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Kapaxidi et al. 90
sis is limited. Short and Buss (10) reported
that one generation can develop in 7 to 10
days and individuals may be active most
of the year in Florida (U.S.A). All life stages
(eggs, nymphs, adults) live under the leaf
sheath. The population grows during late
spring and summer. Mites may disperse
by the help of the wind, or on other in-
sects and by grass clippings. Infestations
usually develop in the taller grass (rough
areas, around sand traps, along canals,
fence rows etc.). The population of mites
varies from a few to a hundred or more in-
dividuals in a single sheath. They are less
abundant in lawns where flood irrigation
is used. The variety of grass seems to be
an important factor in susceptibility to at-
tack, thus A. cynodoniensis is character-
ized as an extremely specific species (12).
Soil fertilization seems also to increase the
infestation (13).
Literature Cited
Amrine, J.W., Stasny, T.A. and Flechtmann, 1.
C.H.W. 2003. Revised Keys to World Genera of
Eriophyoidea (Acari: Prostigmata). Indira Pub-
lishing House, Michigan, 244 p.
Barke, H.E. and Davis, R. 1971. 2. Some eriophy-
id mites occurring in Georgia with descrip-
tions of four new species. Journal of the Geor-
gia Entomological Society, 6: 157-169.
Davis, R. 1964. Some eriophyid mites occur- 3.
ring in Georgia with descriptions of three
new species. Florida Entomologist, 47: 17-27.
Keifer, H.H. 1960. 4. Eriophyid studies. B-1. Spe-
cial Publication, State Bureau of Entomology,
California Department of Agriculture. 20 p.
Keifer, H.H., Baker, E.W., Kono, T., Delfinado, 5.
M. and Styer, W.E. 1982. An Illustrated Guide to
Plant Abnormalities Caused by Eriophyid Mites
in North America. United States Department
of Agriculture, 178 p.
Krantz, G.W. 1978. 6. A manual of Acarology. 2 nd
Edition. Oregon State University Bookstore,
Corvallis, Oregon, 509 p.
Meyer, M.K.P. 1968. The grass stunt mite, 7. Ace-
ria neocynodonis Keifer in South Africa. South
African Journal of Agrcicultural Science, 11:
803-804.
Naumann, I.D. 1993. 8. CSIRO Handbook of Au-
Figure 1. Aceria cynodoniensis Sayed: A. adult female, B. cox-
al region and genital shield, C. empodium raylets, D. Micro-
tubercules.
Figure 2. Bermuda grass mite, A. cynodoniensis: microscope
photograph of a female propodosoma.