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Research Article
Eriophyoid mites (Acari, Eriophyoidea) associated with tea plants, with descriptions of a new genus and two new species
expand article infoXiao Han‡, Yun Zuo‡, Xiao-Feng Xue‡, Xiao-Yue Hong‡
‡ Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China

Corresponding author: Xiao-Yue Hong ( xyhong@njau.edu.cn )

Academic editor: Enrico de Lillo
© 2015 Xiao Han, Yun Zuo, Xiao-Feng Xue, Xiao-Yue Hong.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Han X, Zuo Y, Xue X-F, Hong X-Y (2015) Eriophyoid mites (Acari, Eriophyoidea) associated with tea plants, with descriptions of a new genus and two new species. ZooKeys 534: 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.534.5961
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B32CB6A-4622-4696-AE19-95E0DB69E5C7
Open Access

Abstract

A new genus and two new species of mites in the family Eriophyidae, Theaphyes rapaneae gen. n. and sp. n. which is found on the type host Rapanea neriifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Mez (Myrsinaceae) and Paracaphyllisa theacea sp. n., are described and illustrated. They are vagrants on the tea plant Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and no apparent symptoms were detected. A key to the eriophyoid mites including thirteen species associated with tea plants all over the world is provided.

Keywords

Prostigmata, Camellia spp., Theaceae, taxonomy, Yunnan Province, China

Introduction

Tea plants (Camellia) are perennial evergreen plants in the family Theaceae. They constitute a highly diverse taxon, presently composed of approximately 625 species (The Plant List on-line database 2013), distributed especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Some of these plant species are of extreme socio-economic importance.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) have a worldwide distribution. Eriophyoidea is a large mite superfamily with more than 4,000 described species (Zhang et al. 2011). They are strictly phytophagous, many of them can have the pest status in agricultural systems and are considered the second most economically important group of mite plant pests (Lindquist et al. 1996a). Nearly 80% have been reported on a single host species, 95% on one host genus and 99% on one host family (Skoracka et al. 2010).

Between 2009 and 2013, field investigations were conducted in southern part of China in order to look for eriophyoids on tea plants, leading to the discovery of a new genus and two new species. It is worth noting that the new genus and the new species were also found on the type host Rapanea neriifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Mez (Myrsinaceae).

Along with the current new records, thirteen species have been reported from tea plants worldwide (Table 1). They infest leaves in most cases, occasionally buds, stems and flowers. Some species can cause great economic loss to tea plants. This is the case of Acaphylla theae (Watt), a major pest all over the world, inducing leaf russeting, and Calacarus carinatus (Green), which causes bronzing and white cast skin streaks on both leaf surfaces. This paper describes the new genus and species, summarizes the main information on the eriophyoid mites found until now on tea plants, and provides a key to these mite species.

Table 1.
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Eriophyoid mites associated with tea trees around the world.

Family Subfamily Tribe Species
Eriophyidae Cecidophyinae Colomerini Cosetacus camelliae (Keifer, 1945)
Theaphyes rapaneae gen. et sp. n.
Nothopodinae Colopodacini Paracolopodacus camelliae Kuang & Huang, 1994
Phyllocoptinae Acaricalini Acaphyllisa indiae (Keifer, 1954)
Acaphyllisa parindiae Keifer, 1978
Acaphylla theae (Watt, 1898)
Acaphylla theavagrans Kadono, 1992
Paracaphyllisa theacea sp. n.
Calacarini Calacarus carinatus (Green, 1890)
Tegonotini Phyllocoptacus camelliae Kuang & Lin, 2005
Shevtchenkella camelliae Song, Xue & Hong, 2008
Phyllocoptini Tergilatus camelliae Wei, Feng & Huang, 1999
Diptilomiopidae Diptilomiopinae Diptilomiopus camelliae Wang & Chen, 2013

Material and methods

Plants were examined in field by the aid of hand-lens (30×) and eriophyoids, together with parts of their host plants, were placed in vials and stored in 75% ethanol. Each vial was marked with the collection data and herbaria were prepared for future identification of plant samples.

In the laboratory, the liquid contents were poured into a Petri dish from the vials, mite specimens were picked up using a fine pin and slide-mounted using Keifer’s Booster and modified Berlese medium (Amrine and Manson 1996). Specimens were examined under a Zeiss A2 (Germany) research microscope equipped with phase contrast (A-plan phase objectives: ×10/0.25, ×20/0.45; EC plan-NEOFLUAR phase objectives: ×40/0.75; ×100/1.3 oil immersion) and drawings were made by camera Lucida. Images were taken with the same microscope (under 100× oil immersion with 10× eyepieces) using an Axio Cam MRc (Carl Zeiss) system, connected to a computer and using Axiovision image analysis software. The morphological terminology follows Lindquist (1996b) and Amrine et al. (2003), and the generic classification was made according to Amrine et al. (2003). The genera elevated after 2003 were arranged in the list by us. Specimens were measured according to de Lillo et al. (2010). For each species, the holotype female measurements precede the corresponding range for paratypes (given in parentheses). All measurements are in micrometers (μm) and are lengths when not otherwise specified. All type specimens are deposited as slide mounted specimens in the Arthropod/Mite Collection of the Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Jiangsu Province, China.

Host plant names and their synonymies are in accordance with The Plant List (http://www.theplantlist.org/). Data on eriophyoid mites were extracted from the catalogue by Davis et al. (1982), Amrine and Stasny (1994) and from the computerized catalog of the Eriophyoidea (Amrine and de Lillo, pers. comm.); a further record was added based on the searching made on the most common abstract indexes. When available, the following information was summarized for each listed eriophyoid species based on literature: a) previous genus name assignment and possible synonymies; b) information about the host plant species; c) documenting relationships between eriophyoid species and host plants based on literature; d) distribution within geographic realms according to Udvardy (1975); e) the most relevant remarks.

Results

Thirteen eriophyoid mite species in eleven genera of two eriophyoid families have been reported from tea plants around the world (Table 1) and a key to eriophyoid mites on tea plants is provided below.

Theaphyes gen. n.

http://zoobank.org/7929EC1E-07C5-47E5-AA24-D67734AC5E6D

Type species

Theaphyes rapaneae sp. n.

Diagnosis

Body fusiform; scapular tubercles placed ahead of rear shield margin and scapular setae projecting upwards; frontal shield lobe absent. All coxal setae present; antaxial genual seta absent from leg II; tarsal solenidion slightly knobbed, located below empodium; empodium entire. Opisthosoma with a wide dorsal furrow; all usual opisthosoma setae present with the exception of setae e and h1; female genital cover flap appressed to coxal plates.

Etymology

The genus designation is the combination of Thea- and -phyes; Thea- is derived from the family name of the host plant, -phyes is derived from the type genus Eriophyes in the family Eriophyidae. The gender is feminine.

Remarks

The new genus is assigned to the Family Eriophyidae, Subfamily Cecidophyinae, Tribe Colomerini. It is similar to Epicecidophyes clerodendris Mondal & Chakrabarti, 1981, but can be differentiated from the latter by the absence of opisthosomal setae e (setae e are present in Epicecidophyes) and by a wide furrow on the dorsal opisthosoma (a broad middorsal ridge is on the dorsal opisthosoma of Epicecidophyes). The tarsal solenidion is located below the empodium similarly to Catachela machaerii Keifer, 1969, Dechela epelis Keifer, 1965 and Dechela phoebe Wang, Han, Xue & Hong, 2014.

Theaphyes rapaneae sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/B7A8BE17-72C9-4524-BFB9-2E2C7CFBCE86
Fig. 1

Description

FEMALE: (n = 9, ventral-dorsal position on slides). Body fusiform, white, 152 (152–153), 80 (80–85) wide. Gnathosoma 19 (19–20), projecting obliquely downwards, pedipalp coxal setae (ep) 2 (2–3), dorsal pedipalp genual setae (d) 8 (7–8), cheliceral stylets 20 (19–20). Prodorsal shield 58 (57–58), 80 (80–82) wide, admedian lines complete curving mesally at their posterior ends; frontal shield lobe absent. Scapular tubercles ahead of rear shield margin, 25 (24–25) apart, scapular setae (sc) 2 (2–3), projecting upward. Coxigenital region with 5 (5–6) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia. Coxal plates with a few short lines, anterolateral setae on coxisternum I (1b) 7 (6–7), 15 (15–16) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum I (1a) 11 (10–11), 14 (14–15) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum II (2a) 12 (12–15), 33 (32–33) apart. Prosternal apodeme absent. Leg I 27 (26–27), femur 11 (10–11), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 5 (5–6); genu 3 (2–3), antaxial genual setae (l’’) 21 (20–21); tibia 3 (2–3), paraxial tibial setae (l’) 4 (4–5), located at 2/3 from the dorsal base; tarsus 7 (6–7), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 15 (15–16), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 18 (18–20), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 4 (4–5); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 5 (5–6), slightly knobbed, located below empodium. Leg II 20 (20–21), femur 10 (10–11), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 6 (6–7); genu 3 (2–3), antaxial genual setae (l’’) absent; tibia 2 (2–3); tarsus 7 (6–7), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 3 (3–4), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 18 (17–18), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 4 (3–4); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 7 (7–8), little knobbed, located below empodium. Opisthosoma dorsally with 26 (26–29) semiannuli, smooth, with a wide furrow, ventrally with 54 (52–54) semiannuli, with linear microtubercles. Setae c2 19 (18–19) on ventral semiannulus 6 (6–7), 85 (80–85) apart; setae d 35 (34–35) on ventral semiannulus 21 (20–21), 32 (30–32) apart; setae e absent, setae f 15 (15–16) on 5th–6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 20 (20–21) apart. Setae h1 absent, h2 50 (50–60). Genital coverflap 20 (18–20), 38 (38–39) wide, coverflap with 22–23 longitudinal ridges in one rank, some ridges not complete, setae 3a 6 (5–6), 24 (18–24) apart.

MALE: (n = 4, ventral-dorsal position on slides). 142 (142–145), 69 (69–70) wide; white. Gnathosoma 19 (18–19), projecting obliquely downwards, pedipalp coxal setae (ep) 2 (1–2), dorsal pedipalp genual setae (d) 6 (5–6), cheliceral stylets 17 (16–17). Prodorsal shield 53 (53–54), 65 (65–70) wide, admedian lines complete curving mesally at their posterior ends; frontal shield lobe absent. Scapular tubercles ahead of rear shield margin, 22 (22–24) apart, scapular setae (sc) 3 (2–3), projecting upward. Coxigenital region with 5 (5–6) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia. Coxal plates with a few short lines, anterolateral setae on coxisternum I (1b) 5 (5–6), 10 (10–12) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum I (1a) 7 (7–8), 14 (12–14) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum II (2a) 10 (10–11), 27 (27–28) apart. Prosternal apodeme absent. Leg I 20 (20–21), femur 12 (11–12), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 5 (5–6); genu 3 (2–3), antaxial genual setae (l’’) 17 (17–18); tibia 3 (2–3), paraxial tibial setae (l’) 4 (4–5), located at 2/3 from the dorsal base; tarsus 5 (4–5), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 13 (13–14), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 17 (15–17), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 4 (4–5); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 5 (5–6), slightly knobbed, located below empodium. Leg II 18 (17–18), femur 9 (8–9), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 4 (4–6); genu 2 (2–3), antaxial genual setae (l’’) absent; tibia 3 (3–4); tarsus 5 (4–5), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 4 (4–5), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 15 (14–15), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 3 (3–4); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 7 (7–8), slightly knobbed, located below empodium. Opisthosoma dorsally with 28 (26–28) semiannuli, smooth, with a wide furrow; ventrally with 51 (48–51) semiannuli, with linear microtubercles. Setae c2 12 (12–13) on ventral semiannulus 6 (5–6), 65 (64–69) apart; setae d 20 (18–22) on ventral semiannulus 16 (15–17), 27 (25–27) apart; setae e absent, setae f 14 (14–15) on 5th–6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 20 (18–20) apart. Setae h1 absent, h2 52 (51–52). Genitalia 20 (20–21) wide, setae 3a 5 (5–6), 15 (13–15) apart.

Figure 1. 

Theaphyes rapaneae sp. n.: D dorsal view of female V ventral view of female em empodium IG female internal genitalia GM male genital region L1 leg I L2 leg II.

Type host plant

Rapanea neriifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Mez (Myrsinaceae)

Other host plant

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant. No damage to the host plant was observed.

Type locality

Nanling National Forest Park, Guangdong Province (24°53'50"N, 113°01'18"E), elevation 1,408 m, 31 July 2012, coll. Qiong Wang, Hao-Sen Li and Jing-Feng Guo.

Type material

Holotype, single female on a microscope slide (slide number NJAUAcariEriGD21.1; marked Holotype), from R. neriifolia. Paratypes, 4 females and 4 males mounted on separate microscope slides (slide number NJAUAcariEriGD21.2–NJAUAcariEriGD21.9), same collection data of the holotype.

Other material

10 females mounted on separate microscope slides (slide numbers NJAUAcariEriYN304B.1–NJAUAcariEriYN304B.10), from C. sinensis.

Etymology

The specific designation rapaneae is the genitive case derived from the genus name of the type host plant, Rapanea.

Remarks

This species is found on the Myrsinaceae R. neriifolia and also on C. sinensis. Slight morphological differences were observed between the populations found on the two host species: the population on C. sinensis is longer, thinner and with more ventral annuli (62–66) than the population on R. neriifolia which is provided with fewer ventral annuli (52–54). The population found on C. sinensis occurred with other eriophyoid species and no males were collected. Current data do not allow understanding if the mite species colonizes regularly and successfully C. sinensis and it needs further biological studies.

Paracaphyllisa theacea sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/AC45840F-0982-40F3-8897-CDD76B3FD531
Fig. 2

Description

FEMALE: (n = 8, ventral-dorsal position on slides). Body fusiform, 200 (190–200), 80 (75–80) wide; white. Gnathosoma 35 (32–35), projecting obliquely downwards, pedipalp coxal setae (ep) 3 (2–3), dorsal pedipalp genual setae (d) 9 (8–9), cheliceral stylets 40 (38–40). Prodorsal shield 50 (50–52), 75 (70–75) wide, median line absent, admedian and submedian lines sinuous; front shield lobe present 12 (11–12). Scapular tubercles ahead of rear shield margin, 37 (35–37) apart, scapular setae (sc) 4 (3–4), projecting anteriorly. Coxigenital region with 8 (8–9) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia, smooth. Coxal plates smooth, anterolateral setae on coxisternum I (1b) 10 (10–11), 14–15 apart, anterolateral setae on coxisternum I (1a) 15 (13–15), 12 (11–12) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum II (2a) 40 (35–40), 30 (30–31) apart. Prosternal apodeme absent. Leg I 37 (37–40), femur 15 (14–15), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 15 (15–16); genu 5 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l’’) 43 (42–43); tibia 8 (7–8), paraxial tibial setae (l’) 1, located at center; tarsus 8 (7–8), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 30 (29–30), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 33 (33–34), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 6 (5–6); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (5–6), divided, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 12 (11–12), slightly knobbed. Leg II 34 (32–34), femur 12 (12–14), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 11 (10–11); genu 5 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l’’) absent; tibia 6 (5–6); tarsus 8 (7–8), paraxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’) 9 (9–10), antaxial, fastigial, tarsal setae (ft’’) 26 (26–27), paraxial, unguinal, tarsal setae (u’) 5 (4–5); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (5–6), divided, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 11 (11–12), slightly knobbed. Opisthosoma dorsally with 38 (37–38) semiannuli, smooth, with three ridges, ventrally with 62 (62–69) semiannuli, with rounded microtubercles. Setae c2 35 (33–35) on ventral semiannulus 15 (12–15), 60 (57–60) apart; setae d 70 (67–70) on ventral semiannulus 26 (25–27), 45 (43–45) apart; setae e 50 (50–52) on ventral semiannulus 41 (41–44), 20 (19–20) apart, setae f 23 (23–25) on 6th–7th ventral semiannulus from rear, 15 (15–16) apart. Setae h1 absent, h2 55 (52–55). Genital coverflap 15 (15–16), 30 (29–30) wide, coverflap with 23 (18–23) longitudinal ridges and dense short lines at base, setae 3a 14 (13–14), 20 (20–21) apart.

MALE: Unknown.

Figure 2. 

Paracaphyllisa theacea sp. n.: D dorsal view of female V ventral view of female em empodium IG female internal genitalia L1 leg I L2 leg II.

Type host plant

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant. No damage to the host plant was observed.

Type locality

Pihe Village, Fugong County, Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Province (26°33'05"N, 98°55'08"E), elevation 2,122 m, 26 June 2013, coll. Xiao Han, Qiong Wang and Jing-Feng Guo.

Type material

Holotype, single female on a microscope slide (slide number NJAUAcariEriYN304C.1; marked Holotype). Paratypes 7 females mounted on separate microscope slides (slide number NJAUAcariEriYN304C.2–NJAUAcariEriYN304C.8).

Etymology

The specific designation theacea is derived from the family name of the host plant; feminine in gender.

Differential diagnosis

This new species is similar to Paracaphyllisa adinandrae Kuang & Luo, 2005, but can be differentiated from the latter by the design of prodorsal shield which is provided with admedian and submedian lines (prodorsal shield design of P. adinandrae has median, admedian and submedian lines), smooth coxal plates (coxal plates have short lines in P. adinandrae) and coverflap with 23 (18–23) longitudinal ridges and dense short lines at its base (coverflap is smooth in P. adinandrae).

Remarks

The new species is surrounded with white hairs around the body.

Accounts of further species on Camellia

Acaphyllisa indiae (Keifer, 1954)

Acaphylla indiae; Keifer 1954: 126.

Acaphyllisa indiae; Amrine and Stasny 1994: 14.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant, causing leaf rusting.

Distribution

Indomalayan region.

Acaphyllisa parindiae Keifer, 1978

Acaphyllisa parindiae; Keifer 1978: 15.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant, causing leaf rusting.

Distribution

Indomalayan region.

Acaphylla theae (Watt, 1898)

Phytoptus theae Watt, 1898

Eriophyes theae (Watt, 1903); Nalepa 1923: 46.

Acaphylla theae; Das and Sengupta 1958: 40 (synonym of Acaphylla steinwedeni Keifer, 1943).

Acaphylla steinwedeni; Keifer 1943: 215.

Acaphylla steinwedeni; Keifer 1954: 126.

Acaphylla steinwedeni; Keifer 1975: 545.

Acaphylla steinwedeni; Amrine and Stasny 1994: 13.

Acaphylla steinwedeni; Baker et al. 1996: 86.

Host

Camellia japonica L., C. oleifera Abel, C. reticulata Lindl., C. sasanqua Thunb., C. sinensis (L.) Kuntze, C. sinensis var. assamica (J.W. Mast.) Kitam.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant. This species occurs on the undersurface of the leaves and is often associated with Calacarus carinatus (Green) (reported as C. adornatus (Keifer, 1940)). Acaphylla steinwedeni does not leave as much debris on the leaves as C. carinatus, but it may actually be more important as a rust mite. Both mite species overwinter on the leaves and show no deuterogyny.

Distribution

Australian, Nearctic, Indomalayan and Palaearctic regions.

Remarks

Phytoptus theae was reported infesting C. sinensis by Watt (1898) who provided a drawing and a short description of the mite, and described the injury on the tea plant. Many authors have wrongfully listed the mite as Phytoptus theae Watt & Mann, 1903, based on the more available publication. Improperly, Nalepa (1929) listed P. theae as a nude name. Keifer (1954) identified A. steinwedeni from specimens provided by Dr. Das and which were referred to have been the object of the name P. theae. Das and Sengupta (1958) made A. steinwedeni as junior synonym of A. theae, making this last one as the genotype of the genus Acaphylla. Finally, Amrine and Stasny (1994) listed A. theae as possible synonym (they marked the synonymy with a question mark) of A. steinwedeni without any further indication about it and the use of the names.

Acaphylla theavagrans Kadono, 1992

Acaphylla theavagrans; Kadono 1992: 149–151.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant, causing rust.

Distribution

Indomalayan region.

Calacarus carinatus (Green, 1890)

Typhlodromus carinatus Green, 1890: 35.

Eriophyes carinatus; Nalepa 1923: 31.

Epitrimerus adornatus; Keifer 1940: 32.

Calacarus carinatus; Baker et al. 1996: 86.

Host

Camellia caudata Wallich, C. sinensis (L.) Kuntze, C. kissi Wallich, C. japonica L., C. sasanqua Thunb., Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), Viburnum opulus L. (Adoxaceae).

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant, causing bronzing and leaving white cast skin streaks. Wax is produced on the five ridges and prodorsal shield.

Distribution

Africotropical, Australian, Indomalayan, Nearctic, Palaearctic regions.

Remarks

This free-living species leaves much debris on the host leaves and occurs on the leaves associated with A. steinwedeni. They both overwinter on the leaves and show no deuterogyny.

Cosetacus camelliae (Keifer, 1945)

Aceria camelliae; Keifer 1945: 137–138.

Cosetacus camelliae; Amrine and Stasny 1994: 168.

Cosetacus camelliae; Baker et al. 1996: 86.

Host

Camellia japonica L., Camellia sp.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant. The mite lives under leaf and flower buds, probably causing premature flower drop.

Distribution

Australian, Nearctic, Neotropic, Palaearctic regions.

Diptilomiopus camelliae Wang & Chen, 2013

Diptilomiopus camelliae; Tan et al. 2013: 802–804.

Host

Camellia caudata Wallich.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant. No damage to the host was observed.

Distribution

On the border between Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions.

Paracolopodacus camelliae Kuang & Huang, 1994

Paracolopodacus camelliae; Kuang and Huang 1994: 229–230.

Host

Camellia oleifera Abel.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant.

Distribution

On the border between Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions.

Phyllocoptacus camelliae Kuang & Lin, 2002

Phyllocoptacus camelliae; Kuang and Lin 2002: 84–85.

Phyllocoptacus camelliae; Kuang et al. 2005: 51–52.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant.

Distribution

On the border between Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions.

Shevtchenkella camelliae Song, Xue & Hong, 2008

Shevtchenkella camelliae; Song et al. 2008: 48–49.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Vagrant, causing no apparent damage to the host plant.

Distribution

On the border between Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions.

Tergilatus camelliae Wei, Feng & Huang, 1999

Tergilatus camelliae; Wei et al. 1999: 144–146.

Host

Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze.

Relation to the host plant

Not stated.

Distribution

On the border between Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions.

Key to eriophyoid mite species associated with tea plant

1 Gnathosoma small in comparison to the body, chelicerae straight or slightly curved 2
– Gnathosoma large in comparison to the body, chelicerae abruptly curved and bent down near their base Diptilomiopus camelliae Wang & Chen, 2013
2 Tibiae reduced or completely fused with tarsi Paracolopodacus camelliae Kuang & Huang, 1994
– Tibiae distinct from tarsi 3
3 Setae e absent 4
– Setae e present 5
4 Median line absent, admedian lines complete curving mesally at their posterior ends; frontal lobe absent. Scapular setae sc projecting upward. Empodium 5-rayed Theaphyes rapaneae gen. et sp. n.
– Median, admedian and submedian lines incomplete; frontal lobe present. Scapular setae sc projecting upward. Empodium 6-rayed Tergilatus camelliae Wei, Feng & Huang, 1999
5 Female genital apodeme bent up and shortened, usually appearing as a heavy transverse line in ventral view, ridges on female coverflap in 2 uneven ranks Cosetacus camelliae (Keifer, 1945)
– Female genital apodeme extending moderate distance forward, does not appear as a heavy transverse bar in ventral view, female coverflap smooth or variably sculptured 6
6 Empodium entire 7
– Empodium divided 9
7 Scapular tubercles and setae sc absent Calacarus carinatus Green, 1890
– Scapular tubercles and setae sc present 8
8 Dorsal opisthosoma with anterior annuli fused forming a broad plate joined to prodorsal shield. Prodorsal shield with admedian and submedian lines, scapular tubercles ahead of rear shield margin, scapular setae sc projecting upward. Leg II without genual setae (l’’), tarsal empodium 6-rayed. Coverflap smooth Phyllocoptacus camelliae Kuang & Lin, 2005
– Dorsal opisthosoma without fused annuli forming a plate. Prodorsal shield smooth, scapular tubercles on rear shield margin, scapular setae sc projecting posteriorly. Leg II with usual setae, tarsal empodium 7-rayed. Coverflap with 14 longitudinal ridges Shevtchenkella camelliae Song, Xue & Hong, 2008
9 Coxal setae 1b absent 10
– Coxal setae 1b present 11
10 Coxal area with short lines, prodorsal shield with median line present on the posterior 2\5 and 4\5, frontal lobe bilobed, coxae smooth Acaphylla theae (Watt, 1898)
– Coxal area smooth, prodorsal shield with median line absent, frontal lobe not as above, coxae with granules Acaphylla theavagrans Kadono, 1992
11 Genual II setae (l”) absent 12
– Genual II setae (l”) present; prodorsal shield without median line, admedian lines with short recurving sections, meeting cross lines at 1/4 and 2/3, tarsal empodium 3-rayed Acaphyllisa parindiae Keifer, 1978
12 Prodorsal shield with median line complete, submedian lines curving from the median and forming a double loop between the dorsal tubercles, prodorsal shield laterally with a broad lobe over the coxae. Leg II with femoral seta (bv) absent, tarsal empodium 8-rayed Acaphyllisa indiae Keifer, 1954
– Prodorsal shield without median line, submedian lines not as above, prodorsal shield laterally without a broad lobe over the coxae. Leg II with femoral seta (bv) present, tarsal empodium 5-rayed Paracaphyllisa theacea sp. n.

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31172132). We thank Jing-Feng Guo of NJAU for reviewing an earlier draft of this manuscript. We are very grateful to JW Amrine Jr for valuable comments on the manuscript.

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