Systematics: A new species of Leipothrix (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) on Dipsacus spp. in Europe and reassignment of two Epitrimerus spp. (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) to the genus Leipothrix

Abstract

A new species of eriophyid mite, Leipothrix dipsacivagus n. sp. (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae), collected from Dipsacus laciniatus L. (Dipsacaceae) and Dipsacus fullonum L. in Serbia, Bulgaria, and France, is described and illustrated. Differential diagnosis is provided in comparison with Leipothrix knautiae (Liro) n. comb., and Leipothrix succisae (Roivainen) n. comb., two species that also are proposed here for reassignment from the genus Epitrimerus Nalepa to the genus Leipothrix Keifer, within the family Eriophyidae. L. dipsacivagus n. sp. is being investigated as a candidate for biological control of invasive Dipsacus spp. in the United States.