Biosystematics of three taxa in the<i>Amblyseius finlandicus</i>group from south africa, with comparative life history studies (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Abstract Hybridization tests indicated that 2 morphologically distinct populations of Amblyseius in the finlandicus species group on citrus trees from Addo and Citrusdal, South Africa, were both A. addoensis van der Merwe and Ryke. These are designated as subspecies addoensis stat. nov. and rubicolus comb. nov., respectively. A third population, from Rustenberg, was not reproductively compatible with the other 2, and was determined as A. citri van der Merwe and Ryke. Morphological data and a tabular key are included. Biological studies indicated that pollen of Malephora crocea Jacq. was a more favorable food for development and reproduction than eggs and larvae of Tetranychus pacificus McGregor. The eggs of A. citri survived at lower R. H.'s than those of the 2 subspecies of rubicolus.