The spider mites of the genus Eutetranychus Banks (Acari, Trombidiformes, Tetranychidae) from Saudi Arabia: two new species, a re-description, and a key to the world species

Abstract

Two new species of the genus <i>Eutetranychus</i> Banks are described and illustrated based on adult females and males, <i>E.spinosus</i> <b>sp. n.</b> from <i>Indigoferaspinosa</i> Forssk (Leguminosae), <i>E.neotransversus</i> <b>sp. n.</b> from <i>Juniperusprocera</i> Hochst. ex Endl. (Cupressaceae), and <i>E.palmatus</i> Attiah, 1967 is redescribed from <i>Washingtoniarobusta</i> H. Wendl. (Arecaceae). Additionally, the intraspecific morphological variations within <i>E.orientalis</i> populations, collected from 28 various host plants and 80 different localities from six regions of Saudi Arabia from 2009 to 2017, are discussed and presented. The genus <i>Eutetranychus</i> is divided into two species groups based on the presence of one seta (<i>orientalis</i> group) or two setae (<i>banksi</i> group) on coxa II. In addition, seven <i>Eutetranychus</i> species are suggested as synonyms of <i>E.orientalis</i> (Klein, 1936) and <i>E.papayensis</i> Iqbal & Ali, 2008 is considered as species inquirenda. A key to all known species of the genus <i>Eutetranychus</i> is provided.