Flat mites (Tenuipalpidae) from Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil - a checklist including new records and an illustrated key to species

Authors: NASCIMENTO, RENATA - University Of Santa Cruz - Brazil; SOUZA, KAELEM - University Of Santa Cruz - Brazil; MELO, ELISANGELA - University Of Santa Cruz - Brazil; TASSI, ALINE - Universidad De Sao Paulo; CASTRO, E. - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP); NAVIA, D. - Embrapa Genetic Resources; MENDONCA, RENATA SANTOS - University Of Brasilia; Ochoa, Ronald - Ron; OLIVERIRA, A. - University Of Santa Cruz - Brazil

Submitted to: Acarologia
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2023
Publication Date: 5/24/2023
Citation: Nascimento, R.S., Souza, K.S., Melo, E.A., Tassi, A.D., Castro, E.B., Navia, D., Mendonca, R.D., Ochoa, R., Oliverira, A.R. 2023. Flat mites (Tenuipalpidae) from Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil - a checklist including new records and an illustrated key to species. Acarologia. 63(3):619-636. https://doi.org/10.24349/b4og-onls.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24349/b4og-onls

Interpretive Summary: Flat mites are considered an economically important family of plant-feeding mites. Several members of the family are major pests causing serious damage on fruit trees and ornamentals. The family has approximately 1,100 described species in 41 genera with a worldwide distribution. Currently, 40 species of flat mites have been recorded from Brazil. Currently, 40 species of flat mites have been recorded from Brazil including 11 from the state of Bahia. In this study five new records are reported from the state of Bahia for a total of 16 now known species and 45 for the country. Some diseases caused by viruses transmitted by flat mites have already been recorded in the state of Bahia, such as the Passion fruit green spot virus and citrus leprosis. This paper will be important to researchers, control and quarantine programs, integrated pest management specialists, and persons involved in mite studies.

Technical Abstract: Tenuipalpidae (Trombidiformes; Tetranychoidea) is an economically important family of plant-feeding mites. The family has approximately 1,100 described species in 41 genera with worldwide distribution. Currently, 40 species of Tenuipalpidae have been recorded from Brazil, and prior to this study only 11 were known from Bahia state. Five new species are presented here for Bahia, making a total of 16 species now known from the state. Brevipalpus is considered the most important genus due to their association with, and ability to transmit, devastating plant viruses. Some diseases caused by viruses transmitted by Brevipalpus mites (VTBs) have already been recorded in the state of Bahia, such as the Passion fruit green spot virus and citrus leprosis. This paper presents a checklist of tenuipalpids reported from the state of Bahia in Brazil, including new records and an illustrated identification key to the species.