Euseius spermahyphus (Ueckermann & Loots) (Fig. 38)

Amblyseius (Amblyseius) spermahyphus Ueckermann & Loots, 1988: 107

FEMALE (Specimens measured – Benin: 4).

Dorsum – Dorsal shield with scanty lateral striation anterior to Z1, 313(288­336) long, 209(197­224) wide, j1 31(29­32), j3 16(14­18), j4 and j5 6(5­8), j6 8(6­10), J2 10(8­11), J5 5(5­6), z2 10(8­13), z4 18(16­19), z5 8, Z1 8(8­10), Z4 10, Z5 55(53­56), s4 39(37­42), S2 and S4 12(10­16), S5 11(10­13), r3 17(14­19), R1 9(8­11). Dorsal setae smooth, except Z5, which are serrate.

Peritreme – Reaching level between z2 and z4.

Venter – All ventral shields smooth. Distances between ST1­ST3 57(56­59), ST2­ST2 63(61­67), ST5­ST5 74(70­83). With 2 pairs of metapodal shields. Ventrianal shield 100(96­106) long, 68(66­75) wide at ZV2 level and 62(58­66) wide at anus level.

Spermatheca – Calyx 22(21­24) long, filamentous; atrium barely distinguishable; minor duct proeminent.

Legs – Macrosetae with slightly blunt tips: SgeII 24(22­26), SgeIII 26(24­29), StiIII 22(19­26), SgeIV 45(43­46), StiIV 32(29­35), StIV 58(53­61). MALE (Specimens measured – Benin: 1).

Dorsum – Dorsal shield as in female, 245 long, 134 wide, j1 22, j3 11, j4 and j5 5, j6 and J2 8, J5 5, z2 8, z4 13, z5 6, Z1 10, Z4 8, Z5 43, s4 29, S2, S4 and S5 11, r3 13, R1 10. Dorsal setae smooth, except of Z5 which are serrate.

Peritreme – Reaching level between z2 and z4.

Venter – Ventrianal shield 99 long, 128 wide at anterior corners.

Chelicera – Shaft of spermatodactyl 19 long.

Legs – Macrosetae sharp­tipped: SgeII 19, SgeIII 21, StiIII 18, SgeIV 30, StiIV 29, StIV 45.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Benin: Atcherigbe, on Andropogon sp., 9­IX­91 and on Manihot esculenta, 6­XI­91, A. Onzo. South Africa: 10 km from Loskop Dam on the road to Groblersdal, Mpumalanga Province, on Lippia javanica, 27­II­1975, L.C.Smit; near Groblersdal, Mpumalanga Province, on grass, 19­IV­1979, E.A. Ueckermann; Montrose, Mpumalanga Province, on Achyranthes aspera, 25­III­1976, M.K.P. Meyer; Pineapple Research Station, East London, Eastern Cape Province, on Senecio pterophorus, 30­XI­ 1977, M.K.P. Meyer; Pineapple Research Station, East London, Province of the Eastern Cape, on Entada spicata, 30­XI­1977, M.K.P. Meyer; Pongola, Province of Kwazulu/ Natal, on an unidentified reed, 19­VIII­1980, M.KP. Meyer.