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Abstract
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The Eriophyoidea (Acari: Trombidiformes) are highly host-specific phytophagous mites of global
distribution, some of which are agriculturally significant as pests or biological control agents.
During a faunistic survey of eriophyoid mites in the Kaz Dağları region (Balıkesir Province,
Türkiye), specimens were collected from Rubus sp. (Rosaceae) in 2024. Eriophyoid mites were
recovered from the plant material by means of a modified washing method and preserved in 70%
ethanol. Specimens were slide-mounted in a modified Hoyer’s medium. Morphological
measurements and identification were carried out using an Olympus BX53 phase-contrast
microscope. As a result, a new species belonging to the genus Trimeroptes Keifer, 1951
(Diptilomiopidae: Diptilomiopinae) was discovered and is described herein. Until now, eight
Trimeroptes species have been described in the world, including: T. aleyrodiformis (Keifer, 1940)
from Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Altingiaceae) in the USA and Dendrobenthamia japonica var.
chinensis (Osborn.) Fang (Cornaceae) in China; T. ilicifolia Keifer, 1964 from Ilex laevigata
(Pursh) Gray. (Aquifoliaceae) in the USA; T. rubi Bagdasarian, 1976 from Rubus sp. (Rosaceae) in
Armenia and Rubus fruticosus L. (Rosaceae) in Italy; T. quercus Xue, Song & Hong, 2006 from
Quercus glauca Thunb. (Fagaceae), T. luanchuanensis Xue & Hong, 2005 from Rubus sp.
(Rosaceae), T. kakius Xie & Zhu, 2010 from Diospyros kaki L. f. (Ebenaceae), T. lambertianus
Wei, Wang & Li, 2008 from Rubus lambertianus Ser. (Rosaceae) and T. bambusae (Kuang & Zhao,
1998) from Bambusa sp. (Bambuseae) in China. The present study reported this genus for the first
time in Türkiye. The mites were vagrant on their host plant, with no visible damage symptoms
observed.
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