New data on Leptotrombidium miniopteri (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) with a description of the adult stage

The adult stage of a bat-parasitizing chigger mite Leptotrombidium miniopteri Feider, 1966 known from Romania was described for the first time based on specimens collected in Hacı Akif Cave located in the Konya Province of Türkiye. The identification was based on the larval offspring obtained from one female kept alive in a laboratory. At the same time, free larvae identified as L. miniopteri were collected in the same place within the cave. A re-description of L. miniopteri larval stage was prepared based both on specimens collected in nature and on those obtained in laboratory. A comparison with closely related species was carried out based on morphometric and meristic traits. Leptotrombidium avonense Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976 described from a bat in England is a probable synonym of L. miniopteri. Morphological variation of larvae and adults of L. miniopteri was recorded and discussed.