The Hindu Business Line : Agri scientists discover a new mite ‘Mangalaus’

NEW DELHI: Indian scientists have discovered a mite, which is one of the smallest in the world and causes galls on the leaf of plants, particularly in herbs.

“Taxonomists at the division of entomology in Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) have discovered a new mite christened as 'Mangalaus' with a new species yet to be named,'' the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Monday said in a statement.

This eriophyid is one of the smallest of the arthropods and of the size of 0.2 milimetre (200 microns), the statement added. The mite, collected from IARI (popularly known as Pusa) campus, was discovered three months back when scientists realised that i t could be a new one, said Mr B B Ramamurthy, a scientist involved in the discovery.

He, however, said there is no evidence of this mite in agricultural crops.

Mangalaus causes galls on the leaf called erineum and it was found on 'Indian cherry' (Cordia dichotoma), ICAR said, adding it is strikingly distinct from other mites.

The mite is named after ICAR Director General Mangala Rai but suitably made in Latin form as per international practice, the sources said.

The statement also quoted West Virginia University (USA) acarologist Mr James Amrine saying “this mite has an eye-like ocelli and represents a new genus. The tibiae of legs I and II lack a seta, but all femora have a normal seta and tarsal seta, and it i s sister to Notaceria”. - PTI

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