Revisiting the genus Sphexicozela (Winterschmidtiidae): redescription of S. connivens Mahunka and description of a new species from Brazil
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Sphexicozela Mahunka (Sarcoptiformes: Astigmatina: Winterschmidtiidae) was until now represented by a single described species, S. connivens Mahunka, 1970, found in Hungary in nests of Polistes species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). In this study, we provide a redescription of S. connivens and describe Sphexicozela neotropica Godoy and Prado sp. nov., based on specimens collected from nests of Polistes simillimus Zikán in southeastern Brazil. This is the first record of the genus in the Neotropical region and highlights a previously undocumented association between Ensliniellinae mites and the social wasp P. simillimus.
Source: Acarologia
DOI: 10.24349/q0jg-px66
Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, Institut Agro Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
Language: English
Topic: Study of Mite Species
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7122592106