The First Record of Calvolia summersi (Mostafa, 1970) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) from the Oriental Region and a new record of host association with Xylocopa (Ctenoxylocopa) fenestrata (Fabricius, 1798) with a review on Xylocopa-mite associations in India

Abstract

Mites have long been associated with bees, often showing a close relationship with particular taxa, probably due to a co-evolutionary process. The present study is the first confirmation on the occurrence of the mite species Calvolia summersi (Mostafa, 1970) in India and its association with Xylocopa fenestrata (Fabricius, 1798), a large carpenter bee species. The mite species was previously reported from Brazil in association with Zethus, a neotropical potter wasp genus. C. summersi is isolated and studied from different populations of X. fenestrata in Sagar Islands, West Bengal, the biggest island of mangrove Sundarban deltaic complex. A literature-based review of the Xylocopa-mite associations from India is provided herewith to understand the diversity and pattern of mite species on Xylocopa host selection in the country. Instigating a baseline study of Xylocopa-mite association is recommended to demark the status of dynamism for better conservation and protection.