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VOL. 10, ISSUE 4 (2025)
A new Eriophyoid mite causing damage to creeping fig plant, from India
Authors
Sanjay Sarkar
Abstract
Eryphyoid mites are tiny microscopic arachnids
of the order Acari. They are obligatory plant parasites and cause damage to the
plant by their sap sucking habits. During routine taxonomic field for work
particularly for this group of mites in the sub Himalayan plains of Northeast
are of India, a new parasitic mite Diptilomiopus ficicolus n. sp.
belonging to family Diptilomiopidae is noticed along the ventral surface of the
leaves of Ficus heterophylla L. (Moraceae). Ficus heterophylla,
also known as Creeping fig, holds importance due to its medicinal uses,
with parts of the plant used to treat conditions like rheumatism, ear
infections, and as a poultice. The new species of the mite produces damage to
the leaves of this beneficial plant by its sucking habit. This new mite species
is studied thoroughly from the taxonomic point of view and described with
proper illustrations from the collected specimen from northern district of West
Bengal, India (Latitude: 24°50′40″ N and Longitude: 87°55′50″ E). After proper
taxonomic diagnosis, the new mite is named according to the rules laid by the
ICZN and the type specimens are registered in ZooBank account. The relationship
of mite with its host plant is also discussed in this article. Taxonomic
knowledge of the parasitic mite is very much essential for the proper
eradication and control of this pest species.
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Pages:19-23
How to cite this article:
Sanjay Sarkar "A new Eriophyoid mite causing damage to creeping fig plant<i>,</i> from India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 19-23
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