Clarifying the taxonomic status of New Zealand species of Typhlodromina (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

The genus Typhlodromina (Acari: Phytoseiidae) comprises six species worldwide. Three of them were previously recorded in New Zealand. During our studies of the phytoseiid mites, notable misidentifications were found in mite collections within New Zealand. This paper aims to rectify the taxonomic uncertainties associated with this genus in the country. We conducted a comprehensive examination of specimens deposited in major collections across the country, employing detailed morphological characteristics. Our findings indicate that only two species, T. aristidesi (El Banhawy) and T. musero (Schicha), are present in New Zealand and the prior records of T. eharai Muma and Denmark actually correspond to T. musero (Schicha).