A New Species of the Genus Tenuipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from South Africa

Abstract

A phytophagous mite species of the genus Tenuipalpus Donnadieu was found on 2 plant species, namely Nebelia sp. and Berzelia sp., imported from South Africa and intercepted by plant quarantine inspectors at Narita Airport, Japan. This mite is described and illustrated here as Tenuipalpus masakii sp. nov. The species is assigned to a unique aberrans species group having 3 pairs of nonflagellate caudolateral setae on the opisthosomal dorsum.