First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic

This study confirmed the presence and distribution of the eriophyoid mite Acalitus simplex Flechtmann & Etienne (Acari: Eriophyidae), known as the ruellia erinose mite, in multiple locations across the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Acalitus simplex is an oligophagous mite feeding exclu...

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Main Authors: Cristina A. Gómez-Moya, Marcello De Giosa, Gilberto José de Moraes, Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto, Marisol Morel, Alexandra M Revynthi, Daniel Carrillo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Museo Nacional de Historia Natural "Prof. Eugenio de Jesús Marcano" 2025-07-01
Series:Novitates Caribaea
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Online Access:https://novitatescaribaea.do/index.php/novitates/article/view/381
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author Cristina A. Gómez-Moya
Marcello De Giosa
Gilberto José de Moraes
Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto
Marisol Morel
Alexandra M Revynthi
Daniel Carrillo
author_facet Cristina A. Gómez-Moya
Marcello De Giosa
Gilberto José de Moraes
Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto
Marisol Morel
Alexandra M Revynthi
Daniel Carrillo
author_sort Cristina A. Gómez-Moya
collection DOAJ
description This study confirmed the presence and distribution of the eriophyoid mite Acalitus simplex Flechtmann & Etienne (Acari: Eriophyidae), known as the ruellia erinose mite, in multiple locations across the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Acalitus simplex is an oligophagous mite feeding exclusively on Ruellia species, particularly the widely cultivated ornamental Ruellia simplex, which is valued for its diverse and colorful blooms. Leaves exhibiting characteristic erinea symptoms were collected from 11 outdoor sites including parks, university campuses, and streets throughout the region. Morphological examination of mites extracted from all samples confirmed A. simplex presence across all surveyed locations, representing the first documented record of this species on Hispaniola. This detection extends the mite’s known distribution in the Caribbean, previously reported only from Anguilla, Brazil, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Hawaii and Thailand. This report enhances understanding of the distribution and potential impact of A. simplex in the Caribbean Basin and highlights the need for further surveys and molecular studies to clarify its invasion history and develop effective management.
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2079-0139
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Museo Nacional de Historia Natural "Prof. Eugenio de Jesús Marcano"
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-2da8a7b5e2314f7ba1668549a85f07922025-08-20T03:36:10ZengMuseo Nacional de Historia Natural "Prof. Eugenio de Jesús Marcano"Novitates Caribaea2071-98412079-01392025-07-0126778310.33800/nc.vi26.381363First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican RepublicCristina A. Gómez-Moya0Marcello De Giosa1Gilberto José de Moraes2Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto3Marisol Morel4Alexandra M Revynthi5Daniel Carrillo6Universidad Tecnológica del Cibao Oriental (UTECO), Dominican RepublicUniversity of Florida, USAEscola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ-USP), BrazilDivisión de Ingeniería en Innovación Agrícola Sustentable, TecNM-Tlatlauquitepec, MexicoInstituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF). Dominican RepublicUniversity of Florida, USAUniversity of Florida, USAThis study confirmed the presence and distribution of the eriophyoid mite Acalitus simplex Flechtmann & Etienne (Acari: Eriophyidae), known as the ruellia erinose mite, in multiple locations across the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Acalitus simplex is an oligophagous mite feeding exclusively on Ruellia species, particularly the widely cultivated ornamental Ruellia simplex, which is valued for its diverse and colorful blooms. Leaves exhibiting characteristic erinea symptoms were collected from 11 outdoor sites including parks, university campuses, and streets throughout the region. Morphological examination of mites extracted from all samples confirmed A. simplex presence across all surveyed locations, representing the first documented record of this species on Hispaniola. This detection extends the mite’s known distribution in the Caribbean, previously reported only from Anguilla, Brazil, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Hawaii and Thailand. This report enhances understanding of the distribution and potential impact of A. simplex in the Caribbean Basin and highlights the need for further surveys and molecular studies to clarify its invasion history and develop effective management.https://novitatescaribaea.do/index.php/novitates/article/view/381ruelliamiteornamental plantshispaniolacaribbean
spellingShingle Cristina A. Gómez-Moya
Marcello De Giosa
Gilberto José de Moraes
Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto
Marisol Morel
Alexandra M Revynthi
Daniel Carrillo
First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
Novitates Caribaea
ruellia
mite
ornamental plants
hispaniola
caribbean
title First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
title_full First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
title_fullStr First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
title_full_unstemmed First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
title_short First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic
title_sort first report of acalitus simplex acari eriophyidae in the dominican republic
topic ruellia
mite
ornamental plants
hispaniola
caribbean
url https://novitatescaribaea.do/index.php/novitates/article/view/381
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