A complementary description of Neoseiulus longilaterus (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on additional specimens from Iran

A complementary description of Neoseiulus longilaterus (Athias-Henriot) is presented based on adult female specimens collected in Iran, marking the first record of this species in the country. Specimens of this species were collected in galls of an unidentified eriophyid mite on desert thorn leaves (Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult., Solanaceae). While Chant & McMurtry (2003) categorized this species within the cucumeris species group of Neoseiulus Hughes, its morphological characteristics align more closely with some species from the paspalivorus group. Therefore, we provisionally classify N. longilaterus within the paspalivorus group. In addition, an updated and revised key for identifying the known species in the latter group is also provided. We also consider N. engaddensis syn. nov. as a junior synonym of N. longilaterus.