Most Phytoseiulus have a sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
with 3 pairs of setae. Phytoseiulus longipes is unusual in that sternal setaesternal setae:
in Mesostigmata, the five pairs of setae in the intercoxal region designated st1-5; st1-3 are present in the larva and usually are borne on a sternal shield in the adult female; st4, the metasternal setae, are added in the deutonymph, often are borne on metasternal platelets, and sometimes on the sternal shield; st5, the genital setae, are added in the protonymph and usually borne on or are inserted laterad the epigynal shield in the adult female.
st3 are not on the sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. proper, but on small platelets and resembles an extra pair of metasternal setae.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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