A redescription of Allothrombium meridionale Berlese, 1910 (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombidioidea) with notes on biology and developmental malformations

Allothrombium meridionale Berlese, 1910 is redescribed based on type material originating from Italy and specimens collected in Mosel Valley, Germany. Characteristics of larvae, deutonymphs and adults are provided. Data on habitat specificity and phenology of the species as well as on developmental time of larvae are given. Morphological abnormalities have been observed under laboratory conditions in larvae which hatched from eggs not exposed to lower temperatures, contrary to larvae that hatched from eggs after chilling. Larvae of Allothrombium triticium Zhang, 1995 sensu Goldarazena and Zhang (1997), reported from Spain, are considered to represent A. meridionale. An identification key to species of Allothrombium, including central European members of the genus known from adults and world species known from larvae is provided. Phanolophus oedipodarum (Frauenfeld, 1868), is new to the fauna of Germany.