Erythracarus festinus (Meyer & Ueckermann)

Halliday, R. B., 2005, Predatory mites from crops and pastures in South Africa: potential natural enemies of redlegged earth mite Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae), Zootaxa 1079, pp. 11-64 : 19

Erythracarus festinus (Meyer & Ueckermann)

Bechsteinia festina Meyer & Ueckermann, 1987: 28 (in part); 1987: 58. Erythracarus festinus Otto, 1999b: 839 .

Specimens examined: Site 94­2, 6 females; Site 94­27, 1 N; Site 94­30, 1 female; Walebing, 28 July 1964, J. A. Mahon, pasture, 1 female; Site FT204­12, Klipheuwel, 28 July 1965, M. M. H. Wallace, pasture, 3 females.

Erythracarus festinus was described from plants and soil at many localities throughout South Africa ( Meyer & Ueckermann, 1987), although a few of the specimens listed were later found to belong to other species ( Otto, 1999b). As an endemic South African predator that is found in association with H. destructor , this species could be considered as a potential biological control agent. However, it appears to never build up substantial populations, and the fact that only 12 specimens were found in the entire survey suggests that it is probably of little importance in controlling populations of H. destructor .