Phyllocoptes cacolyptae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) a new species from Eucalyptus spp. in Italy.

Specimens of an unknown species of Phyllocoptes (Eriophyidae Phyllocoptinae) were collected from the shoots of three Eucalyptus species (Myrtaceae) in North-Western Italy. The mite, herein described as Phyllocoptes cacolyptae n. sp., was associated with the death of apical buds and the development of rearranged and deformed shoots causing yield loss in the quantity and quality of green cut foliage. The damage appeared to be more severe on Eucalyptus pulverulenta Sims cultivar “Baby Blue”, than on Eucalyptus cinerea F. Muell. ex Benth. and Eucalyptus ovata Labill. The mite was found also in the Department of Var (France). It is the first record of an eriophyoid mite on gum trees in the European and Mediterranean basin. Remarks are provided on the eriophyoid mites currently associated to Eucalyptus spp.