Body characters reflecting the body size of spider mites in flattened specimens (Acari, Tetranychidae)

Abstract

We examined the morphological characters of two spider mite species, in order to identify characters that accurately reflect mite body size regardless of mounting method. Several body characteristics of flattened and non-flattened specimens of Schizotetranychus longus Saito and S. miscanthi Saito were investigated. There were several characters which were not influenced by mounting conditions regardless of sex and species, and which reflected body length and width well. The distance (DL1) between the bases of P1 (dorsal propodosomal seta) and CL (clunal seta) was a relatively stable character reflecting body size under both mounting conditions, i.e. flattened and non-flattened, and appears to be the best character to estimate body length. Body width was reflected by DW1 alone, the distance between the bases of paired P3 setae (dorsal propodosomal seta). It is, however, a stable enough character, under both mounting conditions, to be suitable for estimating body width.