Trombidiformes 149 



eriophyids is somewhat similar to that of the genus DoUchotetranychiis 

 in the family Phytoptipalpidae. The stylet-like chelicerae and the gen- 

 eral biology of the group also indicate a common ancestry with the 

 plant-feeding Tetranychidae and Phytoptipalpidae. 



Key to the Eriophyidae 



(from Keifer) 



1. Three or four setiferous tubercles on shield; rear pair of tuber- 

 cles always bearing setae that point forward; anterior pair of sub- 

 dorsal abdominal setae present or absent; foretibia usually with 

 lateral spur; hind patellar seta often laterally placed; female 

 coverflap smooth; female genital glands elliptical or elongate, aris- 

 ing from ducts that project forward and then recurve laterally 2 



One pair of setiferous tubercles on cephalothoracic shield, or 

 these absent; no subdorsal abdominal setae; no lateral spur on 

 foretibia; hind patellar seta always arising from above; female 

 genital coverflap variously sculptured or smooth; female genital 

 glands usually subcircular and on short lateral or diagonally, pos- 

 teriorly directed ducts originating from rear of genital opening 3 



2. Shield with no anterior lobe over rostrum; abdomen wormlike 

 with rings similar dorsoventrally Phytoptinae 



Shield with anterior lobe over rostrum which is sometimes very 

 short; abdomen divided laterally into broader tergites, and more 

 numerous narrower sternites Sierraphytoptinae 



3. Shield never with lobe overhanging rostrum; abdomen wormlike, 

 with rings similar above and below, at least anteriorly; when ros- 

 trum large, not set at right angles to body and with evenly curved 

 chelicerae Eriophyinae 



Shield usually with anterior lobe over rostrum; abdomen most 

 often divided laterally into broader tergites and narrower ster- 

 nites; or with large tapering rostrum, set at right angles to body, 

 and with large chelicerae abruptly downcurved in from rostrum 

 base Phyllocoptinae 



Phytoptinae Keifer, 1944 



Genera: 



1. Phytoptus DuJardin, 1851 



Type. Eriophyes avellanae Nalepa, 1889 



2. Setoptus Keifer, 1944 



Type. "Platy phytoptus" jonesi Keifer, 1938 



