Leptus alberti n. sp. (Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) parasitizing free-living colonies of Apis mellifera, Partamona peckolti, Paratrigona eutaeniata and Tetragonisca angustula in Totoro and Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

ABSTRACT: This study examined the ectoparasites in free-living wild bee colonies in Totoró, Cauca Department, and Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Researchers collected 2116 bee specimens: 620 from Cauca (200 Apis mellifera, 320 Partamona peckolti, and 100 Paratrigona eutaeniata) and 1496 from Valle del Cauca (Dagua, Tocota, Buga, Cali, Pradera), including 1498 A. mellifera and 48 Tetragonisca angustula. Using microscopic and stereoscopic techniques and a special taxonomic key, the study identified the first recorded presence of Leptus (Leptus) alberti n. sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) in colonies of free-living Africanized A. mellifera and stingless bees, including P. peckolti, P. eutaeniata, and T. angustula in Cauca and Valle del Cauca. This finding updates the reported species for South America. The presen

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Quilindo BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11649092 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature