Morphological and molecular data reveal the conspecificity of the spider mites Tetranychus gloveri and T. okinawanus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Spider mites from Florida identified as Tetranychus gloveri Banks yielded COI and ITS1/ITS2 sequences that were either highly similar or identical to GenBank sequences of Tetranychus okinawanus Ehara from Japan. In the description of T. okinawanus, only a single morphological character, the length of the solenidion on tarsus III, was used to separate T. okinawanus from T. gloveri. Using types of both species, this character was reassessed and is shown to provide no basis for the treatment of T. okinawanus as a distinct species. Therefore, we assert that Tetranychus okinawanus Ehara is a junior synonym of Tetranychus gloveri Banks. We also provide a diagnosis and supplementary description of T. gloveri based on specimens from available geographic regions (USA: Louisiana, Florida; Japan) and designated a female lectotype.