Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes 1948

Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, 1948

Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, 1948: 141.

(Figs 41–47, 100–105)

Dorsum (Fig. 41). Dorsal shield 341 (338–343) long and 178 (174–182) wide, smooth with marks of sigilla and five pairs of solenostomes (gd1, gd4, gd6, gd8 and gd9); 17 pairs of setae on the dorsal shield and two pairs of setae on the unsclerotised cuticle: j1 16 (14–17), j3 21 (19–22), j4 15 (15–16), j5 15 (15–16), j6 18 (18–19), J2 18 (18–19), J5 11 (11–12), z2 18 (18–19), z4 18 (18–19), z5 16 (16–17), Z1 19 (18–20), Z4 38 (37–39), Z5 58 (58–59), s4 23 (21–25), S2 23 (21–25), S4 19 (18–20), S5 17 (16–18), r3 19 (18–20), R 1 17 (16–18). All setae smooth and short to medium in length, except Z4 and Z5 which are longer than all other setae and lightly serrated.

Peritreme (Fig. 41). Extending forward beyond bases of j1.

Venter (Fig. 42). All shields smooth except ventrianal shield strongly striated. Sternal shield 65 (62–68) long and 71 (68–73) wide at level of setae ST1–ST3 and ST3–ST3 respectively, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; one pair of setae (ST4) on distinctly visible metasternal plates, with a pair of conspicuous lyrifissures; posterior margin of sternal shield concave and conspicuous in all the specimens. Distances between ST2–ST2 63 (60–66), ST5–ST5 57 (55–58). Two pairs of metapodal shields, primary shield 25 (23–27) long and secondary shield 11 (10–12) long. Ventrianal shield with some lines anteriorly and reticulated in the posterior region, 119 (115–123) long, 102 (100–103) wide at level of ZV2 setae and 66 (63–68) wide at level of anus; with three pairs of pre-anal setae, JV1, JV2 and ZV2, and one pair of large elliptical pre-anal pores. Membrane surrounding ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae: ZVl, ZV3, JV4 and JV5; the latter 46 (44–47) long and smooth.

Chelicera (Fig. 43). Fixed digit 35 (33–36) long, with three teeth, pilus dentilis conspicuous; movable digit 35 (33–37), with two teeth.

Spermatheca (Fig. 44). Calyx saccular, 24 (23–25) long, atrium bifurcated with distinct thick major duct and minor duct.

Legs (Fig. 45). Legs IV with one smooth pointed macrosetae on basitarsus, StIV 65 (63–66) long. Chaetotactic formula of genu II: 2 2/0, 2/0 1; genu III: 1 2/1, 2/0 1. Length of leg I: 321 (315–327), leg II: 245 (243–247), leg III: 239 (235–243), leg IV: 329 (328–330).

Male (n = 10). A lightly sclerotised mite with 19 pairs of dorsal setae. Idiosomal setal pattern: 10A: 9B/ JV – 3,4: ZV –1,3.

Dorsum. Dorsal shield 269 (262–275) long and 163 (158–168) wide, smooth; with 19 pairs of setae on dorsal shield: j1 11 (11–12), j3 17 (16–18), j4 12 (10–13), j5 13 (12–14), j6 14 (12–15), J2 14 (12–15), J5 9 (9–10), z2 14 (13–15), z4 13 (12–14), z5 13 (12–14), Z1 15 (15–16), Z4 26 (25–27), Z5 36 (36–37), s4 18 (18–19), S2 17 (17–18), S4 15 (14–16), S5 15 (14–16), r3 15 (14–16), R1 15 (14–16). All setae smooth and short to medium in length, except Z4 and Z5 which are longer than all other setae.

Peritreme. Extending beyond level of j1.

Venter (Fig. 46). Sternogenital shield with a few lateral lines, ventrianal shield reticulated. Sternogenital shield with five pairs of setae and three pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures. Ventrianal shield 111 (108–113) long, 124 (120–128) wide at the level of ZV2 setae and 62 (60–64) wide at the level of anus, with four pairs of pre-anal setae, JV1, JV2, JV4 and ZV2, and one pair of poroids. Unsclerotised membrane surrounding ventrianal shield with one pair of setae, JV5 22 (20–23) at level of anal opening.

Legs. Legs IV with one smooth pointed macroseta on basitarsus, StIV 48 (45–50) long. Chaetotactic formula of genu II and genu III are identical to the female. Length of leg I: 265 (260–270), leg II: 215 (210–220), leg III: 208 (203–213), leg IV: 282 (278–285).

Chelicera (Fig. 47). Spermatodactyl with a stout shaft 14 (14–15) long, terminating in an elongated foot 26 (26–27) long, with an upward directed toe.

Specimens examined. One female specimen (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7076/2016) collected from Gerbera, Gerbera jamesonii (Asteraceae) at Mondouri: 22° 56’ 32”N, 88° 30’ 51”E, 9 m above mean sea level, Nadia, West Bengal on 21 June 2016. Five female specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7077–7078, 7094, 7099–8000, 8002/2016) with same collection data as the above-mentioned female specimen on 6 September 2016. Voucher slides of three female specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7077–7078, 7094/2016) have been deposited in the National Zoological Collection (NZC), Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata with same collection data as above. Four female specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7097, 7095, 8001/2016), with same collection data as the above-mentioned female specimen on 23 August 2016. One female specimen (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7097/2016) and one female specimen (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7098/2016), collected from Gerbera, Gerbera jamesonii (Asteraceae) at Mondouri: 22° 56’ 32”N, 88° 30’ 51”E, 9 m above mean sea level, Nadia, West Bengal on 14 September 2016 and 1 September 2016 respectively. Four female specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7079–7080, 7082, 7096/2016) collected from Gerbera, Gerbera jamesonii (Asteraceae) at Mondouri: 22° 56’ 32”N, 88° 30’ 51”E, 9 m above mean sea level, Nadia, West Bengal on 6 September 2016. Two female specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7083–7084/2016) with same collection data as the above-mentioned female specimen on 21 September 2016. Five male specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7077–7078, 7094, 7099–8000, 8002/2016) collected from Gerbera, Gerbera jamesonii (Asteraceae) at Mondouri: 22° 56’ 32”N, 88° 30’ 51”E, 9 m above mean sea level, Nadia, West Bengal on 21 June 2016. Voucher slides of three male specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7077–7078, 7094/2016) have been deposited in the National Zoological Collection (NZC), Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata with same collection data as above Two male specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7083–7084/2016) and four male specimens (Acar.lab/ BCKV /7079–7080, 7082, 7096/2016) with same collection data as the above-mentioned male specimen on 21 September 2016 and 6 September 2016 respectively. One male specimen (Acar.lab/ BCKV /5676/2015) collected from Rice, Oryza sativa (Poaceae), at Kalyani: 22° 58’ 59” N, 88° 28’ 58” E, 8.75 m above mean sea level, Nadia, West Bengal on 23 September 2015.

Distribution. Europe: Cyprus (Amitai, 1992); Norway (Denmark & Edland, 2002); Russia: Moscow (Meshkov, 1999); Netherlands (Van de Vrie, 1963); Sweden (Steeghs et al., 1993); South America: Argentina (Furtado et al., 2007); Brazil: Pernambuco (Moraes et al., 1993); Piauí (Moraes et al., 1993); São Paulo (Mineiro et al., 2006); Chile (Ragusa & Vargas, 2002); Africa: Algeria (Athias-Henriot, 1959); Benin (Zannou et al., 2006); Burundi (Zannou et al., 2006); Kenya (Zannou et al., 2006); Nigeria (Zannou et al., 2006). Oceania: Australia: Queensland (Waite & Gerson, 1994); Asia: China: Fujian (Wu, 1981); Guangdong (Wu, 1982); Hainan (Wu & Ou, 2002); Jiangxi (Zhu & Chen, 1983); Japan (Ehara, 1972); (Komi et al., 2008); Thailand (Oliveira et al., 2012); South Korea (Jung et al., 2003); Yemen (Ueckermann, 1996).

Remarks. Measurements of both the male and female specimens of the present study are compared with the measurements of the original description (Table 6). The present measurements differ slightly from the measurements of the original descriptions but are generally similar. This species is reported first time from India.

Ecological Notes. This species is present only in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal and is found to be associated with the Gerbera crop. It was observed to feed on yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and has great potential for the control of yellow mite, whitefly, thrips and hence, should be mass cultured for successful use as a biocontrol agent against mite, thrips and whitefly.