<p>First record of two eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) on Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) from Egypt</p>

Abstract

Eriophyoid mites offer a significant ecosystem service by weed control. They induce malformations (leaf rolling, erinea, galls, stunting growth, blistering), rusting, bronzing, damages of seeds, and transmit viruses to their host plants. During a survey in Egypt, two eriophyoid species were recorded for the first time in the country on Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) which has a worldwide relevance as weed: Eriophyes rotundae Mohanasundaram (Eriophyidae) and Oziella gigantica (Mohanasundaram) (Phytoptidae). Both species are vagrants underneath the inner surface of the leaf sheath around the stem, even though they can cause leaf rusting which leads to drying and death of the plants. A complementary description of the two species was presented, based on adult females. In addition, male and immature stages of O. gigantica and E. rotundae were described in detail for the first time. Furthermore, the checklist and morphological key for eriophyoid mite species associated with Cyperus plants worldwide were updated.

Keywords

• Eriophyes
• Eriophyidae
• new record
• Phytoptidae
• Oziella
• weeds