A New Genus and Species of Pygmephoridae (Acari: Heterostigmata) Associated with the Halictid Bees in Japan

Abstract

A new genus and species of pygmephorid mite belonging to the subfamily Neopygmephorinae is described and illusstrated from Japan under the name of Rhinopygmephorus rhopalomelissae. It is known only from the adult female and found attached to the body of the halictid bees, Rhopalomelissa yasumatsui Hirayama and Sphecodes scabricollis Wesmael. The new genus at a glance resembles Rackia Mahunka and Xystrorostrum Mahunka in possesing prolonged gnathosoma, but is easily distinguidshed from the latter by having much wider anterior coxisterna, apodemes 1 extending not so close to apodemes 2 posteriorly, poorly developed apodeme2, moderately thick tibiotarsus I with a strong claw and a stout process opposale to claw base, and in lacking secondary transverse apodeme.