Updated Italian checklist of Tenuipalpidae with description of a new species and new worldwide records of the genus Cenopalpus (Pritchard et Baker)

ABSTRACT

The family Tenuipalpidae includes agricultural pests that have garnered extensive attention from the global research community. Despite the economic importance of tenuipalpids, due to their ecology and global trade of the infested plants, there has not been any corresponding and comprehensive research on these mites in Italy in recent decades. This study aimed to determine the species composition of tenuipalpid mites in Italy, update the Italian checklist for the taxon, and include new records and host plant associations of the genera Brevipalpus Donnadieu and Cenopalpus Pritchard and Baker worldwide. The study found several new records of tenuipalpid species in Italy, including four Cenopalpus and two Brevipalpus species. Additionally, one new species Cenopalpus ulmifolius De Giosa, Ochoa et de Lillo was added to the list. The research also incorporated new records of Cenopalpus species in different countries and several new host plant associations and the description of novel taxonomic characters were present for the Cenopalpus species studied during this work, since they were the most abundant tenuipalpid collected in the sampled areas. The study’s findings are crucial for developing effective management for tenuipalpid mites, understanding the fauna composition, and constructing preparedness strategies for quarantine purposes.

KEYWORDS:

• Acari
• flat mites
• Mediterranean area
• Brevipalpus
• Pentamerismus
• Tenuipalpus taxonomy
• interceptions
• Trombidiformes
• phytophagous pests

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to: Gary R. Bauchan (in memoriam), for his relevant technical support in the research with Cryo-SEM micrographs, Andrew Ulsamer, former Debra Creel and Lucrecia Rodriguez (USDA), Armando Rosario-Lebron (APHIS, USDA), for their help with information, references, and suggestions. To Smithsonian Natural History Museum, National Agricultural Library (NAL-USDA), USDA National Program-Forest Service and APHIS for support and assistance with references, permits and funding for this study. This work would not have been possible without the help of Pasquale Trotti, Franca Todisco and Giuseppe Bari (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro). Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA; USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2024.2318364