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Diadasiopus

Harmfulness rating

HARMFUL | NOT HARMFUL | UNCERTAIN

lives in bee nests and disperses on bees, but feeding behavior not known

Name

Diadasiopus OConnor, 1997OConnor, 1997:
OConnor, B. M. 1997. Two new mites (Acari: Acaridae) associated with long-tongued bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in North America. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society . 69 : 15-34.

Taxonomy

Superorder Acariformes » Order Sarcoptiformes » Suborder Oribatida » Infraorder Desmonomata » Hyporder Astigmata » Family Acaridae » Genus Diadasiopus

Type species

Diadasiopus eickworti OConnor, 1997OConnor, 1997:
OConnor, B. M. 1997. Two new mites (Acari: Acaridae) associated with long-tongued bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in North America. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society . 69 : 15-34.

Diagnosis

Phoretic deutonymphphoretic deutonymph:
An active nymphal stage in Astigmata that serves for dispersal on arthropod or vertebrate hosts. A subtype of heteromorphic deutonymph. See Life stages page for more details.
: Dorsum with longitudinal striations (Fig. 1). Coxal setae 1a, 3a filiform and long (4a conoidal) (Figs. 2, 3). Setae e I-II and solenidionsolenidion:
Thin-walled, terminally rounded or pointed filiform or peglike structure that is not birefringent in polarized light (unlike common setae in Acariformes). Often appears striated because of its internal structure. Found on the palpal tarsus on the gnathosoma and may also occur on the tarsus and tibia, less frequently on the genu, and occasionally on the femur of legs I-IV. In Acariformes, leg solenidia often arise from unsclerotized areas.
ω2 absent (Fig. 4). Tarsustarsus:
Terminal segment (also known as podomere or palpomere) of legs or palps. In Parasitoformes it can be subdivided into telotarsus and basitarsus.
IV with 2 long setae (w and f) (Fig. 5).

Species identification

The two known species of Diadasiopus can be separated using OConnor and Daneshvar, 1999OConnor and Daneshvar, 1999:
OConnor, B. M. amp; G. Daneshvar. 1999. A new species of Diadasiopus (Acari: Acaridae) associated with Diadasia chiliensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Chile. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Special Publication.24: 207-210..

Distribution

Nearctic and Neotropical regions

Bee hosts

Diadasia; rarely Anthophora

Host association level

permanentpermanent:
associated exclusively with bees or their close relative, wasps; cannot live without these hosts

Host associations, feeding, and dispersal

  • All stages live in nests of bees of the genus Diadasia; feeding habit is unknown.
  • Phoretic deutonymphsphoretic deutonymph:
    An active nymphal stage in Astigmata that serves for dispersal on arthropod or vertebrate hosts. A subtype of heteromorphic deutonymph. See Life stages page for more details.
     disperse on bee hosts.
Fig. 1. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph, dorsal view.

Fig. 1. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph, dorsal view.
Fig. 2. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph, ventral view.

Fig. 2. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph, ventral view.
Fig. 3. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph posterior idiosoma, ventral view.

Fig. 3. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph posterior idiosoma, ventral view.
Fig. 4. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph legs I-II, dorsal view.

Fig. 4. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph legs I-II, dorsal view.
Fig. 5. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph legs III-IV, ventral view.

Fig. 5. Diadasiopus eickworti holotype phoretic deutonymph legs III-IV, ventral view.
Fig. 6. Phoretic deutonymphs of Diadasiopus eickworti on bee Diadasia opuntiae; photo by Lindsey Seastone amp; Laura Hartmann, ITP.

Fig. 6. Phoretic deutonymphs of Diadasiopus eickworti on bee Diadasia opuntiae; photo by Lindsey Seastone & Laura Hartmann, ITP.
Fig. 7. Phoretic deutonymphs of Diadasiopus on bee Diadasia consociata; photo by Lindsey Seastone amp; Laura Hartmann, ITP.

Fig. 7. Phoretic deutonymphs of Diadasiopus on bee Diadasia consociata; photo by Lindsey Seastone & Laura Hartmann, ITP.