A new subfamily, Cydnodromellinae, in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Gamasina)

Abstract

A new subfamily, Cydnodromellinae, is proposed in the family Phytoseiidae. Members of the subfamily are characterized by the unique chaetotaxy of the podoscutum, which has five pairs of setae (j3, z2, z4, s4, s6) on its lateral area, with seta z3 absent. There are two genera in this new subfamily. Platyseiella Muma is monotypic, represented by the type-species, P. platypilis (Chant). Cydnodromella Muma includes three species groups and six species: the negevi group (C. negevi (Swirski and Amitai) comb.nov.), the pilosus group (C. pilosus (Chant), type-species of the genus Cydnodromella), and the alveolaris group (C. alveolaris (De Leon) comb.nov., C. borinquensis (De Leon) comb.nov., C. sanictus (De Leon) comb.nov. and C. tunapunensis (De Leon) comb.nov.). Galendromimus Muma and Typhlodromus (Galendromimus) Muma sensu van der Merwe are designated as junior synonyms of the genus Cydnodromella and Cydnoseius cordiae Muma, Typhlodromus medanicus El Badry, and T. zaheri El Badry are designated as junior synonyms of C. negevi. Systematic concepts pertaining to the species in the two genera are reviewed, and descriptions of each genus, species group, and species are given. Keys to the adult females of the species groups in the genus Cydnodromella and to the species in the alveolaris group are provided.