Namadia floreata 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 : 20

Namadia floreata Meyer & Ueckermann

Namadia floreata Meyer & Ueckermann, 1987: 32 .

Specimens examined: Site 2000­1, 1 female, 3 males; Site 2000­4, 1 male; Site 2000­5, 2 females; Site 2000­11, 1 male; Site 2000­17, 1 female, 1 male; Site 2000­20, 1 female; Site FT204­14, Moorreesburg, 28 July 1965, M. M. H. Wallace, pasture, 1 female, 1 male; Site FT204­15, Moorreesburg, 28 July 1965, M. M. H. Wallace, pasture, 2 females, 3 males, 1 N; Site FT204­16, Berg River, 28 July 1965, M. M. H. Wallace, pasture, 2 females, 1 male.

Namadia floreata was described from South Africa ( Meyer & Ueckermann, 1987), and has not been reported since. It was found to be widespread, especially in Cape Province, and occurred in association with a wide range of agricultural and wild plants. In the present survey it was also found to be widespread but nowhere abundant. 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. Its biology and feeding behaviour would reward further study.