Discovery of A New Species of Sap Sucking Plant Mite (Acari: Eriophyoidea) Infesting Medicinal Plant From Sub Himalayan Region of India
During general surveys of eriophyoid mites in the Sub-Himalayan region of India, a new species, Diptilomiopus subhimalayansis n. sp. (family Diptilomiopidae), was discovered on the abaxial (undersurface) leaves of Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G.Don (Apocynaceae). Because this species is new to science, its morphometric and diagnostic features are fully described and illustrated herein. A brief discussion on the genus Diptilomiopus and the taxonomic relationships of this new species with other related eriophyoid mites are also provided. This new mite species damages its economically important host plant through sap-sucking activity, which causes leaf rusting and brown patches as visible symptoms. This infestation renders the leaves unsuitable for medicinal use. Consequently, taxonomic studies of this pest and a clear understanding of its host plant interactions are essential for developing effective control strategies