Amblyseius terreus Kolodochka, 2003

Amblyseius terreus Kolodochka, 2003 View in CoL ( fig. 14 View Fig )

Amblyseius terreus Kolodochka, 2003: 73 View in CoL ; Chant & McMurtry, 2007: 81; Călugăr et al., 2023.

M a t e r i a l. Types. Holotype} (marked No. 1), Ukraine, South-Eastern Crimea, Nature Karadag Reserve, Sviata Mountaine , slope with SW exposition, ravine with stream, litter near the roots of Quercus sp. , 15.06.1975, specimen S–520 (37/1); paratypes (together with holotype): 1} (marked No. 2), 1 {; paratype, 1}, specimen S–518 (38a), litter under of the oak trees, the same data; (Колодочка); specimen S–381 (3852),} specimen S-381 (3852), litter with topsoil, oak grove, Karadag ravine, 18-08-1980 (H. Sherbak) ( SIZK).

Non-type. 17 specimens (14} ,, 3 {) — Autonomous Republic of Crimea .

R e d e s c r i p t i o n. F e m a l e. Dorsal shield ( fig. 14 View Fig , 1 View Fig ) well sclerotised, with a distinct dark marginal border, smooth, oval, without lateral notches; 7 pairs of solenostomies (it, iv, id, isc, il, is, ic). Dorsal setae AL3, PM2 and PM3 thick at the base, whip-shaped; AD1 and AM1 are of moderate length; AL1, AL2 and PD2 are short, the rest are microchaetes (5– 7 µm). All setae are smooth, only on PM2 and PM3 1–2 serrations are difficult to distinguish. Peritremes reach the bases of AD1. The ventrianal shield ( fig. 14 View Fig , 2 View Fig ) is broadly pear-shaped in form, with barely noticeable lateral notches, well sclerotised, transversely striated in the anterior third part; anal pores are small, round, spaced. The metapodal scutes are not large, the anterior one is irregular in shape, elongated, smaller than the fusiform posterior one ( fig. 14 View Fig , 3 View Fig ). The posterior end of the peritremal shield is narrow, straight or slightly curved, beak-shaped at the end ( fig. 14 View Fig , 4 View Fig ). There are 6 teeth on Df and 2 on Dm ( fig. 14 View Fig , 5 View Fig ). The funnel of the spermatheca is well sclerotised, with thick walls, narrow, widening towards the sac, warty in the narrow part; the atrium is sessile ( fig. 14 View Fig , 6 View Fig ). Leg IV with 3 long thick macrochaetes ( fig. 14 View Fig , 7 View Fig ), leg III has 3 much shorter macrochaetes, and leg II has one small macrochaete.

M e a s u r e m e n t s: Lds 366, Wds 252; Lvas 113, Wvas 109, Lian 48; Ltar IV 154; setae length: AD1 29; AD2 5; AD3 5; AD4 6; PD2 7; PD4 12; AM1 31; AM2 5; AL1 11; AL2 13; AL3 100; ML 8; PL1 8; PL2 8; PL3 7; PM3 134; PM4 192; AS 13; PS 8; PV 98; MCh IV: ge 39, ti 32, b/ta 43, MCh III: ge 22.

Male. Preanal setae 3 pairs; anal pores not close together ( fig. 15 View Fig , 8 View Fig ). The spermatodactyl is curved as in fig. 15 View Fig , 9 View Fig . Lds — 300.

D i f f e r e n t i a l d i a g n o s i s. Amblyseius terreus is similar to A. nemorivagus Athias-Henriot , which also may be found in the soils of Crimea. Amblyseius terreus has short setae AL1 and AL2 of equal length (in A. nemorivagus AL 2 is twice as long as AL1). Additionly, A. terreus has a much larger ventrianal shield of a round shape and four 4 large teeth on Df in female ( A. nemorivagus has 8 teeth). Beside, males in two species have different form and structure of spermatodactils, and an additional preanal setae on male ventrianal shield of A. terreus missing.

D i s t r i b u t i o n, h a b i t a t, o c c u r r e n c e. Europe (Crimea). In Ukraine: Steppe zone, soil; rare.

Note. Description, illustrations and morphometry are based on holotype.