New eriophyoid mites from Italy. IV. Mites associated with weed plants

Abstract

Geographical surveys of plant feeders on weeds are essential for finding species which can be studied as classical biological control agents of alien plants. Four eriophyoid species have been collected on well-known weeds surveyed on the Italian territory. A new species, Aceria verbenacae sp. nov., was found on leaf and stem deformations of Salvia verbenaca L. (Lamiaceae) and is described and illustrated. Two Phyllocoptinae species were found for the first time in Italy: Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka & Érsek) comb. nov. and Metaculus rapistri Carmona. Aculus mosoniensis was collected on leaf deformations of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae), whereas M. rapistri was collected on leaf and stem deformations of Isatis tinctoria L. (Brassicaceae). Finally, Aceria drabae (Nalepa) was found on deformed leaves and stems of Lepidium draba L. (Brassicaceae) in central Italy. Its previous record in Friuli Venezia Giulia was based only on symptoms observed on the host plants. Three last species are described and illustrated in details to allow morphological comparisons along with previous reports.