the first report of leptus n. sp. (acari: erythraeidae) as ectoparasite of cassida persica spaeth (coleoptera: chrysomelidae) from oil and gas company of gachsaran

Mites of family erythraeidae are parasites in their larval stage and predators in their post-larval stages on a variety of arthropods, among which are important pest species. during 2011-2013, in a faunistic survey of mites associated with beetles of the family chrysomelidae in oil and gas company of gachsaran region, iran. specimens were preserved in ag (alcohol 75%, glyserin 5%), cleared in lactophenol solution and mounted by hoyer’s medium. mite of the genus leptus (acari: erythraeidae) was removed from larva and adult of cassida persica spaeth (coleoptera: chrysomelidae). the first time in the world c. persica was observed as a new host of leptus n. sp. it is concluded that leptus n. sp. can be considered as a valuable addition to the existing ipm methods for chrysomelid control. description of new species is in process.