First record of the genus Aethiophenax (Acari: Acarophenacidae) from Asia, redefinition of the genus and description of a new species

• First record of the acarophenacid mite genus, Aethiophenax Mahunka, 1981 from Asia
• Aethiophenax luteoli sp. nov. is described and illustrated
• The genus Aethiophenax is redefined and a key to its world species is provided.
• Comparison of legs setation of some selected genera of the family Acarophenacidae
• Review of host range/habitat and distribution of Aethiophenax and its close genus

The parasitoid mite Aethiophenax luteoli sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Acarophenacidae) collected from the beneath elytra of Epuraea (Haptoncus) luteola Erichson, 1843 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is described and illustrated from Mazandaran province, northern Iran. This is the first record of the genus Aethiophenax Mahunka, 1981 from Asia. This genus is redefined and a key to its world species is provided. The host range or habitat and distribution of the genus Aethiophenax and its close genus Paracarophenax Cross, 1965 are reviewed. Moreover, the all legs setation of some selected genera of the family Acarophenacidae is compared.

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