Haemaphysalis vasilisae, Apanaskevich, 2025

Haemaphysalis vasilisae sp. nov.

Type-host: Sturnella magna (Linnaeus) ( Passeriformes : Icteridae ).

Other hosts: Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus) , Quiscalus sp. , Sturnella sp. ( Passeriformes : Icteridae ), Ammodramus savannarum (Gmelin) , Ammospiza maritima (Wilson) , Passerculus sandwichensis (Gmelin) , Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus) ( Passeriformes : Passerellidae ), unspecified lark ( Passeriformes ), Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus) ( Accipitriformes : Accipitridae ).

Type-locality: USA: Florida: Orange County, Christmas.

Other localities: USA: Florida: Clay County, Penney Farms; Highlands County , Avon Park ; Lee County , Bonita Springs ; Wakulla County , Shell Point ; South Carolina: Charleston County, 8 miles west of Charleston ; Texas: Refugio County, Tivoli; Victoria County , Victoria ; Willacy County , Raymondville .

Type-material: Holotype male, from S. magna, Christmas (~ 28°31'N, 81°W), Orange County, Florida, USA, 29.xii.1936, B. V. Travis ( BVT); deposited in the USNTC ( USNMENT 01784543 ) GoogleMaps . Allotype female, with the same host and locality data as for holotype, 31.xii.1936, BVT; deposited in the USNTC ( USNMENT 01784544 ) GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 30 males, 3 females, 19 nymphs and 84 larvae. USA: Florida: Clay County, Penney Farms (~ 29°58'N, 81°48'W) GoogleMaps : 4 males and 1 larva, from Sturnella sp. , 30.xi.1937, H.M. Brundrett ( HMB), USNMENT 01784545 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 3 males, from Sturnella sp. , 22.i.1938, HMB, USNMENT 01784546 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 6 males, from Sturnella sp. , 30.xi.1937, HMB, USNMENT 01784547 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 4 males, from Sturnella sp. , 26.x.1937, HMB, USNMENT 01784548 ; Highlands County, Avon Park (~ 27°35'N, 81°30'W) GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from A. savannarum , 15.iii.1990, M. Delany, USNMENT 01784549 ; Lee County, Bonita Springs (~ 26°20'N, 81°47'W) GoogleMaps : 1 female and 12 larvae, from S. magna , 22.xi.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784550 ; Orange County, Christmas : 1 male and 18 larvae, from S. magna , 31.xii.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784551 ; same locality : 1 male and 1 larva, from S. magna , 1.i.1937, BVT, USNMENT 01784552 ; same locality : 1 male, from S. magna , 3.i.1937, BVT, USNMENT 01784553 ; same locality : 1 larva, from P. erythrophthalmus , 24.xi.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784554 ; same locality : 2 larvae, from S. magna , 22.xi.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784555 ; same locality : 6 males, 2 nymphs and 10 larvae, from S. magna , 29.xii.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784556 ; Wakulla County, Shell Point (~ 27°52'N, 82°29'W) GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from S. magna , 17.iv.1938, BVT, USNMENT 01784557 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 2 males and 4 larvae, from S. magna , 9.xi.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784558 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 male and 7 larvae, from S. magna , 30.x.1936, BVT, USNMENT 01784559 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 male and 5 nymphs, from S. magna , 17.iv.1938, BVT, USNMENT 01784560 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from A. maritima , 30.v.1935, USNMENT 01784561 ; South Carolina: Charleston County, 8 miles west of Charleston (~ 32°47'N, 80°12'W): 1 nymph, from P. sandwichensis , 27.iii.1933, USNMENT 01784562 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from P. sandwichensis , 27.iii.1933, USNMENT 01784563 ; Texas: Refugio County, Tivoli (~ 28°27'N, 96°53'W) GoogleMaps : 1 female, from Sturnella sp. , 10.xi.1918, J.D. Mitchell ( JDM), USNMENT 01784564 ; Victoria County (~ 28°48'N, 96°58'W): 1 nymph and GoogleMaps 1 larva, from Sturnella sp. , 27.i.1909, JDM, USNMENT 01784572 ; Victoria County, Victoria (~ 28°49'N, 96°59'W) GoogleMaps : 1 female and 1 nymph, from Sturnella sp. , 30.xii.1908, JDM, USNMENT 01784565 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 nymph and 18 larvae, from lark, 5.i.1909, JDM, USNMENT 01784566 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 5 larvae, from lark, 10.xii.1908, JDM, USNMENT 01784567 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 larva, from Quiscalus sp. , 8.xii.1908, JDM, USNMENT 01784568 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from C. hudsonius , 6.i.1909, JDM, USNMENT 01784569 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 3 larvae, from Sturnella sp. , 5.i.1909, JDM, USNMENT 01784570 ; same locality GoogleMaps : 1 nymph, from A. phoeniceus , 28.i.1909, JDM, USNMENT 01784571 ; Willacy County, Raymondville (~ 26°28'N, 97°46'W) GoogleMaps : 2 nymphs, from Sturnella sp. , 20.iv.1937, Krupling, USNMENT 01784573 . All paratypes are deposited in the USNTC .

ZooBank registration: The Life Science Identifier (LSID) for Haemaphysalis vasilisae sp. nov. is urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:.

Etymology: The species is named after Vasilisa Dmitrievna Apanaskevich, my precious daughter who shines as brightly as this tick species and who avidly supported this and all my other works on ticks.

Description

Male [Based on 31 specimens; Figs. 1A View FIGURE 1 – 3 View FIGURE 3 .] Conscutum ( Figs. 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2A–C View FIGURE 2 ) length from scapular apices to posterior margin 2.30–2.75 (2.50 ± 0.10; n = 31), width 1.26–1.48 (1.35 ± 0.05; n = 31), ratio 1.77–2.00 (1.86 ± 0.06; n = 31), narrowly suboval, widest posterior to mid-length, nearly entirely covered with pearly enameling leaving punctations, grooves and sometimes pseudoscutual area brownish; scapulae short, blunt; cervical grooves faint, very shallow; lateral grooves deep, extending from level of leg II to first festoon, enclosing first, second and sometimes third festoon; eleven distinct festoons; punctations distinct, dense, uniform in distribution, relatively small and moderately deep; setae numerous, short ( c. 0.01) and poorly distinct ( Fig. 2A–C View FIGURE 2 ). Genital apron medial to coxae II with numerous moderately long denticles on posterior margin ( Fig. 2D, E View FIGURE 2 ); postgenital sclerite ( Fig. 2F View FIGURE 2 ) moderately long and broad, more than twice as broad as long, nearly semioval. Spiracular plates ( Fig. 2G View FIGURE 2 ) length 0.40–0.52 (0.48 ± 0.03; n = 31), width 0.31–0.40 (0.35 ± 0.02; n = 31), ratio 1.18–1.54 (1.38 ± 0.06; n = 31); ratio length of spiracular plate to length of festoon I 2.68–3.70 (3.14 ± 0.27; n = 31), broadly suboval, with short and broad dorsal prolongation.

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 3A–C View FIGURE 3 ) length from palpal apices to cornual apices dorsally 0.46–0.54 (0.49 ± 0.02; n = 31), width of gnathosoma between lateral projection of palpal segments II dorsally 0.48–0.55 (0.52 ± 0.02; n = 31), ratio 0.89–1.04 (0.96 ± 0.04; n = 31). Dorsal basis capituli ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ) length 0.20–0.24 (0.21 ± 0.01; n = 31), width 0.31– 0.35 (0.33 ± 0.01; n = 31), ratio width to length 1.44–1.67 (1.56 ± 0.07; n = 31); subrectangular with parallel lateral margins, posterior margin nearly straight; cornua moderately long, with narrowly rounded apex, directed slightly posteromedially, ratio total length of basis capituli, including cornua, to cornual length 4.17–6.38 (5.42 ± 0.59; n = 31). Ventral basis capituli ( Fig. 3B, C View FIGURE 3 ) subrectangular; auriculae lacking. Palpi ( Fig. 3A–D View FIGURE 3 ) short, length dorsally (segments II–III) 0.26–0.31 (0.28 ± 0.01; n = 31), width 0.22–0.26 (0.24 ± 0.01; n = 31), ratio 1.10–1.27 (1.18 ± 0.04; n = 31); broadly salient, ratio combined palpal width to basis capituli width 1.47–1.66 (1.57 ± 0.05; n = 31); segment I poorly distinct, narrow; dorsomedial margin of segment II abruptly widening anteriorly at its mid-length; posterolateral margin of segment II moderately steeply convergent posteromedially, very slightly convex dorsally and nearly straight ventrally; apices of lateral projections of palpal segment II directed anterolaterally; posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on segment II lacking; numerous, moderately broad and densely denticulated ventromedial setae on palpal segment II; segment III dorsally subtriangular with broadly rounded apex; moderately long ventral spur of segment III nearly twice as long as broad, with narrowly rounded apex, directed posteromedially. Hypostome ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ) short, broadly rounded at apex; dental formula usually 5/5 throughout entire hypostomal length or partially 4/4-5/5 or 4/4-4/5, rarely 4/4 throughout entire hypostomal length; with approximately 8 denticles in file.

Legs moderately long, slender. Coxae ( Fig. 3E, F View FIGURE 3 ): coxa I with moderately long and narrow internal spur with broadly rounded apex, directed posteriorly; coxae II and III each with short and moderately narrow spur, with broadly rounded apex, directed posteriorly; coxa IV with very long: slightly more than twice as long as broad, narrow internal spur, with tapering apex, directed slightly posteromedially; spur on coxa IV nearly 2.5–3 times longer than spur on coxa I, spur on coxa I nearly twice longer than spur on coxae II and III. Trochanter I ( Fig. 3G View FIGURE 3 ) with long dorsal spur, with pointed apex; trochanters I–IV ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ) without distinct spur ventrally.

Female [Based on 4 specimens; Figs. 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4 View FIGURE 4 , 5 View FIGURE 5 .] Idiosoma ( Fig. 4A, E View FIGURE 4 ) of moderately engorged specimens broadly suboval, widest approximately at mid-length. Scutum ( Figs. 1B View FIGURE 1 , 4A–D View FIGURE 4 ) length 1.24–1.36 (1.29 ± 0.06; n = 4), width 1.00–1.10 (1.04 ± 0.04; n = 4), ratio 1.22–1.25 (1.24 ± 0.02; n = 4); narrowly suboval, diverging in anterior 1/4 and then gradually converging to broadly rounded and angular posterior margin; scutum nearly entirely or partially covered with pearly enameling, most distinct enamelling on central scutal field; cervical grooves distinct, narrow and moderately deep, extending slightly posterior to scutal mid-length; punctations distinct, moderately dense, uniform in distribution, moderately large and moderately deep; setae ( Fig. 4A–D View FIGURE 4 ) numerous, short ( c. 0.01), distributed as figured. Setae of alloscutum ( Fig. 4A–D View FIGURE 4 ) numerous, evenly distributed, nearly as long as scutal setae (length of setae in center of alloscutum c.0.01). Genital aperture ( Fig. 4E, F, G View FIGURE 4 ) medial to coxae II, broadly Ushaped, lateral margins convergent, genital sclerites indistinct, preatrial fold slightly concaved centrally. Spiracular plates ( Fig. 5A View FIGURE 5 ) length 0.39–0.51 (0.46 ± 0.05; n = 4), width 0.35–0.43 (0.40 ± 0.04; n = 4), ratio 1.12–1.18 (1.15 ± 0.02; n = 4), broadly suboval, with short broad dorsal prolongation.

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 5B–D View FIGURE 5 ) length from palpal apices to cornual apices dorsally 0.60–0.65 (0.61 ± 0.02; n = 4), width of gnathosoma between lateral projection of palpal segments II dorsally 0.69–0.72 (0.70 ± 0.01; n = 4), ratio 0.85–0.89 (0.87 ± 0.02; n = 4). Dorsal basis capituli ( Fig. 5B View FIGURE 5 ) length 0.21–0.23 (0.22 ± 0.01; n = 4), width 0.48–0.49 (0.49 ± 0.004; n = 4), ratio width to length 2.13–2.28 (2.20 ± 0.06; n = 4); subrectangular, with nearly parallel lateral margins; posterior margin nearly straight; cornua indistinct or very short, with broadly rounded apex, ratio total length of basis capituli, including cornua, to cornual length 25.00–27.00 (26.13 ± 0.85; n = 4); porose areas suboval, with clear circumscribed borders, moderately indented, greatest dimension slightly inclined posterolaterally, separated by distance nearly equal to or slightly less than their width. Ventral basis capituli ( Fig. 5C, D View FIGURE 5 ) subrectangular; auriculae lacking. Palpi ( Fig. 5B–E View FIGURE 5 ) short, length dorsally (segments II–III) 0.38–0.43 (0.40 ± 0.02; n = 4), width 0.32–0.34 (0.33 ± 0.01; n = 4), ratio 1.13–1.25 (1.19 ± 0.05; n = 4); broadly salient, ratio combined palpal width to basis capituli width 1.42–1.47 (1.44 ± 0.02; n = 4); segment I poorly distinct, narrow; dorsomedial margin of segment II gradually widening anteriorly for proximal 2/3 of segment length; posterolateral margin of segment II moderately steeply convergent posteromedially, very slightly convex dorsally and ventrally; apices of lateral projections of palpal segment II directed slightly anterolaterally; posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on segment II lacking; numerous, moderately broad and densely denticulated ventromedial setae on palpal segment II; segment III dorsally subtriangular with broadly rounded apex; moderately short ventral spur of segment III nearly twice as long as broad, with narrowly rounded apex, directed posteromedially. Hypostome ( Fig. 5C View FIGURE 5 ) short, broadly rounded at apex; dental formula 5/5 (rarely some rows 4/5) throughout hypostomal length, with approximately 9–10 denticles in file.

Legs moderately long, slender. Coxae ( Fig. 5F, G View FIGURE 5 ): coxa I with moderately long and narrow internal spur with broadly rounded apex, directed posteriorly; coxae II and III each with moderately long and moderately broad, subequal spur with broadly rounded apex, directed slightly posterolaterally; coxa IV with moderately long, broad spur, with broadly rounded apex, directed posteriorly, slightly longer than spur on coxae I–III. Trochanter I ( Fig. 5H View FIGURE 5 ) with long dorsal spur, with pointed apex; trochanters I–IV ( Fig. 5F View FIGURE 5 ) without distinct spur ventrally.

Nymph [Based on 19 specimens; Figs. 6 View FIGURE 6 , 7 View FIGURE 7 .] Idiosoma ( Fig. 6A, C View FIGURE 6 ) of slightly fed specimen broadly suboval, widest slightly posterior to mid-length. Scutum ( Fig. 6A, B View FIGURE 6 ) length 0.47–0.57 (0.53 ± 0.03; n = 19), width 0.45–0.55 (0.50 ± 0.03; n = 19), ratio 0.98–1.13 (1.06 ± 0.04; n = 19); lateral margins diverging for anterior third of scutal length, then converging to broadly rounded and slightly angular posterior margin; posterolateral margins convex; cervical grooves moderately deep and narrow for anterior third of scutal length and then indistinct; very sparse small punctations; setae ( Fig. 6A, B View FIGURE 6 ) sparse, very short; length of middle central c.0.007, shorter than those on alloscutum, distributed as figured. Alloscutum ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ) as illustrated; setae ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ) sparse, very short, length of setae in center of alloscutum c.0.01 and length of setae in anterolateral area of alloscutum c.0.015. Anal groove ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ) semioval with open anterior margin; ventral setae ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ) moderately sparse, distributed as figured. Spiracular plates ( Fig. 7A View FIGURE 7 ) length 0.13–0.19 (0.16 ± 0.01; n = 18), width 0.14–0.19 (0.17 ± 0.01; n = 18), ratio 0.86–1.03 (0.94 ± 0.04; n = 18), broadly suboval.

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 7B–D View FIGURE 7 ) length from palpal apices to posterior margin of basis capituli dorsally 0.24–0.27 (0.26 ± 0.01; n = 19), width at lateral projection of palpal segments II 0.26–0.31 (0.28 ± 0.01; n = 19), ratio 0.86– 1.00 (0.92 ± 0.04; n = 19). Dorsal basis capituli ( Fig. 7B View FIGURE 7 ) subhexagonal, lateral projections tapering to narrowly rounded apex; apex of lateral projections slightly posterior to basis capituli mid-length; posterior margin slightly convex. Ventral basis capituli ( Fig. 7C, D View FIGURE 7 ) rectangular; auriculae as short and broad posterolateral projections. Palpi ( Fig. 7B–E View FIGURE 7 ) short, length dorsally (segments II and III) 0.14–0.17 (0.16 ± 0.01; n = 19), width 0.11–0.14 (0.12 ± 0.005; n = 19), ratio 1.19–1.33 (1.26 ± 0.04; n = 19); moderately salient, ratio combined palpal width to basis capituli width 1.03–1.20 (1.11 ± 0.04; n = 19); segment I narrow, indistinct; posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on segment II lacking; posterolateral margin of segment II moderately steeply convergent posteromedially; 4 or 5 broad and densely denticulated ventromedian setae on palpal segment II; segment III dorsally subtriangular with narrowly rounded apex; moderately long ventral spur of segment III nearly as long as broad, triangular, with narrowly rounded apex; segments II and III separated by poorly distinct suture between them. Hypostome ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ) length 0.14 (n = 1), width 0.06 (n = 1), ratio 2.25 (n = 1); broadly rounded at apex; dental formula 2/2 throughout hypostomal length with approximately 7 larger denticles in files.

Coxae ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ): coxa I with moderately long, narrow, broadly rounded at apex internal spur; coxae II–IV with subequal, moderately short, broad, broadly rounded at apex internal spur; external spur on coxae I–IV lacking. Trochanter I ( Fig. 7G View FIGURE 7 ) with long dorsal spur, with pointed apex; trochanters I–IV ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ) without ventral spur.

Larva [Based on 84 specimens; Figs. 8 View FIGURE 8 , 9 View FIGURE 9 .] Idiosoma ( Fig. 8A, C View FIGURE 8 ) of slightly fed specimens broadly suboval, widest near mid-length. Scutum ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ) length from scapular apices to posterior margin 235–260 (247 ± 7; n = 16), maximal width 298–335 (319 ± 11; n = 17), ratio 0.73–0.84 (0.77 ± 0.03; n = 16); pentagonal, posterior margin broadly rounded, posterolateral marginal depressions indistinct; cervical grooves deep in anterior third of scutal length and then as faint, shallow depressions. Setae 3 pairs, Sc 2 10–13 (11 ± 1; n = 5), Sc 3 6–10 (8 ± 1; n = 12). Dorsal setae of alloscutum 10 pairs; 2 pairs of central dorsals, Cd 1 8–13 (10 ± 2; n = 10), Cd 2 9–14 (11 ± 2; n = 8); 8 pairs of marginal dorsals, Md 1 10–14 (11 ± 1; n = 13), Md 8 11–16 (13 ± 2; n = 9). Ventral setae 13 pairs plus 1 pair on anal valves; 3 pairs of sternals, St 1 12–19 (14 ± 2; n = 12); 2 pairs of preanals, Pa 1 12–18 (13 ± 2; n = 10), Pa 2 10–16 (13 ± 2; n = 13); 4 pairs of premarginals, Pm 1 12–17 (13 ± 2; n = 9); 4 pairs of marginal ventrals, Mv 1 13–19 (15 ± 2; n = 12), Mv 4 13–20 (15 ± 2; n = 12).

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 9 View FIGURE 9 ) length from palpal apices to posterior margin of basis capituli dorsally 105–150 (125 ± 11; n = 17), width of gnathosoma between lateral projection of palpal segments II dorsally 160–181 (172 ± 6; n = 18), ratio 0.65–0.83 (0.73 ± 0.06; n = 17). Basis capituli width dorsally 133–150 (143 ± 5; n = 18), dorsally subhexagonal; apex of lateral projections nearly at mid-length of basis capituli; posterior margin slightly concave to nearly straight; ventrally rectangular; short, poorly distinct, broadly rounded auriculae ventrally; 1 pair of posthypostomal setae. Palpi ( Fig. 9 View FIGURE 9 ) short, length 95–108 (101 ± 3; n = 17), width 50–58 (54 ± 2; n = 18), ratio 1.78–2.00 (1.89 ± 0.06; n = 17); slightly salient, ratio combined palpal width to basis capituli width dorsally 1.10–1.26 (1.20 ± 0.04; n = 18); segment I indistinct; suture between palpal segments II and III indistinct; posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on palpal segment II lacking; lateral projection of palpal segment II short directed slightly anterolaterally; palpal segment III narrowly rounded at anterior apex; posteroventral spur of palpal segment III short, as long as broad, triangular, with narrowly rounded apex; segment I without setae, segments II and III combined with 9 dorsal and 3 ventral setae. Hypostome ( Fig. 9B View FIGURE 9 ) length from apex to level of posthypostomal setae 69–76 (72 ± 2; n = 16), width 33–39 (35 ± 2; n = 16), ratio 1.87–2.22 (2.04 ± 0.09; n = 16); blunt at apex; dental formula 2/2; denticles in files of 5 or 6; denticulated portion distinctly longer than half of hypostomal length.

Coxae ( Fig. 8D View FIGURE 8 ) spur of coxa I short, broadly rounded; spur of coxa II short, very broadly rounded; spur on coxa III very short, poorly distinct, ridge-like. Genu I length 113–128 (119 ± 5; n = 17). Tarsus I length 165–193 (177 ± 7; n = 17); tarsus III length 145–160 (151 ± 5; n = 16).

Remarks

Previous workers misidentified all specimens of H. vasilisae sp. nov. in the USNTC as H. chordeilis . Undoubtedly, the male of H. vasilisae sp. nov. was described in Bishopp (1911) as H. chordeilis and illustrated in Hooker et al. (1912) as H. chordeilis . Descriptions of the male, female, nymph and larva of H. chordeilis in Hooker et al. (1912) is apparently based on a mix of H. vasilisae sp. nov. and H. chordeilis . The female of H. vasilisae sp. nov. is illustrated in Nuttall & Warburton (1915) as H. cinnabarina from Texas; clearly the descriptions of both the male and female of H. cinnabarina in that work are based on a mix of H. vasilisae sp. nov. and H. chordeilis . The larva of H. vasilisae sp. nov. is described in Clifford et al. (1961) as H. chordeilis .

By having a moderately long ventral spur on palpal segment III and 4/4–5/5 hypostomal dentition in both the male and female, and hexagonal basis capituli dorsally in the nymph and larva, H. vasilisae sp. nov. most closely resembles only those of H. chordeilis in the Americas.

Both males and females of H. vasilisae sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from males and females of H. chordeilis by the ornate, pearly enamelling on conscutum and scutum in H. vasilisae sp. nov. ( vs inornate, brown conscutum and scutum in H. chordeilis ), narrow conscutum and scutum: mean ratio length to width of conscutum in the male 1.86 [1.77–2.00; here and below the min–max is in parenthesis], mean ratio length to width of scutum in the female 1.24 [1.22–1.25] ( vs broad conscutum and scutum: mean ratio length to width of conscutum in the male 1.51 [1.42–1.60]; mean ratio length to width of scutum in the female 1.13 [1.05–1.19] in H. chordeilis ); larger spiracular plates in the male: mean ratio length of spiracular plate to length of festoon I 3.14 [2.68–3.70] ( vs smaller spiracular plates in male: mean ratio length of spiracular plate to length of festoon I 2.01 [1.65–2.67] in H. chordeilis ); more longitudinally ovoid spiracular plates in the female: mean ratio length to width 1.15 [1.12– 1.18] ( vs more rounded spiracular plates in female: mean ratio length to width 0.99 [0.91–1.10] in H. chordeilis ). Additionally females of H. vasilisae sp. nov. have less distinct cornua: mean ratio length of basis capituli dorsally including cornua to cornua length 26.13 [25.00–27.00] ( vs more pronounced cornua: mean ratio length of basis capituli dorsally including cornua to cornua length 10.22 [5.33–19.33] in H. chordeilis ); this additional difference, at least partially, is explained by the posterior margin of the basis capituli in females of H. vasilisae sp. nov. being more straight in comparison to a more concaved posterior margin in H. chordeilis . Also, both males and females of H. vasilisae sp. nov. have a less steeply convergent posterolateral margin of palpal segment II, shorter ventral spur on palpal segment III and spur on coxae I and IV ( vs more steeply convergent posterolateral margin of palpal segment II and longer spurs in adults of H. chordeilis ).

Nymphs of H. vasilisae sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of H. chordeilis by the narrower scutum: mean ratio length to width 1.06 ( vs broader scutum: mean ratio length to width 0.97 in H. chordeilis ), broader spiracular plates: mean ratio length to width 0.94 ( vs narrower spiracular plates: mean ratio length to width 0.77 in H. chordeilis ), shorter spur on coxae ( vs longer spur in H. chordeilis ) and shorter ventral spur on palpal segment III ( vs longer spur in H. chordeilis ).

Larvae of H. vasilisae sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of H. chordeilis by the distinctly shorter ventral spur on palpal segment III ( vs longer spur in H. chordeilis ), less distinct auriculae ( vs more distinct auriculae in H. chordeilis ), shorter spur on coxa I ( vs longer spur in H. chordeilis ) and shorter marginal dorsal and ventral setae on idiosoma ( vs longer setae in H. chordeilis )

Collection data for H. vasilisae sp. nov. are listed in the materials above. This species was collected in the USA ( Florida, South Carolina and Texas States) ( Fig. 10 View FIGURE 10 ). All adults were found on the eastern meadowlark, S. magna , and meadowlark, Sturnella sp. Both nymphs and larvae were collected on the eastern meadowlark, S. magna , meadowlark, Sturnella sp. and unspecified lark; only nymphs were taken from the red-winged blackbird, A. phoeniceus , grasshopper sparrow, A. savannarum , seaside sparrow, A. maritima, Savannah sparrow, P.sandwichensis , and American harrier, C. hudsonius , whereas only larvae were collected on the eastern towhee, P. erythrophthalmus and a grackle, Quiscalus sp. (this host is named as a jackdaw on the label). Males and females were collected during January, April and October–December; nymphs were found during January, March–May and December, whereas larvae were collected during January and October–December.

Literature records summarized in Egizi & Maestas (2022) from A. maritima , A. phoeniceus , A. savannarum , P. erythrophthalmus , S. magna , brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (Linnaeus) ( Passeriformes : Mimidae ) and northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (Linnaeus) ( Galliformes : Odontophoridae ) in Florida, unknown hosts in Georgia, P. sandwichensis in South Carolina, C. virginianus , S. magna , Sturnella sp. in Texas and unspecified record from Louisiana ( Clifford et al. 1961) apparently should refer to H. vasilisae sp. nov. Reexamination of specimens collected in Arizona, Missouri ( USA), US Virgin Islands and Sinaloa ( Mexico) as well as those from unspecified locality in Mid-Atlantic United States ( District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) is necessary to verify their identity and there is a possibility that at least some of them might potentially be H. vasilisae sp. nov.