Euseius natalensis

Moraes, G. J. De, Ueckermann, E. A., Oliveira, A. R. & Yaninek, J. S., 2001, Phytoseiid mites of the genus Euseius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Sub­Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 3, pp. 1-70 : 33-34

Euseius natalensis ( Van der Merwe ) ( Fig. 21 )

Amblyseius (Amblyseius) natalensis Van der Merwe , 19 65: 65 Amblyseius natalensis, Ueckermann, 1992: 153

FEMALE (Specimens measured – South Africa: 5).

Dorsum – Dorsal shield with few striations laterally, 283 long and 177 wide. Setae j1 25, j3 29, j4 20, j5 19, j6 19, J2 22, J5 6, z2 28, z4 34, z5 19, Z1 22, Z4 23, Z5 49, s4 39, S2 25, S4 24, S5 26, r3 23, R1 17. Dorsal setae smooth, except Z5 which are serrated. Shield with 7 pairs of pores.

Peritreme – Reaching level of z2.

Venter – All ventral shield smooth. Distances between ST1­ST3 51, ST2­ST2 57, ST5­ ST5 49. A single metapodal shield. Ventrianal shield 89 long, 43 wide at ZV2 level and 56 wide at anus level. Seta JV1 inserted on anterior margin of ventrianal shield.

Chelicera – Movable digit 22 long, with one tooth; fixed digit 24 long, with 5 teeth.

Spermatheca – Calyx tubular, 21 long.

Legs – All macrosetae sharp­tipped: Sge IV 27 and St IV 41; chaetotaxy of genu II 2­ 2/0, 2/0­1, genu III 1­2/1,2/0­1.

MALE (Specimens measured – South Africa: 1).

Dorsum – Dorsal shield 243 long and 180 wide. Setae j1 22, j3 25, j4 16, j5 16, j6 16, J2 19, J5 6, z2 25, z4 32, z5 16, Z1 19, Z4 19, Z5 41, s4 32, S2 19, S4 19, S5 19, r3 19, R1 13.

Peritreme – Reaching to z4.

Venter – Ventrianal shield 102 long, 145 wide at anterior corners.

Chelicera – Shaft of spermatodactyl L­shaped, 19 long from base to bend and 13 long from bend to toe of L.

Legs – Sge IV 25 and St IV 38.

REMARKS: Euseius natalensis resembles E. hima (Pritchard & Baker) in all respects. However, the spermatheca of E. natalensis is almost parallel­sided whereas in E. hima it is constricted just before the vesicle.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: South Africa: Duiwelskloof, Northern Province, on Poinsettia sp., 07­V­1981, E.A. Ueckermann; Howieson’s Poort, Eastern Cape Province, on Rhus pyroides , 13­II­1974, M.K.P. Meyer; St Lucia, Kwazulu/Natal, on Rhus chiridensis , 21­VIII­1980, M.K.P. Meyer.

Figures

FIGURE 21. Euseius natalensis (Van der Merwe): A. Female dorsal shield; B. Female ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Female chelicera; E. Female leg IV; F. Spermatodactyl.