First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic

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Published Jul 23, 2025
DOI https://doi.org/10.33800/nc.vi26.381
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Cristina A. Gómez-Moya
Universidad Tecnológica del Cibao Oriental (UTECO), Dominican Republic
Marcello De Giosa
University of Florida, USA
Gilberto José de Moraes
Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ-USP), Brazil
Jesús Alberto Acuña Soto
División de Ingeniería en Innovación Agrícola Sustentable, TecNM-Tlatlauquitepec, Mexico
Marisol Morel
Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF). Dominican Republic
Alexandra M. Revynthi
University of Florida, USA
Daniel Carrillo
University of Florida, USA

Abstract

This study confirmed the presence and distribution of the eriophyoid mite Acalitus simplex Flechtmann & Etienne (Acari: Eriophyidae), known as the ruellia erinose mite, in multiple locations across the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Acalitus simplex is an oligophagous mite feeding exclusively on Ruellia species, particularly the widely cultivated ornamental Ruellia simplex, which is valued for its diverse and colorful blooms. Leaves exhibiting characteristic erinea symptoms were collected from 11 outdoor sites including parks, university campuses, and streets throughout the region. Morphological examination of mites extracted from all samples confirmed A. simplex presence across all surveyed locations, representing the first documented record of this species on Hispaniola. This detection extends the mite’s known distribution in the Caribbean, previously reported only from Anguilla, Brazil, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Hawaii and Thailand. This report enhances understanding of the distribution and potential impact of A. simplex in the Caribbean Basin and highlights the need for further surveys and molecular studies to clarify its invasion history and develop effective management.

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Ruellia, mite, ornamental plants, Hispaniola, Caribbean

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Issue
No. 26 (2025): Novitates Caribaea - July
Section
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How to Cite

Gómez-Moya, C. A., De Giosa, M., de Moraes, G. J., Acuña Soto, J. A., Morel, M., Revynthi, A. M., & Carrillo, D. (2025). First report of Acalitus simplex (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Dominican Republic. Novitates Caribaea, (26), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.33800/nc.vi26.381

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