Schicha 1987) (deposited in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection [NZAC], Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand) was also presently examined. Our examination of this specimen shows that, as stated by Chant and Yoshida-Shaul (1989), it belongs to N. ashleyae , but not to N. oleariae .

Adult male

The male of this species is unknown.

Previous reports — N. ashleyae is only known from New Zealand (Nelson Province) ( Chant and Yoshida-Shaul 1989). Plants on which this species was collected are: Elaeocarpus hookerianus Raoul (Elaeocarpaceae) , Citrus sp. ( Rutaceae ), Nothofagus menziesii (Hook.f.) Oerst. ( Nothofagaceae ) and Pinus uncinata Ramond ex D. C. ( Pinaceae ).

Figures

FIGURE 17: Neoseiulella ashleyae (Chant and Yoshida-Shaul). Female (holotype): a – dorsal shield; b – ventral shields; c – spermatheca; d – chelicera; e – leg IV.