| abstract | A new species of mite, Sennertia egyptiaca was described from Egypt. The hypopus was recovered from the special abdominal pouch or “acarinarium” of the carpenter bee, Xylocopa aestuans Linn.. an important pollinator in U.A.R. From 10-40 individual mites were collected from each bee.
The new species is closely related to S. cerambycina Scopoli, but is distinguished by the following characters: the hysterosomal shield is smaller, narrower and almost pointed anteriorly; femur I has no long setae, but femur II does have; external apical setae on tarsus I and II are simple but not lanceolate.
No other developmental stages were obtained. The biological relationship existing between the mite and the bee needs further investigation. |