Evidence for synonymy between Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae): Review and new data

Abstract

The species status of Tetranychus cinnabarinus remains uncertain for some acarologists. In the present paper, we propose to examine the taxonomic status of this tetranychid mite through a review of studies that aimed to clarify its taxonomical position. We present and discuss the main results concerning the principal aspects investigated throughout literature published since the description of Boisduval in 1867. These studies concern morphological, biological and molecular data which have been used to separate or to synonymise T. cinnabarinus and Tetranychus urticae. Additional new morphological and biological data are also included. In light of the data presented, the authors conclude that T. cinnabarinus should be considered as a synonym of the polymorphic species T. urticae to which it constitutes the red form.