Fig. 1. Mite Neohypoaspis ampliseta (Laelapidae) associated with Trigona spp. (Apidae: Meliponini) in Panama. Modified from from Delfinado-Baker et al., 1983.

Family Laelapidae | Back | Home | UMMZ Acari

Genus Neohypoaspis Delfinado-Baker, Baker et Roubik, 1983

Neohypoaspis Delfinado-Baker et al., 1983: 197 (type species Neohypoaspis ampliseta Delfinado-Baker, Baker et Roubik, 1983 by original designation).

Neohypoaspis ampliseta Delfinado-Baker, Baker et Roubik, 1983

Neohypoaspis ampliseta Delfinado-Baker et al., 1983: 197 (type species Neohypoaspis ampliseta Delfinado-Baker, Baker et Roubik, 1983 by original designation).

Biology. This species occur in great numbers in the outer sheath of the nests of two species of stingless bees, Trigona fulviventris Guérin, 1835 and Trigona hypogea Silvestri, 1902. It is worth noting that the last bee species is obligate necrophage (Camargo, 1991). The mites were located in the base of the nests, often in areas that can not be reached by the bees. It was shown in the laboratory, that these mites are predators on astigmatid mites normally found in the nests and do not consume pollen or honey. Thus, Neohypoaspis ampliseta is probably beneficial for its bee hosts (Delfinado-Baker et al., 1983).
Hosts. Trigona fulviventris Guérin, 1835; Trigona hypogea Silvestri, 1902 (type species).
Distribution. Panama: Panama Prov. (type locality).


References

 

 

B. OConnor and P. Klimov ©
Created: Apr 20, 2004
Last modified: